What are the steps to start a manual transmission car?
2 Answers
Steps to start a manual transmission car: Fully depress the clutch; Shift into first gear; Turn on the left turn signal; Honk the horn to alert; Release the handbrake; Gently lift the left foot off the clutch; The vehicle begins to move, at this time, pay attention to keep the left foot steady on the clutch without pressing down or lifting to avoid stalling; Hold steady for 3 seconds, then slowly release the clutch while gently pressing the accelerator with the right foot, slowly release the accelerator, fully depress the clutch and shift to 2nd gear, repeat this step to shift to 3rd gear, and the vehicle will start smoothly. Manual transmission working principle: By using the shift fork to change the transmission ratio (gear ratio) of the meshing gears, thereby altering the driving torque to suit different operating conditions.
As a novice who just started learning to drive, I've experienced the nervous process of starting a manual transmission car. First, I must sit in the driver's seat and adjust my posture to ensure comfort, then press the clutch pedal all the way down to disconnect the engine from the gearbox. Next, use my right hand to gently push the gear lever into first position without excessive force. Lightly press the accelerator with my right foot to raise the RPM to around 1500, then slowly lift the clutch pedal with my left foot to find the friction point—at this moment, the car body will slightly vibrate with a feeling of wanting to move but not quite, requiring steady control without rushing. Once the car starts moving, quickly release the clutch completely while continuing to apply throttle with the right foot to accelerate. The most common mistakes beginners make are: 1) releasing the clutch too quickly causing the engine to stall and requiring restart, and 2) pressing the accelerator too hard making the car lurch forward unsteadily, especially when starting on a slope where the handbrake should be used as assistance—engage it first then operate step by step to prevent rolling backward. Practicing several times in an open area helps find the rhythm, and every successful start gives me more confidence in learning to drive.
