What is the correct way to use a manual transmission car?
2 Answers
The correct way to use a manual transmission car is: 1. Depress the clutch and turn the key to the ACC position, wait for about 3 to 5 seconds, then turn to the START position to ignite; 2. Depress the clutch, shift into first gear, and release the handbrake. A manual transmission car uses a manual shift mechanical transmission to adjust the speed. It changes the gear meshing position inside the transmission by manually moving the gear lever, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed change. The gears of a manual transmission are divided into: 1. First gear is the starting gear, used when the car starts; 2. Second gear is the passing gear; 3. Third gear is the transition gear; 4. Fourth gear is the driving gear; 5. Fifth gear is the high-speed gear.
I've been driving for many years, and the key to manual transmission lies in the coordination of clutch and throttle, as well as the timing of gear shifts. When starting off, gently lift the clutch while slowly pressing the accelerator to find a balance point that prevents the car from shaking or stalling. Don’t just rely on the speedometer when shifting gears—listen to the engine sound or feel the vibrations; the smoothest shifts occur between 2,000 to 3,000 RPM, avoiding high gear at low speeds or low gear at high speeds to save fuel. Hill starts are tricky: pull the handbrake, press the clutch, engage first gear, slowly release the clutch while adding throttle, and release the handbrake in one smooth motion without panicking. Make it a habit to shift to neutral and engage the handbrake when parked to avoid wearing out the clutch plate by keeping it pressed. I often drive on mountain roads, where manual transmission is more fuel-efficient and controllable. Each gear shift feels like keeping a rhythm, and once mastered, the drive becomes smooth and safe. With enough practice, it becomes second nature.