Racing driver's basic stick shift tips for new drivers

Casey Putsch talks about the basic points of driving a manual transmission in his Porsche 944 for everyday and new drivers. Other videos in the series explain Toe-heel downshifting, double clutch shifts, how much to slip a clutch, and tempo, but this one is all about the basics.

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[fila]

I found perfect analogy on how to use clutch when you wanna start from standstill. Release clutch just like you try to release silent fart on a date :D

[john-vyml]

When u like a channel so much that u watch video to the end even though u have been driving manual for 45 years. Great video Casey

[LuminousPath]

"Let the car talk to you"

That's the key. When I was first learning how to drive a stick, nothing anyone ever said made any sense. A manual transmission is a completely tactile experience. There's a lot going on, and very few people can explain it well. Just be patient and pay attention, and you'll have it down in a few weeks.

[JeffHendricks]

I've been driving stick for over 30 years, but somehow, I'm still here enjoying watching Casey talk about it.

[Jonas-blcz]

As a european guy, I AM going to take shifting advice from a yank, just to be a contrarian!
In all seriousness though, there's always something to learn, and I always walk away (okay still sitting on my ass) from Casey's videos having learnt something new.

[realdude]

Remember you have a race gear on your car. When at your highest gear shift into R for "race mode"

[E.AtreidesIV]

Uhh so I found this channel because I got a manual shift car, now a year later, I still love watching this. Thank you for helping me be a better driver Casey.

[That_ViperDude]

I love feathering the clutch in my Viper. Its an art creeping down main St here in Huntington Beach at 4 mph with out the car studdering. Im so glad i learned stick at age 16 in a 1988 Toyota Carolla:)

[Nismo]

Hi Casey, I noticed most your videos are more guided towards beginners. I was hoping you could make a more advance video, maybe for aspiring circuit racers and just maybe get your thoughts and advice on things like trail braking, traction circles, slip angles, when you should brake, when you should be throttle, how should the those things overlap, how to be smooth, but quick, ect.. thanks for reading.

[LeViIain]

I heel-toe downshift down to first gear at every stop, every red light, in traffic too. The tactile feedback through my whole body paired with the sound it gives when you do it properly is just too satisfying and fun to me. It never feels like a task, people look at me weird sometimes, first gear can be loud but who cares I'm having a blast!

[nicolecherry]

I think you should do a video explaining how to approach manuals from different cars. Like 5 different, distinct cars.
1. Low Torque 4 cylinder Commuter Compact
2. Full Size Family/Luxury Sedan V6 or V8
3. Diesal/Large Displacement Truck
4. High Horsepower/ High Torque Muscle/Sports Car
5. Low Displacement/High Revving Compact Sports Car

I feel like due to drastically different aero, weight, power numbers, gears, purpose of use will mean approaching these in a manual will be far different and covering these different types of cars will pretty much cover anything except a commercial/agricultural vehicle.

[LazerLord]

Some modern stick shifts are faster than CVT offerings, at least with my honda fit, lol. I think it gets a whole second on the 0-60 time between the CVT and manual. I guess that losses in the transmission make a big difference when you have like 130HP.

[tienenaar]

One of the basics my driving instructor gave me was seating position, not lying down like any racer kid or sitting with my nose mere inches away from my steering wheel, same with sitting to high with your head against the roof or too low so you alsmost don't see over the dashboard. And also good mirror positioning. If you don't see where you are going and around you and don't have good control of the car (a.k.a bad seating position) controling a car can be hard.

[future_phonk]

When I started driving manual for the first-time, I was so focused on the tachometer and still stalling and rough with my shifts.

Until I just tried to do it by listening to the car and feel the clutch slip and engage. That's when it clicked, and I got much smoother at driving & shifting.

[forneverarrow]

I am a European (pro driver + stick shifting all the day) and i have to admit that you are a great manual driver! God save the manuals!!

[TheVikingRaid]

at 3:00 when he's talking about why to drive stick. when i told my friends i want to get a stick shift car and they said why, all i could really say was that its more fun to drive. glad that sentiment is shared

[kevinhugas]

Thank you for the helpful video! I'm a 17 year old with a manual transmission 2003 toyota camry. I've been really enjoying the connection a manual transmission gives to the driving experience and it definitely makes it more enjoyable. Always a pleasure hearing your viewpoint on this beautiful hobby and I wish you all the best of luck!

[lentavakomppi]

I’m european. You give awesome tips! 24year behind wheel. First half with manual and the other half with automatic. Love automatic but sometimes have to drive manual because of work etc. Great tips to remind me what to do. Greetings from Finland!

[LazerLord]

Got my first stick-shift a few months ago, still feel like an idiot sometimes. I still can't seem to get a consistently smooth 1-2 shift. There's also some kind of creaking noise in first gear and also from 1-2?? Not sure what's going on there.

[arianah]

The thing I found looking at used cars for my daughter was the manuals are cheaper and low mileage. I read the transmission of manuals can last up to 300k Niles. So they can last a long time. Great video I got my daughter watching them. Bravo!