Gas or Biting Point First? How to Move Off In a Manual Car

How do you move off in a manual car without stalling? This video shows you how to drive off in a manual petrol or diesel car without stalling. You'll see the answer to if you should press the gas or clutch to go in a car.

If you're new to driving a manual car, you may be wondering what the correct sequence is when it comes to pressing the gas and clutch to move off without stalling. Fear not, as we're here to help you understand the proper way to get your car moving smoothly.

Learning to drive a manual car can be a bit of a pain during your first driving lessons. But give it a chance and you'll hopefully find it REALLY fun once you get to grips with it. Like most things, it just takes a bit of time and practice.

Thank you very much for watching our video! We REALLY hope it helps you drive safely and pass your driving test.

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00:00 Gas or clutch first intro
00:40 Clutch or gas first demonstrations
01:36 Hill start
02:26 Gas or clutch first overview
03:42 Outro

If you're learning to drive, then it's highly recommended that you take driving lessons from a fully qualified driving instructor. This video is NOT an alternative to professional driving lessons and is only a rough guide. This video was filmed in the UK. Laws and rules in your country may vary. You are responsible for driving safely and legally. While World Driving aims to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee at any time that all the information is up-to-date and accurate. The makers of this video cannot accept liability for misleading or inaccurate information or omissions in information given to us by external information providers. This includes, but is not by way of limitation:
■ Any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
■ Any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information
■ Any decision made, or action taken or not taken in reliance upon the information.

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[worlddriving]

🙂 Subscribing really helps us make more videos

[ZachAsaD]

The exact issue I had when learning last year. Was shown in a diesel, was taught to raise the clutch without gas but then I changed instructors and her petrol car I just kept stalling all the time. I had to do the test in my own car in the end

[trynagta]

Always good to give it gas, because some manual gearboxes do have a slightly springy clutch pedal. You're spot on for downhill driving! Don't always have to do so! Love this channel bruv!

[blacksabbath]

Thank you so much! I was releasing clutch first and then pressing the gas. As you rightly pointed out, take off is not very smooth and it's a bit nerve wrecking during bumper to bumper traffic - I have to adjust clutch and gas quite a bit to avoid stalling. You are a life saver.

[harveyh]

I was learning in same car as you have here. Bought my first car recently with an older clutch stalling all over the place 😂. This is really helpful thank you!

[jamescairns]

I passed last year (thanks in part to your videos); I still get so much out of your videos and enjoy watching them. Thanks mate

[daviemac]

I've got a Fiesta Zetec, 2019 and it'll move off fine with just the clutch on the level.

[GoBackToPort]

I always go with both. I keep the clutch engaged whilst starting up the car, then put the car into 1st gear when I’m ready to move. Then it’s somewhat of a seesaw motion with the gas and clutch. Clutch rises at the same pace as gas is applied. This is done for both petrol and diesel vehicles. However diesels can get away with less gas initially to get you started (great to know in the event of ice)

[aashirmahmood]

Hi chris your good and clean explaintion help me my driving test yesterday...the way u explain everything is just amazing....thanks sir

[DreamcastFan-]

Hi Chris, I just wanted to pop onto your latest video comments to thank you for the content you provide here.

Your videos were a wonderful learning tool, filling the time between lessons to keep my knowledge up, and today I passed with 3 minors.

Thank you!

[becxalxbm]

good morning chris fantastic imformative video as always..(especially for people currently learning) me i always put a little gas first and i love my diesel (as petrol my first car) was usually a little more troublesome with clutch/stalling chances...much love cxx

[Augie..]

Usually it would make more sense to add gas right before the bite point. Even if it’s basically an inch away, just let out the clutch some; then add gas while you’re not quite at the bite point. Essentially the same as adding gas first before even letting out the clutch

[darylconnolly]

I been doing lesson in a diesel golf and bought myself a petrol Corsa today, stalled it so many times, had nobody to tell me any different so I was panicking thinking the clutch was bad 😂

[gowthamreddy]

Hi Chris,
Can you please let us know about your show made and model to know more about that. Because that really makes difference as you said while driving.

[mafiagaming]

Sir the second method is useful for both the cars of petrol and Diesel and does the second method affect the clutch plate

[worlddriving]

🙂Thanks for watching! Subscribing really helps us make more videos.

[JoshAston]

I did a couple of 'unofficial' driving lessons years ago, while my mate's dad was planning to become an instructor. He told me to add gas first to about 10mph then raise the clutch gently ("by the thickness of a pound coin")

Just done my first 'real' lesson with an instructor and he taught me to lift the clutch first then add the gas. Obviously I stalled a couple of times in doing so.

Is there a reason/benefit to raising the clutch first? I'm wondering if he'll eventually tell me to apply gas first and just wants me to get a feel for moving off slowly with the clutch only, as that is probably better when crawling in traffic?

[Applex]

Is this going to work in diesel cars? I know the clutch method, but I'll only need to apply gas before bringing the clutch up to get a smooth move off.

[hussainal-baghdadi]

So clutch down little gas - bitting point little bit more gas than foot of clutch?

[agneskardos]

So my instructor has a petrol car with an electric hand break. I have been taught to bring the clutch up to the biting point and press the gas pedal to release the hand break. I always remove my leg from the pedal because that is how I have been told. I didn't stole the car but now I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly or not. I will ask next time, but if you have any tips, it would be nice to hear them. Thank you.