How to drive a manual / standard car

In this video I describe how to use the clutch to shift a manual car.

[earthling]

Thanks much! I enjoy helping people :) This car is a 2013 Subaru BRZ. Not married anymore, that girl was no good. But living life and loving it :) Have a great 2013!

[earthling]

Thanks so much for your kind comment! And keep at it! Manual cars are a bit frustrating until you get a hang of them, but once your muscles get a memory of where to move to... well, then it becomes a lot of fun!

[earthling]

well I will do a more in dept vehicle later. This video was mostly for people who had never even sat in a drivers seat of a stick shift car, just to give them the basics of how shifting works.

[earthling]

In the USA the majority of cars and drivers use automatic. Stick shift is primarily used in USA for sports cars, or other specific reasons, although it does some still on many cars as an option, most people here go for the automatic.

[earthling]

agreed, holding in clutch is fine for stop signs on slow streets when going into first is just a couple seconds away; however, for long stops, you should stay in gear, and even downshift if necessary.

[zeredld]

Nice video, earthling1984! I used to drive a 1990 6 Speed Corvette ZR-1, so well versed in the manual shifting. This video is very good for those who are not. Thanks for your time you put into your videos.

[PaigeWithAnEye]

hey thanks for the tutorial! i am from the uk and about to start driving lessons, gear changes have always 'scared' me becuase i thought they were really confusing but after this i can go into my lessons with a tad more confidence! thanks again :)

[earthling]

ok, I'll probably make more car videos and more about manual cars :)

[earthling]

I always start in neutral, but with newer cars you have to hold clutch down for it to start, it won't even attempt to start unless clutch is to floor.

[dphotos]

I have a restored 1967 Triumph TR4A and I love my car. I never start my car while in gear. That saves wear and tear on the pressure plate. Have fun with your new car.

[earthling]

yes, it has been freezing out, but I have a couple planes I want to get reviewed and in the air soon. I've done a few small heli videos because it's just so cold around here haven't been able to get out and fly much the last 2 months.

[earthling]

it's not a problem because the shifter has a little thing you pull, hard to explain, but basically you can't go left, and into reverse, unless you pull up a 'button' (for lack of better word). So first gear is really furthest left and up, an that is how it feels, unless you pull the thingy to get it into reverse and let the shifter go further left.

[earthling]

I do agree with you on this point... BUT, what if you are sitting at a left turn, at a stop light. You start in first gear, but by the time you get going, ur RPMs are high, and before you are even 1/4th into the turn, you really need to shift, going into 2nd. What would you do here? Sure you could do a quick first gear, and put it in 2nd fast before you start turning I guess, but if you are the first car in line, that isn't always possible depending on the turn.

[earthling]

Yeah I plan to get a couple new RC soon to review and test :)

[earthling]

it's not a problem because the shifter has a little thing you pull, hard to explain, but basically you can't go left, and into reverse, unless you pull up a 'button' (for lack of better word). So first gear is really furthest left and up like usual.

[earthling]

very true, most cars, at least the vast majority get better mileage with manuals. Some of the new auto transmissions with CVT are getting better in some of the newer applications though.

[earthling]

I talk about that in video. Not to be rude, but did you have your volume on? The one on the far left is just a foot rest, not a pedal.

[earthling]

I think where neutral and 1st are is what people learn first. So they will figure that out fast. As for 'only had to press the brake when you start the car' - I have to only press the clutch on my car, not the brake...

[Marie.Love]

This is an awesome video your awesome I always wanted to learn it was frustrated and all but i stillll want to learn. I really like your videos ! and like that guy said you ARE a great person taking your time to help others you have a great heart man I hope life is treating you great and God bless you!

[earthling]

lol, well, yes I agree, I love manual. But I did consider driving my jeep offroad driving, even without a manual, that was still tons of fun and required some skill the harder you went. But manual would have been even more fun and better. Having the manual in a sports car I had been missing since I sold my 2005 subaru WRX in 2011... I am glad I have another great sport car that is manual :)