How To Drive A Manual Car for Beginners - Lesson #1

This video is for absolute beginners. The two hardest gears to learn in a manual car are first and reverse.
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0:00 Why so Tough!!
0:58 Big Huge Leg Muscles
3:04 Shift Pattern
5:26 How a Transmission Works - Basics
8:27 Finding the Friction (Biting) Point
9:13 Exercise #1 - Finding the Friction Point (Biting Point)
12:38 Exercise #2 - Moving the Vehicle
17:07 Learning to Remember
19:55 Question: Do you have exercises for students to learn clutch control?
20:42 Blooper
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SHIFT PATTERN

A shift pattern for any manual transmission is a basic 'H' pattern.

And the transmission pattern or shift pattern is the same regardless of whether you're driving a left-hand or right-hand drive vehicle.

First and second gear will be on the left side of the shift pattern.

Third and fourth gear will be in the middle of the shift pattern and often, fifth and reverse will be on the right side of the gear box.

Most standard transmissions will be a 5-speed.

Vehicle manufacturers are beginning to make 6- and even 7-speed transmissions, but if you can drive a 5-speed the other transmission configurations are straight forward.
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IN NEUTRAL A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SELECTOR RESTS BETWEEN MIDDLE GEARS

Know that the shifter is designed to rest at the middle gears when in neutral.

Thus to go to first and second you need to push/pull the selector to the left, and to go to fifth gear--and often reverse--you have to push/pull the gear selector to the right.
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CLUTCH CONTROL

When learning to drive a manual transmission it is important to isolate the clutch and learn to find the friction point - the point where the clutch connects the engine with the drive train and the vehicle begins to move forward.

As I said this is the absolute first lesson, and you are only going to learn clutch control.

Without clutch control, you are going to have difficulty driving a manual car well.
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EXERCISE #1
With the parking brake applied, simply bring the clutch out to the friction point, let the engine revs drop a couple hundred rpm and then push the clutch back in.

Do this exercise for both first gear and reverse gear. Do it approximately 30 times for each gear.
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EXERCISE #2

This exercise moves the vehicle forward with just the clutch.

Put your right foot on the brake and put the gear selector into a forward gear. Keep your right foot on the brake, both hands on the steering wheel, and bring the clutch out to the friction point and hold.

When the engine bogs down a bit, release the brake because now the vehicle is being held by the clutch.

Slowing bring the clutch out through the friction zone until you are able to completely take your foot off the clutch.

Because the most vehicles are electronic fuel injection, these will not stall.

The engine will torque up when more power is called forward.

When the vehicle rolls forward, push the clutch in and engage the brake to stop the vehicle.

Do this exercise approximately 30 times for both first and reverse.

These are the fundamental exercises for learning clutch control.

After you learn clutch control, the rest of the gears and driving a manual transmission are fairly easy.

But without clutch control, it will be difficult to drive a manual car.

Spend the time here on the fundamentals and you will find that you can competently drive a manual transmission within a few hours.
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#howtodriveamanualcar #smartdrivetest #howtodriveastickshift
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[peterhaule]

From no knowledge to becoming expert in Manual transmission car, you're the best instructor I ever seen. Thank you papa

[IWBVS]

Best video on driving manual. I watched this months ago but had to search YouTube to find it again. Don't waste your time watching a guy teach using a Lamborghini. This video has what most people need.

[mosesmkuki]

Genius explanation... Thank you soo much dad.. I drove automatic without been taught... And now am able to drive manual car by watching ur tutorials... Lovely

[anthony]

I’ve watched countless “How to drive a manual car” this is one of the better ones 👍

[HD-junc]

Great video! I’m 34 and just recently got my learners. I am definitely the type of person who likes to know what is happening when I’m ‘pushing that and pulling this’ not just absent minded actions. This video helps me understand wth is going on when I do certain things. Now I feel certain that when I go out for lessons I will at least have some comprehension of a manual car. Thank you!

[Adamitude]

Having just purchased and driven a manual truck off the lot, wow I wished I watched this first! When I was testing the car out, I struggled quite a bit. It wasn't until I released that the clutch is a three-dimensional system and not a 1 or a 0, that I finally understood how to get it into 1st gear without making the car jump. I realized there was a "biting point", and that hitting it at the right time was crucial. I drove it home. The best part of a manual is on the interstate. Very tame when it's already moving. Virtually no problems as long as I feel the clutch out. I can't wait to get better at this. I'm going to do these practices, then watch part 2! Amazing lesson.

[martinaguilera]

This is an excellent video, especially the point regarding the large leg muscle control and the bite point on the clutch. This is the difference between amateur videos and professionals. This video was well thought out w/o any meandering comments, unnecessary jokes or annoying music/graphics.

[XWerecat]

Love it! Been driving automatic for over 30 years, now starting up with manual...this video helped enormously.

[roshanpradeep]

Absolutely perfect explanation. Starting from basic. Best manual driving lessons found over the internet.

[thomaspaguwah]

Best instructor ever, he clear highlights the fundamental principles of learning to drive a manual transmission.I like his emphasis on clutch control especially feeling the biting point a lot of learner drivers struggle with the biting point.
After learning to get the biting point 30 times in first gear and reverse gear respectively you will never go wrong trust me.
All thanks to this best video

[christinachampion]

The best instruction on driving a stick, extremely comprehensive, awesome! Teacher. Thanks A million. "Clutch Control first. " Thanks Rick.

[josea.]

Good learning experience first time driving manual for me. I’m doing pretty good so far. Just by watching this videos. I have been driving for one year now no problem.

[BBO-dvhi]

I have watched many videos on this subject, and I should admit u are the best teacher. Wow! None of the videos talked about tachometer dropping down to 500rpm to reach the biting point. Thumbs up Sir

[kemoycampbell]

Had three (3) vehicle keys in position since this morning like 0700 hrs. Watched this video at 1100 hrs and since then I've driven a Toyota Coaster 2012, Toyota Hiace Bus 2018 and Mitsubishi FUSO Truck 2019 and this lesson has been the clearest in understanding clutch management of which assisted me in every way there was possible.. Thanks Bro

[Bostonchic]

Great job on driving standard! My first car was 68 Mustang 3 speed<3... 45 Yrs ago! I'd love to drive manual :)

[GeekedOutNeckbeard]

Helped me pass my N test with the help of my aunt allowing me to use her car all the time.

Now after nearly a year, and a delivery driver job I have felt like learning manual to get a bit more engagement with driving. So I have come back to you, as you helped me get over my driving anxiety by explaining how driving is a social/communicative activity. And now I haven't been able to think of it any other way.

I hope to learn manual by Monday.. But I'll be watching this video on repeat til I master it all.

[iryna]

Rick, you are the best driving instructor in North America - thank you!

[rajmilton]

Rick August, you've been indeed doing a great job in helping out novice drivers like me. I had never driven a car in my entire life, and all of a sudden I had no other choice but to learn driving in a short span of time (a kinda crisis situation I can say :D). But going through most of your videos in this channel really helped me learn the fundamentals and get a good grip on them. I was able to learn driving and get a CA license in less than 2 months' time! And I owe must of the credits to you; hats off to you!!

I've become a regular visitor to your channel and I keep bringing improvisations in my driving through that. I also shall be recommending your channel to all those buddies of mine who wanna improve their driving skills.

Thank you!

[christinegovender]

Thanks so much for your videos Rick. I passed my driver's test here in South Africa on the 12th of November. I learnt everything from watching your videos. Your explanations are easy to understand and practical. Thank you so much. Looking forward to your new videos 😊😊😊😊

[mattyd]

Love your videos, helps so much, learning so much and just bought a 1991 Mazda B2200 manual your videos have taught me more than all the other videos and that's why I have been subscribed to you for almost a year, a year ago today you helped me pass my drivers exam now your helping Learn how to drive stick. Thank you so much 😊.