by Mike Duckworth

Created on: March 24, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2009

To drive a standard I recommend at least knowing how to drive an automatic first. It will make learning standard a lot easier.

The thing about a standard transmission is that it is cheaper on gas, you get more responsiveness and you have more control over the car.

First thing is starting the car. Before you turn the key make sure you are in neutral and having the parking brake on is good as well. Next step on the clutch and turn the key. The hardest thing to driving a standard is pulling away from a stop. So if you slowly release the clutch as you slowly engage the gas making sure to hit about 1500-1800 rpms before releasing the clutch all the way you will be able to pull away.

If your car keeps stalling when you try to pull away then you know you need to work on your coordination of the clutch and gas pedal. Just take your time and relax.

Now up-shifting gets easier as you increase gears. To go into second gear you are going to release the gas and engage the clutch shift into second then start to ease off of the clutch as you start to give it some gas. Third, forth, fifth and sixth are exactly the same. Except that they do get easier to shift.

Now say you are stopped on a hill and the person behind you is right on your tail. All you need to do is step on the clutch and start to pull it out about three quarters of the way and you should feel a change almost like a pull. Now some cars will stay still while others will actually start to pull you. From here you can start to step on the gas and pull away just like you would any other time.

Now you are still on the hill and wondering what gear you should be in to go up the hill. The lower gears are your stronger gears, while the higher gears are weaker. So you should make sure that you are in a low maybe second or third for going up a hill.

I think the main key to driving standard is being relaxed. If you are all tight in anything you do it is going to be hard. But if you are relaxed it can be a breeze. Just take your time and if you can get someone that you know to show you. It will make it a lot easier.

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