How to Drive a Manual Car: Our Step-By-Step Process

Whether you are a first-time driver or an automatic licence holder and wish to switch to manual, driving a manual car can be a tricky concept to get your head around. Using a clutch pedal for the first time and changing gears can be quite difficult if you don't know the proper process.

On top of that, there are a multitude of things to consider; is an automatic vehicle better than a manual? Is it more costly to have a manual car? Which type of driving is more suited to your situation?

This guide will take you through our step-by-step process on manual driving and answer all those questions that a beginner may have.

What is manual driving? 

Modern cars can come in two different transmission types - automatic transmission and manual transmission. In a manual car, the driver is responsible for shifting gears as well as acceleration, while in an automatic car, the car does the shifting for you 'automatically'.

A manual car, also sometimes known as a stick shift, can be much more affordable to buy and cheaper to repair. However, modern technological advances have narrowed the price and performance gap between automatic transmission and manual transmission cars.

Manual car vs automatic car

The main difference between an automatic car and a manual car is that a manual car has three pedals, the brake pedal, the accelerator and the clutch pedal. The added clutch pedal is used while manually changing gears with the gearbox. While automatic vehicles do have changing gears, they perform this function automatically.

Other differences between a manual car and an automatic are price, performance and repair capacity. While an automatic is more common on Australian roads, a manual car is usually cheaper to purchase and repair. However, automatic cars, because of their popularity, often have more access to car parts, meaning that repairing them is much easier.

In terms of performance, a manual vehicle is suited for many drivers and different functions, including heavy vehicle operation and 4WD. Although automatic transmissions occupy most of the road, having the skill to drive manual can be extremely beneficial.

What driving style is best for you?

Your decision for which type of car you want to learn in will depend a lot on your circumstances, as well as what you want to do in the future (e.g. for travel or work) and your personal preference. 

When looking at automatic vs manual driving, it is important to consider several ideas such as whether you wish to drive overseas, what your own vehicle's transmission is and even whether you want to drive on a restricted licence or not. Choosing to drive a manual car is never a simple challenge to undertake, but many circumstances call for it, so it should be a well-thought out decision.

Learn how to drive manual

This step-by-step process will take you through the best way to start and drive manual cars.

It is always recommended that you partake in manual driving lessons before using a manual car or taking the manual driving test. This will ensure that you are participating in safe driving practices, staying responsible on the road and, of course, not ruining your transmission with bad driving habits!

A manual car has a gear stick or gearbox that is used to change gears while driving. It can sometimes be tricky to work out when to change gears, but lots of practice and manual driving lessons will help immensely. Stick shift gears have gears from 1-5 as well as a reverse gear and a neutral position, as shown in the image below.

Starting a manual car

A manual transmission car can be tricky to start and get into motion. When you drive a manual car, you must use three pedals instead of two, meaning you use both feet to drive with. In addition to this, you have to use a gear stick to change gears.  Take a look at this step-by-step process on the most simple and effective way to start rolling:

1. Get in the car and put on your seatbelt
   
2. Put the key in the ignition and turn all the way until the engine starts
3. Put the clutch pedal down with your left foot (this the pedal on the left) 
4. Move the gear stick into first gear
   
5. Use your right foot to press down on the accelerator (pedal on the right) gently to increase the engine’s revs very slightly
   
6. Slowly lift the clutch pedal using your left foot until it starts to vibrate gently
7. This vibration is known as the car’s “bite point” - this is where the clutch plates start to come together.
8. Increase the revs while slowly raising your foot off the clutch unit you are moving forward with only the use of the accelerator pedal

Remember - if you’re too quick lifting your foot off the clutch pedal, or don’t give it enough revs, the car will stall: that’s where the engine cuts out and the red lights glow on the dashboard.

If you stall, dn't panic! Apply the brake pedal, turn the engine off, return the gear stick to neutral and begin the process again.

Why are manual driving lessons important? 

Learning how to drive manual is considered to be much more difficult than learning to drive an automatic transmission car. For both learner drivers and mature drivers alike, manual driving can be challenging to get your head around. Manual transmissions are not easy to grasp, both physically driving and the mere concept of it.

That is why manual driving lessons can be extremely effective in helping you to learn how to drive a manual car, as you are taken through the steps slowly and with the guidance of a professional. Manual driving lessons will have an instructor that can give you tips on how to best use your clutch pedal, manage a gear shifter and learn the trick behind knowing when to change gears.

When you are taking your practical driving test for a manual car, the practice you gain from driving lessons will put your mind at ease. After passing your test, you can begin to drive a manual car without an instructor in the passenger seat and begin your new life as a manual driver!