Step 5: up-shifting
Now that you’re rolling you’ll need to know how to gain speed. To do this, you must learn to upshift the gears. Because first gear only works until around 25mph, it is important to shift efficiently, as to not over-strain the engine. 5,000rpm is a safe place to do this.
Kick the clutch pedal out with your left foot.
Pull the shift lever back, into second gear
Tap the gas pedal to spike the rpms
Smoothly come off the clutch, catching the rpms as they fall
Do this every time you want to shift up
The higher gears require less torque, so spiking the revs becomes less necessary
Step 6: down-shifting
Downshifting puts more strain on the drivetrain than upshifting, so it is important to practice matching the engine’s speed. The process is like upshifting, but the driver needs to take more care with his rev-matching.
Kick the clutch pedal out with your left foot.
Pull the shift lever diagonal to the left, into second gear
Tap the gas pedal to spike the rpms
Smoothly come off the clutch, catching the rpms as they fall
Do this every time you want to shift down
Step 7: coming to a stop
When coming to a stop, the car must either be in neutral, or in gear, with the clutch pedal depressed. If it’s not, the car will stall. You will look foolish. People will laugh that you can’t drive your $322,000 Lamborghini.
Step 8: Leaving the car parked.
Anyway, so now you’re in a parking spot, and you’re far enough from the other cars to not be “that guy.” Now:
Turn the key off
Put the car in first gear
Pull the handbrake up, with some gusto
Good, now you’re done.
Step 9: burning rubber
One of the best parts about driving a stick is being able to “dump the clutch” and spin the wheels. With just about any averagely powerful, two-wheel-drive machine, this is possible.
Put the car first gear.
Then, with your foot still down on the clutch, give the car some throttle, and bring the revs to around 4,500 rpm. Less revs might not have enough power to break the wheels loose, and more power is an unnecessary strain on the clutch.
Then, quickly remove your foot from the clutch pedal, and hold on for the ride. If you’ve done it right, the driven wheels will spin in their place, and you might even turn that rubber into smoke. Nice. Six more gold stars for you.
Finally:
While it may take only a few minutes to learn manual shifting, this is a skill that takes many years to perfect. With careful, confident actions, you too can become a master of the manuals, and be among the relative few, capable of operating this old-world technology.
Picture Sources:
Picture Sources
Handbrake: http://images.europeancarweb.com/tuned/0610_EPCP_04Z+BMW_330d+interior_e_brake_handle.jpg
R8 shifter: http://stblogs.automotive.com/files/2013/05/2014-Audi-R8-Six-Speed-Manual-Transmission-Shifter-Gate-1024x680.jpg
Cgt shifter: http://sloancars.com/wp-content/uploads/inventory/1-1853_5_shift.jpg
Ignition: http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/sheval/sheval1004/sheval100400026/6865331-black-ignition-key-inserted-into-ignition-slot.jpg
NSX dash: http://www.cartype.com/pics/5740/full/acura_nsx-t_03.jpg
3 pedals: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VI-k8k5jZcQ/TVOm2O7B5CI/AAAAAAAABXI/VbUb-ZnKgTs/s400/Pontiac_G8_GXP_photo_gallery_pedals_wallpapers_car.jpg
depress clutch: http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/fb/PressTheClutch-Step-5.jpg/500px-PressTheClutch-Step-5.jpg
tuerck drift: http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/523632_10151525386104691_477828889_n.jpg-
(Fair Use: For educational purposes only)
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