How to: Operate an Automobile of the 20th or early 21st Century via a Manually-shifted Transmission

Now, that the motor is running, it’s time to learn about getting the car moving. To do that, we need to put the car in gear. OK, so you’re probably thinking, “My left foot hurts, can I take it off the clutch now??” “Maybe!” It depends if the transmission is in gear. If it’s not, and it’s in the neutral position, go right ahead, give that left foot a rest. If it is in gear, you must stay on the clutch, or else the car will buck forward and stall. BAD DOG.

1. 
   Look to your right (in a left hand drive vehicle) and you’ll find what looks like a doorknob mated to a leather bag.
   

2. 
   Grip the knob and try to jiggle it around. If it moves, you’re most likely in neutral. There is, however also the chance that you have a broken gearbox. That would stink.
   

3. 
   To put the car into gear, push the clutch pedal down, all the way.
   

4. 
   Then, with your right hand, push the shift knob to the left side of the box, then all the way forward. If the stick does not come back to the neutral position, you are in a gear. You still may not know if you’re in the correct gear, but it’s a good start.
   

5. 
   To check that you’re in the proper gear (most commonly, cars are started in first gear) pull the shifter back and forth between the gear you’re in, and the one below it before trying to accelerate, to ensure that the car is not in third gear, or worse, reverse.
   

6. 
   Now, put it in first gear. You did? Great! 600 gold stars for you.