Learning to drive manual
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
I was 15 years old when my Dad got out of the car, told me to get in the driver's seat, and get us home. A couple weeks later, I was zipping around like a pro.
My Dad was a sprint car driver when he was a young man.
I'm hoping the DNA kicks in and my son will learn to drive a stick with no major issues. HOPING.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
Thanks. I might need it. 
Again, congrats on getting closer to mastering the clutch pedal and the shift lever. Fun, isn't it ??!!
Hey guys! Just an update. I am now driving my Mini Clubman on my own! It only took me 5 sessions before I drove it alone. I've been driving it now to and from work everyday since Monday. I did stall it once today pulling onto the parking pad, and once yesterday coming off a yielded exit. I still get nervous when stopping at a stop sign, or red light just because I don't want to stall and hold up traffic. But, I'd rather stall and hold up traffic rather than doing something that would hurt the car more. The only way to get used to the car, and be better with a stick is to keep driving it, and work on your problem spots as you go. I am confident that I will master it soon! Hopefully, before the snow! Yikes.
You're on your way now ! Within a few weeks, it will become so natural to you, there will be times you are shifting and not even realizing you're doing it.
Wish me luck. I start next week teaching my 17-year old how to drive. And how to drive a stick. Should be interesting.
Wish me luck. I start next week teaching my 17-year old how to drive. And how to drive a stick. Should be interesting.
I taught 2 of my daughters how to drive stick. It was in their first cars ever. I found a parking lot with a very slight incline, just enough to make the car roll either backwards or forwards. I had them drive in 1st all around it and have them stop and start at various times, randomly. There is no pressure to get going from other traffic, so it is just learning. We spent a long time doing that before we ever went out on the road. Then I took them to an older area of out town with very little traffic and a lot of stop signs and had them drive all over there before taking them out into real traffic. They never looked back after that.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
I have a very similar game plan in mind, Eddie. Parking lot.... continuous starts and stops using first gear only until he gets the clutch engagement point and feathering the gas pedal down pat. Then driving around the vacant lot. Then out in the country road. Then into town. Lastly... two very busy interstates.
In MD, formal training at a certified driving school is also mandatory. So I won't be tackling this chore alone.
In MD, formal training at a certified driving school is also mandatory. So I won't be tackling this chore alone.
Wow, am I glad to find this thread (being 7 days into my career as a manual transmission driver). I'm still fighting smooth engagement from a stop - if I creep (no gas, ease off the clutch until I feel it's ready) I'm generally good. My problem is when I try to get into traffic on a busy road and have to be a little more speedy. I'm 80% good, 15% shaky and 5%... well, you KNOW...
come to think of it, I might just have to make a late night practice visit to my local MegaMart parking lot tonight...
come to think of it, I might just have to make a late night practice visit to my local MegaMart parking lot tonight...
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
I think the number one problem of beginners is the feeling of panic when you're in traffic and getting started in first gear. Had my son drive on our trip up the Pennsylvania yesterday and he's getting very smooth with the stick now but he does have that problem when starting from a dead stop with traffic behind him. Hard to convince him to just block them out and give it the same smooth clutch and gas pedal moves he does when nobody is around.
Practice will make perfect for him and for you !
Practice will make perfect for him and for you !
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