Almost anyone can learn to drive a standard
transmission when they put their mind to it, right?
Not! However, almost anyone can lean to drive
a standard transmission if they go about it the
right way (or rather the left foot way).
 
The easiest way to learn how to drive a standard
transmission is simply by first focusing entirely
on the left foot (letting its coordination to
become equal to that of the right foot). Sounds
simple, but training the good old left foot is really
the biggest part of smoothly moving down the
road.
 
Getting Started:
To get started, have someone who has a vehicle
equipped with standard transmission drive you to
a large flat vacant parking lot. Be certain to have
your friend in the passenger's seat to provide
supervisor when you drive. Also, make certain
that you are covered by vehicle insurance from
your policy or through the policy of the person
who is letting you drive his or her vehicle.
  
In the parking lot with the vehicle's engine turned
off, apply your right foot to the brake pedal, and
practice getting a feel of the clutch pedal by
pushing it in and out with your left foot.
 
The Shift Pattern:
Next, view the shift pattern shown on the top
of the shift knob. 1st gear is usually located by
pushing the gearshift lever forward.
 
Then, with the clutch pedal pushed all the
way in to the firewall, move the gearshift lever
through the gears (i.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th,
and reverse) a few times and then put the
gearshift lever into neutral.
 
Neutral is located in the middle of the
shift pattern. In simplest terms, picture the shift
pattern as a H (reverse and 5th gear are also
added in).
 
The crossbar of the H represents neutral. When
the transmission is in neutral, you should be able
to move the gearshift lever to the left and to the
right. If you need help, ask your friend who
drove you to the parking lot. So far, so good!
 
Getting the Feel of it:
With the transmission in neutral, start the engine
and then press the accelerator lightly to get the
feel of the accelerator pedal.
 
Next, take your right foot off of the accelerator
completely and let the engine just idle. Push the
clutch pedal in completely, hold it in, and place
the gearshift into 1st gear.
 
Now the moment of truth (just kidding, you will
be a pro in no time!) Continue to keep your right
foot off of the accelerator, but very slowly let
out the clutch (try to become aware of how far
you have let the clutch pedal out when the clutch
just begins to engage) until the vehicle just begins
to creep forward. This is accomplished by moving
the clutch pedal in and out just a little bit (about
1/2 inch) to get the vehicle to begin slowly rolling
forward.
 
Work on slowly letting the clutch pedal out
until you can get the vehicle to move forward
at a couple miles per hour in 1st gear without
touching the accelerator. If the vehicle stalls, it
is no big deal. Just push the clutch pedal in, and
restart the engine.
 
Keeping it Smooth:
Your goal is to be able to smoothly let the
clutch pedal out (with no accelerator) and have
the vehicle move ever so slowly forward. The
purpose of this step is to allow you to focus
solely on training just your left foot for a smooth
controlled clutch movement.
 
Concentrated training of the left foot will help
you to avoid the old herky, jerky, stall, "Here!
You take the keys" routine. A routine can be so
frustrating when you are first learning to drive a
standard transmission vehicle.
 
Once you are comfortable not using the
accelerator and letting the clutch out smoothly,
you can practice pressing the accelerator lightly
and letting out the clutch.
 
After you are able to drive the vehicle in 1st
gear, practice releasing the accelerator, pushing
the clutch in all the way, moving the gearshift in
to 2nd gear, and letting out the clutch (shift out
of 1st gear at about 15 miles per hour and 2nd
gear at about 25 miles per hour). Drive in the
large vacant parking in 1st and 2nd gear (most
slow speed turns are achieved in 2nd gear) until
you feel comfortable.
 
Planning Your Route:
When you feel comfortable and want to begin
driving on public streets, have your friend drive
you to low traffic secondary roads and accompany
you to provide supervision. The next step would
involve your planning to drive routes that will
allow you avoid starting and stopping on roads
with hills. With a few miles under your tires,
and continued use of your left foot, you will
soon be able to hold the vehicle on a hill when
starting out.
 
In no time at all, you will be driving like a pro
and shifting into 5th gear overdrive. Then one
of your friends will soon ask: "Can you show me
how to drive a standard transmission?" You can
then respond, "Well, it all begins with the good
old left foot."
 
For More Information:
Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price:
How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or
Minivan and Save Money. He has over 300,000 miles on
his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta-a used vehicle that he bought
in 1991 for $2,600. For more information call:1 800 839-8640
or visit: www.drivethebestbook.com. The web site accepts
all transportation questions.

Kyle Busch and his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta—a used vehicle that has been driven over 300,000 miles