How to drive a stick shift?

Question

i just got a toyota yaris , it's a stick... i've been driving for 3 years but i have driven a stick for about 3 days... I want to go out on my own, but when i get to a hill i always roll back and i am afraid that i will back into some dude who is on my tail on a hill. I dont really worry about killing it anymore (used to be my biggest fear).

any tips?

Answer 1

you will need to find a friend who can teach you to drive stickshift properly.

It seems like a lot of things to remember but once you get the hang of it, you will do it mindlessly. I don't even think about what I am doing when I am shifting gears. It is like 2nd nature to me.

there are good stick drivers and a whole lot of bad ones.

Learn from someone good.

Answer 2

Here's something to try.  Start out on a level parking lot.  Without putting your foot on the gas, get the car moving with just the clutch.  You can learn to do this even with a hair trigger clutch.

Then practice on a hill with no obstructions.

The 1958 Studebaker had a manual transmission feature i've not seen since.  If you put your foot on the brake in 1st gear while the car is stopped, it engages something that prevents the car from slipping backwards.  I've no idea why cars don't come with that now.  It's not like the patent hasn't expired.

Answer 3

if your on a hill another recommodation is using the hand brake. While letting off the cluctch you let down the hand brake and you won't (well shouldn't)roll back. Another thing is to roll back a little as another car is coming up on your tail so they'll know your driving a stick.  

Answer 4

just make sure your at 2000- 2250 rpm and ease off the clutch, you can do it with no break either and just hold yourself there with the engine but i don't recommend it.

Answer 5

use the e brake to help you get going when on a hill pull it and let it off slowly when you are trying to take off it will help you get your judgement on taking off on a hill

Answer 6

Practice, practice, practice. I bought my first car and had to learn how to drive stick after having learned on an automatic and it's not easy. Once I got the hang of it I loved it and now I won't go back to an automatic. Hills are tricky, but just make sure to give it plenty of gas, even if you rev the engine a little, so that you get the clutch to catch. Once you're comfortable with where the clutch catches, it will be much easier and smoother.

Good luck and keep practicing on side roads and parking lots!