Is it hard tolearn to drive a stick shift car (manual)? How long does it take to learn?

Question

Is it hard tolearn to drive a stick shift car (manual)? How long does it take to learn?

Answer 1

I learned in twenty minutes...it's not hard

Answer 2

It took me a couple days of practice, and a month or 2 to actually be good at it.  It should have been faster, but the car I learned on had the wrong transmission (the original died, it was replaced by something different), a very weak engine, and a tiny clutch plate...  So it was a beast to drive.

Answer 3

No it's not hard at all.  I suggest you go to a new car dealer and test drive a stick :)  the newer cars are easier to learn on and they aren't yours yet.  I learned on a used car I test drove after about 20 minutes.  He lost about 2 years of clutch life but oh well. ( I didn't buy the car cause it smelled like burnt clutch ahahah)

Answer 4

The hardest part is getting the car going from 1st shift.

It's a bit tricky for some people to get the pedals working just right. After you get the hang of that, the rest is super easy! Once the car is going, shifting is nothing!

I think the trick to starting to drive stick - is to get a good feel of the clutch engaging. Put the car in first & sloooowly let out on the clutch until you feel it "grabbing" - like you will sort of feel the car begin to want to move forward. Then you have to slowly press the gas pedal while releasing the clutch the rest of the way - then you're driving! LOL

Once you learn - it may take a day or two - you will LOVE it!

I have been driving a stick my entire life. My first car was a stick - so I had no choice. Now, I would NEVER buy an automatic!

It's a pain in the ***, though, if you live or drive a lot in the city!

Having a lot of stop-go traffic really blows when you drive a stick. It's just annoying to have to keep shifting every 5 seconds.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

1 lesson

Answer 6

you can learn in one afternoon

Answer 7

It's significantly harder than automatic.  It depends mostly on how motivated you are to learn, and of course on the skill of your teacher.

Answer 8

it is easy.   you just need to practice.  you can learn the first time out.  i learned on the Jersey Turnpike.

Answer 9

As long as you have a person who really knows how to drive a stick you should be able to learn in one day.  It is not hard as long as you know that you might spin the tires or something like that.  Good luck!!!

Answer 10

It's harder for some than others, but in general, most people can figure it out. Once you get from a complete stop and are able to get going in first gear without stalling, the rest is just repetitive. It only took me about 2 days of driving to really master and get the hang of it. Practice in an empty parking lot until you get the basics mastered, than practice hills.

Answer 11

No.

Depends on your ability to learn.

Answer 12

it doesn't take long to learn, but it takes practice to get used to it.  if you can find a driving school that still teaches it go there so you don't kill your own clutch while you're learning.  good luck.

Answer 13

it will take about 2 hours or so.  the easiest way is to not even use the gas when in first just ease off the clutch and the car will start moving.  then after getting the feel of the cluth start using the gas.  think of the clutch as a reverse brake.  it will take about two weeks to master

Answer 14

not too hard, but it does take a bit of practice.  how i learned:

1.  bought a stick shift car

2.  drove it home without knowing how to

3.  friend who knew took pity on me

4.  said friend brought me to a local parking lot with a slight hill

5.  friend said that if i could catch first gear, then i could drive a stick

6.  friend made me keep getting in first, drive up the hill, roll back

7.  repeated that up the hill in first and roll back a bunch of times.

8.  voila !  can drive a stick now !!

tryi it....  it's true that if you can get the car in first, the other gears are easy.  good luck !

Answer 15

not too hard, you just need to practice it an area where there are not other cars.  You will get the hang of it rather quickly, the toughest part is shifting into first and second gear, after that you won't have any problems.

A good day or two of practice and you'll be a pro.

Answer 16

It's not hard at all if you have a good teacher.  A few lessons, and you should get it.  Practice stopping on inclines, and practice on roads where you can shift gears a lot.  Practice backing up and parallel parking, also.

Answer 17

Takes a couple hours of patience and practice.  Usually after 1 or 2 test drive sessions, most will get the hang of it.  You'll like it, it's fun!

Answer 18

I taught myself in a week's time. I had to, because I purchased a stick shift knowing I would have to learn it , or I'd be stuck with an expensive lawn ornament!

Answer 19

its difficult for some people at first but anyone can learn. Its just about timing and hearing/feeling when its time to shift. The advantage is that it gives you more control over the power your car uses and so its potentially a gas saver.

Answer 20

It's not hard. The concept is simple. Someone can teach you the basics in an hour. Another hour and you could handle 25mph in residential neighborhoods. Key points: Better than automatic because you can better control the motor and the car (you can slow (downshift) the car down without the brakes!) Also  you must learn to drive on steep hills without fear! Irrational fear keeps most bad drivers from being good drivers. Better than automatic for stop and go driving.