With a stick shift, you balance the clutch and the gas yourself. The secret is feeling the friction point, then matching the clutch release with more gas.
Friction point
The point, as you let up the clutch pedal, where the engine and transmission engage.
Handbook p. 44 ↗Putting the car in motion:
- 1. Press the brake with your right foot and the clutch to the floor with your left
- 2. Shift into first gear
- 3. Release the parking brake
- 4. Signal the direction you plan to move
- 5. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder for blind spots
- 6. Let the clutch up slowly to the friction point, eyes on the road, not your feet
- 7. Move your right foot from the brake to the accelerator
- 8. Press gently on the gas as you let the clutch up all the way
Know the rule
If the car jerks forward, you released the clutch too abruptly or pressed too hard on the gas. If it lurches and stalls, you didn't give the engine enough gas.
Handbook p. 44 ↗Using the forward gears
| Gear | Use |
|---|---|
| First | Power to set the car in motion |
| Second | 15 to 25 mph; starting on ice or in heavy snow |
| Third | Over 25 mph (3-speed); up to 30–40 mph (4/5-speed) |
| Fourth | Above 35 mph on a flat road |
Know the rule
Driving uphill, you may need to reach 40 mph or more before shifting into fourth or fifth gear.
Handbook p. 45 ↗Shifting up:
- 1. Accelerate to a speed suited to the next gear
- 2. Press the clutch to the floor
- 3. Release the accelerator
- 4. Shift to the next higher gear
- 5. Press the accelerator again and release the clutch part way
- 6. Let the clutch up all the way while continuing to accelerate
Know the rule
Downshift to gain power, accelerate, steer effectively, slow down or stop, or to slow on a down slope (except when the road is slippery).
Handbook p. 45 ↗Shifting down:
- 1. Release the accelerator (and press the brake if you also want to slow)
- 2. Press the clutch to the floor
- 3. Shift to the next lower gear (braking hard may call for fourth to second)
- 4. Release the clutch to the friction point while pressing the gas as needed
Starting uphill without rolling back:
- 1. Set the parking brake
- 2. Press the clutch to the floor and shift into first
- 3. Let the clutch up to the friction point and press gently on the gas
- 4. Release the parking brake as you feel the car pull forward
- 5. Press the gas as you let up the clutch
- 6. Accelerate in first until you can shift to second
Put it into practice
Stopped on a steep hill in a stick-shift car, you set the parking brake, shift into first and bring the clutch to the friction point with light gas. When you feel the car pulling forward, release the parking brake and ease the clutch up.