Learning to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission will give you more flexibility when choosing a car. To help you learn how to operate a stick shift, the driving school instructors at Bob Shropshire Sons Driving School in Cincinnati, OH, have prepared a brief guide so you know what to expect when you’re behind the steering wheel.

A Guide to Manual Transmissions

Learning the Components

Before you get on the road, you should have an understanding of your car’s components. When you’re in the driver’s seat, you’ll find the gear stick to your right, usually in the center console. The parking brake will be located nearby, which is necessary to prevent your vehicle from rolling. Lastly, the clutch pedal can be found to the left of your gas and brake pedal. This is used to change gears by pressing your left foot before moving the gear stick. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the tachometer, which shows the revolutions per minute, or RPMs.

Practicing the Motions

To operate a vehicle with a manual transmission, you’ll need to learn the procedure for changing gears. This process involves depressing the clutch, shifting up to the next gear, then slowly releasing the clutch. If you’re taking classes with a driving school instructor, they may refer to this as “feathering.”

Before turning the car on, make sure the stick is in neutral. Once the engine is running, you can initiate the feathering procedure by putting the car in first gear. Rev the engine to 1,500 RPM to 2,000 RPM to start moving. Once the tachometer reads 3,000, it’s time to shift up to the next gear.

The best way to learn how to learn to drive a stick shift is to take a class with an experienced driving school instructor. With comprehensive classes for both teens and adults, Bob Shropshire Sons Driving School is sure to improve your skill. To learn more about their course offerings, call (513) 721-3915 or visit them online.