If you're used to driving automatic cars then transitioning to manual cars might be harder for you than vice-versa. A manual transmission vehicle requires extra training for those who have been driving automatic transmission cars all their life. It's like shifting from driving a sedan to driving a truck.
You need some training and even a license to do that. To drive a stick car means to undo some habits you've formed from driving an automatic. Read below to learn more about it.
Bad Habits to Avoid with Manual Cars
- Keep Your Car in Gear When at a Stop Light: You should put your car in neutral instead of in gear at a stop light in order to lessen the unnecessary wear-and-tear of your clutch. Your clutch is worn down because the gear is engaged and the vehicle isn't moving. Use your gear only when needed.
- Use The Gear Lever As Hand Rest: Resting your hand on the gear level can result in the selector fork to come in contact with the rotating collar, which can result in premature selector fork failure.
- Floor The Gas Pedal When Your Engine Is At A Low RPM: Flooring a low-RPM engine isn't smart because doing so damages your engine and flooring the gas is reserved for making your car pick up speed.
- Use Clutch Bite Point To Hold On An Incline: Don't release the clutch at the bite point and then feather the throttle to stay steady on an incline. This wears down your clutch's friction material, thus requiring premature replacement.
- Rest Your Foot On The Clutch Pedal: Don't do this because it causes the clutch to partially engage, resulting in clutch slippage. Don't put your foot down there unless you intend to use it. Don't rest your foot on the clutch while driving either because this will wear your clutch down.
- Use Incorrect Gear To Gain Speed: Pick the right gear to gain speed. Progressively go through gears as you gain momentum. The top gear lets you cruise at high speeds at a low engine RPM. To not do this is to waste fuel.
- Shift Without Engaging The Clutch: Every time you push the clutch pedal, the clutch disengages the engine from the transmission. Shifting gears without clutch engagement is a no-no because it damages the transmission system and can result in dire consequences on engine health.
- Use The Clutch To Hold Yourself On A Hill: Your friction material and the clutch itself will get worn down by such shenanigans. Instead, hold the brake down and let the clutch out. Afterwards, release the brake at a critical moment.
- Brake Without Your Clutch: You should brake with your clutch because the clutch assists in gear engagement and you want to keep the motor engaged fro as long as possible. This leads to safer braking, reduced brake wear-out, and a shorter stopping distance.