This is the very first lesson that you need to put in place in order to learn how to drive a manual transmission or a stick shift. One of the reasons that students have difficulty driving a manual transmission is, first of all, they don't take the time to learn clutch control. You have to isolate the clutch and learn how to use the clutch by itself without-- before you add in the throttle and you add in the brakes. Join Young Driver to receive special offers and discounts.
So take the time to learn how to use the clutch. The next thing you have to do is you have to find out where the biting point, as they call it in Europe, or the friction point is on the clutch. The friction point is where the clutch comes out, and it begins to engage the engine with the drive train and the vehicle begins to move forward. One of the reasons that students have so much difficulty with that task of finding the friction point on the clutch is because you've got big, huge leg muscles that are trying to do fine motor control. Big leg muscles are used for running and jumping and kicking. They're not used for fine motor control. That's what our fingers are for.
Adjust the vehicle so that you are comfortable. Before you start the car, make sure that you can see out of all mirrors and that the seat is adjusted to your height. Being comfortable will help you relax during this somewhat nerve rattling experience.
Before applying brakes or taking side turn - never miss to see rear view mirror or side rear mirror to check distance - there could be some one who may be on speed to overtake. Do not miss to give Proper Indicator with Apt Distance before taking Turns
Obey Traffic Signals, Rules and keep a distance with a car in your front ahead . Dont frequently change lane and dont make sudden jackup and jackdown speed of car
Avoid Attending Mobile Phone Call - It seriously diverts attention. While overtaking - be relax to make a wise judgement to overtake
Do not attempt to change gears very frequently. Like in split of seconds some people changes gears numerous times. Try to maintain a speed depending on traffic condition
Last comes stopping the car. Slow the car by coming back to either 1st or 2nd gear. Before 40 - 50 meters where you need to park the car,Press clutch plate and slowly use Brake to bring down the acceleration. When you have reached, stop the car, take the key out, pull your leg away from the clutch and brake gently and simultaneously to avoid a jerk.
After a few lessons, it's time to do some longer-term practice. You could just buy enough practice with the school, but it's cheaper to practice with a friend. Drive Rite recommends this extra practice for learning to handle a variety of locations, passengers, and cars that handle differently.
You don't actually need a friend with a car. What you need is a friend with a license who's willing to take on the risk of driving around a rental with you. A daily rental is still cheaper than several hours of lessons, but letting an unlicensed driver behind the wheel is against the terms of any major car rental or car sharing service, and if you get in an accident you'll be in big trouble. Zipcar, for example, doesn't pay damages for accidents from any non-member, licensed or not—plus they'll revoke your friend's membership. So only try this if you and your friend are confident in your abilities, and stay as far as possible from heavy traffic or any accident-prone location.