How to Drive a Manual Transmission: 1959 Volkswagen Beetle

[@GustavoTomilhero]

I'm Brazilian and I own a 1966 volkswagen. Nothing is as cool as driving a volkswagen

[@TheOzthewiz]

AMEN!

[@bakystime880]

Am thinking to buy one this week or next , i love vw

[@alexandrepaixaodasilvalata1111]

I’m brazilian too … from Rio de Janeiro… I’ve been flying a lot of aircraft…and my car is a VW Bug 1980 1300 cc… until now … VW Bug is “The best one ever” !

[@ronkemperful]

My 1st car was a 56 Beetle Convertible, I inherited as a graduation gift. It was my favorite car & I drove it until it was 30 years old. Sadly, I could no longer find mechanics or parts to keep it working, so I had to sell it. Great video!

[@ChubiiDubii]

DaBaby Convertiblr

[@Dj.Ray.Von.]

It must be even sadder that most parts have been remanufactured these days 😕.

[@ronkemperful]

@@Dj.Ray.Von. Yes parts were getting ridiculous in price: a fuel pump in 1974 was only 12 dollars, in 1985 it was 285 dollars, for the same pump. The VW dealer did not know how to change the headlight bulb, so I had to drive with a missing high beam for many years, no one wanted to touch it. I had to order brake pads from J. C. Whitney, a mail order place. The VW dealer in Tacoma didn't know how to diagnose a failing starter solenoid so I ended up with five starter motor replacements until another VW dealer replaced it with a 5 dollar part. But this was the price of living in the Pacific Northwest where vintage VWs were very rare, as compared with California or Arizona.

[@Hakido]

Thank you for being so thorough, I plan on going to Mexico with my dad to get one next year and he’s been telling me to study up on manual cars because I never wanted to Ironically the beetle is my favorite car

[@nolansprinkle813]

yeah all beetles up until the 1990's when the new beetle came out (so from 1938-1997) it had a manual transmission. clutch is fairly light, shifting is kinda stiff so you should get the hang of it pretty easily. my suggestion: hold the engine at around 2000 rpm, and let the clutch out slowly. (but not slow enough to burn the clutch) oh also beetles don't have tachometers so you have to listen to the engine to see what rpm its at.

[@steverandall5814]

A video of how to shift a manual transmission...yep, I'm gettin' old.

[@johnsergei]

I had expected an intersting video more about how you use the gears, a little differently on a low powered early beetle, relative to other small cars of the time like Morris Minor, Austin A30 Standard 8 (I have the latter and the gearing is cerainly lower than the beetle). But I got a pointless and muffled video (gee, I hope you can't get the bogey virus on the internet?) Unless you want to drive very gently, you rev the beetle more in the intermediate gears, before changing up & in top gear, the car is designed for 55-60 MPH running on Autobahns. Those low geared British cars are getting quite busy at even 50 MPH.

[@davidgrisez]

When I was young the second car I learned to drive was a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle. The 1965 Volkswagen Beetle did have a fuel cage and an automatic choke. The 1959 Volkswagen Beetle did not have a fuel gauge. Instead in the foot well of the vehicle a lever can be seen. This lever controlled a valve in the gas tank that had 3 positions. The position were closed, open and reserve. If the car engine started to run out of gas, the lever could kicked by a person foot from the open to reserve position to access the last gallon of gas in the gas tank.

[@TheOzthewiz]

You are 100% CORRECT, Sir!

[@idahofur]

My dad had a 1974 bug. Way to new. But he did tell me about the reserve tank plus a few other things. I also drove it around too. Not to hard to drive a stick.

[@dianarivera261]

Helpful video! Thank you! Came here to learn hoping to find helpful comments and tips from those more knowledgeable, but instead it's filled with bitter grown men. You make fun of those who don't know instead of encouraging and teaching, no wonder less and less youngsters learn this skill.

[@carlosa9181]

Liked the car , liked the beetle , my father has a 63’ beetle we are playing on restaurant it , the painting is already on point

[@TheOzthewiz]

I loved my '56 Type 1 that I took (and passed by 1 point!) my driver's test in '59. I wish I had that car now. Was some GOOD times! CHEERS!

[@haku-chan9065]

I suddenly became so into my dad's beetle after I watched Bumblebee... Their colors match, too! Thanks for this, man!

[@t123ooth]

I had a Blue 1959 Beetle with a sunroof, miss that car, they were fun to drive, you also learned about reading wind directions and you watched for big rigs, they made quite the breeze

[@normankeel5898]

My first vehicle was a ‘74 Beetle. I learned to drive a manual transmission in this vehicle. Oh what fun it would be to drive another 1 today!

[@adamfripps3311]

I must say this was one of the best videos I have seen explaining how to drive a manual, and particularly for a classic bug, which hopfully Im planning to own one someday, thanks :-)

[@KennethSloan]

I taught myself how to to drive a stick shift many years ago when my sister gave me her Datsun 310 after my brother gave it to her. Driving schools required learners to provide the car and take several hours of lessons. I got my copy of Sportsman's Like Driving, the most important high school text there is, read the instruction, got in the car and just did it.

[@crustycobs2669]

I bought one of these in 1969, my first car, paid 400 bucks, learned how to shift it by driving it home.

[@kennethswain6313]

I think he did a very commendable job! Today VW’s and stick shifting is an oddity. Perhaps a younger generation will appreciate the car and skill needed an active driver.

[@bluebear6570]

I drive a modern Volkswagen which still has a "four on the floor" transmission. Actually, it is a 5-speed manual gear box, which ist still standard in Europe.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

Many countries only make manuals. America isn't the only place in the world. Enough with your tOdAyS kIdS shit

[@TheOzthewiz]

You're wasting your time on this "younger generation". They have ENOUGH to keep them distracted while driving, no need to add a manual transmission to the mix!!

[@joemcnamara4774]

@@TheOzthewiz what rubbish, a manual gearbox is not a distraction from driving it is driving

[@ronkemperful]

For my 56 Beetle, the main challenge was the non-synchronized 1st gear. I never could double clutch it so I always had to come to a complete stop to engage it, which was dangerous to do in slow rolling traffic.

[@AntagonistBK]

Crazy how different the manuals are. I have a 1965 Convertible Beetle that I bought as a shell and am now putting back together (it runs and drives now) and I also own a 1973 Datsun 240Z. Both very raw but vastly different in how they drive and handle. Love them both and would never think of selling either.

[@nonelost1]

Believe it or not, one can drive them without a clutch in a pinch. If the clutch cable breaks, turn the key off, put it in first, then start it with it in gear. It will lurch forward in first. Then speed up to 10-15 mph, then one must "feel" the syncing of engine and transmission speed before shifting. Continue upshifting at the speeds where you usually upshift. If done right, there should be little or no grinding of gears. But downshifting without grinding will be much harder! And you must always shut it off when stopping. Do this only to save a towing charge until you get home or to a shop. This process will drain the battery fairly rapidly.

[@strangeroamer3219]

You're talking about shifting without the clutch. It can be done in most modern manual transmissions. I do it in my 2001 Toyota Corolla sometimes. But you shouldn't grind the gear at all. Not even a little bit or it will damage your gearbox. You need to shift smoothly.

[@DanielRobertspiano]

I live in Brazil and drive automatic all the time, but going out in my friend´s Beetle tomorrow! Will be fun. Although I´m from England so used to manual.

[@bruceberman8392]

The transmission in that 1959 VW was obviously replaced with a 1961 or later transmission, as pre-1961 VWs did not have synchromesh in first gear. In this video, the driver downshifts into first while the car is still moving without clashing the gears. That is only possible with a synchronized first gear, or by double-clutching, which the driver obviously did not do.

[@pamgodsoe9076]

My first manual transmission was a 78 VW Rabbit

[@jenniferoxanneholm1674]

GREAT video Kai!

[@paulnicholson1906]

I had a 2001 Ford Escape with a 5 speed. My daughter never learned to drive a manual in fact we bought her a new car so she would have automatic. Needless to say the new car was having problems and she was going back to school and I had to teach her how to drive the Escape in one day. The long and short of it was the Escape left our house with 5 gears but came back 6 months later as acthree speed 🙃

[@drf6377]

How did the gears decrease? I'm in the same position as your daughter was now and my dad is giving me his 66 beetle for college and I'd hate to mess up lol

[@paulnicholson1906]

@@drf6377 I think she shifted without pushing the clutch all the way down. The clutch disconnects the engine from the transmission so that you don’t damage it when shifting. To be fair to my daughter the Escape developed a leak in the hydraulic line for the clutch which made it not work properly but she didn’t know enough to get it fixed or tell me…

[@drf6377]

@@paulnicholson1906 oh! Thank you for clarifying it. My dad warned me about shifting without the clutch and then releasing it slowly but never explained why. Now That I get it, it will be harder to forget.

[@tommccabe4000]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks

[@davidharrell8890]

I love the steering wheel of that year! 😃

[@jackl1522]

Always start these cars in neutral with the clutch out. This keeps the flywheel supported and the rotating assembly unloaded. By starting with the clutch in, you’re pinching the main bearing set before it has oil pressure then spinning the crank, causing undue wear/endplay

[@danielabrego9133]

This guy is so freaking HANDSOME. I love my VW I wish he could come work on mine. 😔

[@sobelou]

Lovely memories. My first car was a 67 bug with a 1500 cc engine and it taught me to love manual transmissions. Good lesson, but I still don't see why you need to depress the clutch to start the engine if the stick is in neutral. Thanks!

[@FabioLuizBraggio]

Starting the engine with clutch depressed relieves the starting motor and the battery, since they don't have the extra load to move the gearbox besides the engine itself

[@beetleworks738]

I just got a 72 super beetle my dream car

[@Emperorprime]

59 Still had 1st gear unsynchronised. lucky for me you have a vid on double clutching ;)

[@bigmac3524]

I literally just bought a 1971 Volkswagen beetle like yesterday

[@ChoosePhilippinesPeaceLove]

Please show us, how you drive a Volkswagen love bug car, so one day I’ll drive my own car in the future!

[@SquatchNomad]

Can you come to a stop sign in 2nd gear, stop with clutch in, then continue in 2nd? Or should you shift down to 1st?

[@gfree4173]

Would like to see a semi automatic tutorial too.

[@bartjuhhh6416]

The beetle came with one, i saw one for sale online for cheap!

[@gfree4173]

@@bartjuhhh6416would of loved to have driven one.

[@henrygreer610]

my grandfather has this exact same color car but a 58, even has the same white walls lol

[@OnkelPHMagee]

Is the Beetle synchronized in first? Synchronization in first gear only became commonplace in American cars by the 1970s. Also, comparison with starting a manual with a carburetor and an automatic choke may be useful.

[@forneymuseumoftransportati5875]

It is unsychronized in first. VW Beetles became fully synchronized in 1961. We appreciate your suggestion and will be creating more how-to videos that focus on different transmissions.

[@wizzard5442]

I had a 59 Beetle without snchro on 1st. All you gotta do is double de-clutch and it'll go into 1st gear as smooth as silk. With auto-choke, all you gotta do before starting the engine, is depress the accelerator and lift-off, then turn the key and then away you go. No need to think about it, thats why its called "auto" choke - set and forget.

[@russlehman2070]

@@forneymuseumoftransportati5875 The oldest I ever drove was a '63. It was synchronized in all four gears. I did drive a couple of Scouts with non-synchro first gears. You could either use second (with maybe a bit more slipping of the clutch) or double clutch into first if you didn't make a full stop. Unless you were at less than 5 mph, or so, you could generally just use second gear. Doubl clutching isn't really too hard once you get the hang of it.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

@@russlehman2070 or float it

[@TheOzthewiz]

@@forneymuseumoftransportati5875 WRONG! I owned a 1956 Type 1 (beetle) in 1959.....it had THE SMOOTHEST 4-speed ALL SYNCHRO transmission I have ever had the pleasure to operate, and I have had MAN, MANY manual trasmissions since than. NONE can compare to the unit in the VW, it shifted SO smoothly from 1st to 2nd all you had to do was POINT it toward 2nd!!

[@maxschremmer1334]

So what needs to be done when coming to a stop sign or red light? Do you shift down all the way from 4th to 1st? Or do you just go to second and then clutch and break at the same time? Or is their another way?

[@dianlajdziak9307]

Are you asking how to downshift generally, or for this specific vehicle? VWs shift a bit different but this one looks like it's a 4 speed so if you can be a little more specific he can probably answer your question better.

[@maxschremmer1334]

@@dianlajdziak9307 for the beetle. I am learning manual on a 65 and having a hard time finding info on what to do when approaching a complete stop.

[@russlehman2070]

When I was stopping, I would usually hit brake and clutch at same time, and shift to neutral. If I came to a full stop, I would put it in first as I came to a stop. If the light turned green and I didn't have to make a full stop, I would put it in the appropriate gear for the speed, match engine revs, and release the clutch.

[@TheOzthewiz]

@@russlehman2070 If I came to a FULL stop I would pop it into neutral and brake as normal. You don't want to keep that clutch pedal depressed any longer than necessary to avoid added wear on the "throw out" bearing or clutch "pilot" bearing, even on VW not a cheap thing to replace!

[@KBauer-cs1rh]

I have always supported the breaks by downshifting in normal fashion and using the clutch/breaks on each gear. Do not grind the clutch doing that.

[@Classyk99]

I have a 1961 VW Manx , I am working on customizing it. But i am confused as to what all the buttons do.. To shift push down and to the left and back GOT IT , i think ....lol

[@gasparocelloman9852]

Love it!

[@jogmas12]

Why was not the modern bug not built the same way with the trunk in the front (frunk) and engine in the rear???

[@tracynation2820]

Super. 💙 T.E.N.

[@nicholasmartin1558]

How am I only now realizing that my 02 golf's transmission works exactly like this? I thought it was modern mt but apparently not

[@rorri2372]

I cant go into first gear if the car is not in a complete stop I have a 1991 bug, anyone knows why this happens?

[@sniper155]

I love this car. Air cooled baby! :-) 🇵🇭

[@TheOzthewiz]

And, built with QUALITY, like no other. West Germans were the BEST at manufacturing everything!

[@blade5054]

So I just bought a VW Trike and this might actually help me get it into reverse cuz I knew I was missing something I just didn't know what

[@willenmagri2393]

Please, color name ? fjord blue ? Tks from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@jonathanross149]

You should also mention the wipers powered by the spare tire

[@vayabroder729]

Not the wipers but the windshield washer...😉

[@poomped53]

Can't hear the first gear HOWL. Does it have a later trans? I had a '60 with the non synchro first gear. Oye that was un-fun in traffic.

[@TheOzthewiz]

A Type 1 without synchro in first? Must have been a faulty gearbox. My '56 had ALL -SYNCHRO, strange that VolksWagen would go BACK to a NON-synchro..

[@can_hauler]

No grinding would mean either a synchronized transmission OR the clutch peddle also controls a clutch brake like on a semi truck, the clutch brake stops the input shaft so you can smoothly shift from N to whatever gear you need from a dead stop (probably 1st in a personal vehicle, 4th or 5th in a 10 speed semi)

[@geoffviscount2857]

Am I missing something here? This is a video on how to drive a manual transmission VW Beetle? How is this different from any other modern standard transmission? Most of the vehicles I've owned in my life have been standard transmissions. Basically, all the same. This video could be for any manual transmission, not just a VW Beetle. I had a number of earlier Beetles ( all stick shift, of course ), and I even had a 1974 automatic stick shift model, also. And lastly, this doesn't address the older VW Beetles; you know, the ones with either complete " crash box " transmissions ( pre - 1952 models ), or the ones built from 1953 to 1960, that the top three gears were synchromesh, but first gear wasn't ( my 1957 was one of these types ). Starting with the 1961 model year, they were all synchromesh transmissions. You ad to drive those earlier ones differently than the later ones, also. Double clutching was a necessity.

[@johnteill_]

Whats the paint code for that color

[@tank123103]

Every beetle video I watch the inside of the car always sounds different, some are very loud some are very quiet. Could someone maybe tell me what it actually sounds like while you're driving?

[@raisafan4389]

My beetle is fairly loud, it sounds almost hollow inside. I don't know if its like that for all bugs but thats how mine sounds!

[@tank123103]

@@raisafan4389 okay cool! Thanks for the info ^~^. I guess it probably has something to do with whatever material is behind the back seat to dampen the engines sound.

[@russlehman2070]

@@tank123103 Partly. Also, air cooled engines tend to be a little louder as there is no liquid jacket surrounding the cylinders. It also depends on the exhaust. If it's stock, with no holes in the muffler or missing tailpipes, it will be much quieter than if the exhaust has holes, missing pieces, or has been modified (which was fairly common as people tried to squeeze a bit more power out of the small four-bangers in them).

[@TheOzthewiz]

@@raisafan4389 yes they were fairly loud. You have to remember these cars were built SPECIFICALLY for post War Europe, sound deadening and other such "luxuries" were not "deal breakers" to people that had recently been in a War where 50 MILLION people had been lost! Most of the survivors felt lucky if they had a bicycle for transportation!

[@lunarpking]

Don't have to have the clutch in while in neutral to start any Volkswagen as far as I know. My 74 Super Beetle and 94 Jetta didn't have a neutral lockout unlike every other stick shift I've driven.

[@Kagaines]

Mine is a 59. His name is Tanner.

[@bjorn2290]

Nice car ! VW looks better whit the german front headlights also more light in the dark

[@djef353]

👍👍👍👍👌🏆

[@MonkiBrown]

I can’t figure out how to reverse on my 63🤦‍♂️

[@oleanderkazzy_]

Imagine learning manual transmission from this antiquity 😭

[@howardbenoit7474]

I knew that car before you were born

[@jonathanross149]

Look at that bathtub bug

[@ChrisRichmond]

4:02 "Conversely, to shift back down, you do the reverse" ...probably not the best terminology! 🤣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4OtdoGMZdZ6mrs

[@moojuiceuk]

Not sure why the KZbin algorithm gave me this. I was expecting it to be some strange 2CV layout perhaps, but no, its the bog standard H pattern. As a British guy, I do find this a rather amusing video to explain how to drive a regular manual, given only 1.3% of UK drivers hold an "Auto only" car licence and manual driving is the norm. That said, give it a few more years and learners will only ever pass in an Automatic as electric cars take over.

[@Nebulasecura]

Likely applying to the American market over here where the majority of the population doesn’t drive manuals

[@TIARA4649]

Cute mask! :)

[@TheOzthewiz]

That choke should be moved to COMPLETELY OFF after about 30 seconds to avoid running on unnecessarily RICH mixture. Wastes gas AND dilutes the oil!!!

[@midwestcatz5896]

gawd damn im old ... This man is explaining a manual trans lol

[@historyboy08]

Take the mask off.

[@georgvonrauch5014]

Isn't is normal to make your driving license in a manual Trans car?

[@underdogphooey]

No, at least in california, you take the test in whatever car you bring.

[@reddmann2216]

Funny thing is the fact,that he needs to explain how to drive a manual,I guess most people in his generation don't know!

[@timleech]

They do in Europe, still manual tests over here.

[@garygardner3562]

25 years ago I helped a colleague and her husband move. I was in my mid 40s then, and the couple moving were five to ten years younger. But the husband had never driven a stick. So I drove the rental truck all day, in addition to lifting furniture, etc. I had driven a Ford 600 as a college summer job for two years, and learned to drive a stick on - you guessed it - a VW, a 1964 sunroof. If this video seems simplistic to some, it serves as a much-needed tutorial to many in the US - if they can find a vehicle with a stick.

[@Antarath]

@@timleech In Norway you can get a restricted driving license for automatic transmission, meaning you don't get permission to drive manual transmission cars. I can not see how anyone would want that. Maybe nowadays that so many cars are readily available with auto. transmission, both new and old, but 15-20 years ago was way different.

[@larabalboa9404]

That would be herbie

[@johnharrison8029]

That was amusing. I just hope nobody goes out and has a go at driving a manual car for the first time armed with just this! Nothing wrong with it, but are there people out there with a driving licence who don't know this? I've got an early Beetle and watched to pick up some obscure tip - not how to drive a manual car!

[@Antarath]

Hah, yeah I was watching this video and I was thinking myself "What did I miss? What's so special about the 59 bug?". Since english is my second language I was certain I missed some details, then I watched it again and realized he was basically just explaining how to drive a manual car in general. Doh..

[@Kagaines]

I hear mumph mumph mumph mumph with that mask on and no body nowhere.

[@pcno2832]

The mask nonsense has gotten insane, but they probably make him wear it. I'd be sick all the time if I had to wear one 8 hours a day.

[@M3231-s3v]

couldn't understand what you were sayin with the muzzle on. Couldn't make it past a few seconds.

[@metalman4141]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@johnn9322]

Never take advice from someone who wears a mask outside.

[@trtgers]

or from anyone who gets that offended by someone wearing one

[@johnn9322]

@@trtgers I’m just saying, I understand the fear people have indoors. But if you are in open air... outdoors... or in your own car.... you don’t need your stupid tin foil hat on your face. That’s like having a seatbelt installed on your home recliner.

[@trtgers]

@@johnn9322 hmm must be some sort of automated robot controlling the camera right?

[@johnn9322]

@@trtgers that has nothing to do with ridiculous face covering. I have not - do not - and will never wear one of these things. They’re almost as useless as the “vaccine” and are only a sign of submission to your overlords.

[@DJStrampoline]

I personally don't like masks, but it was a great video. People nowadays always wanna fight.

[@SantiagoS-mz4zz]

Europeans are used to handle manual transmissions.

[@MrMoto289]

Oh you youngsters, it wasn’t that long ago that nearly every car was manual transmission. My first car was a Volkswagen bug as were many other people’s first car. It’s kind of funny now to see this youngest generation look at a stick shift car as such an oddity🤣

[@TheOzthewiz]

The "youngsters" are LAZY and they are too busy texting, besides manufacturers LOVE IT. They make more money on "automatics"1

[@telman5221]

why are you wearing a mask, social distance from a Beatle

[@johnsergei]

Are you worried about getting the bogey virus?

[@wadesaleeby2172]

Do away with the mask Oswald...

[@scottydogx]

If you can’t drive a manual car you have no place on the road. What a loadacrap!

[@TheOzthewiz]

With a manual transmission, you are GUARANTEED against car theft!

[@TheOzthewiz]

@scottydogx you are right! If you got your DL with an automatic, you CANNOT LEGALLY drive a manual transmission vehicle!

[@richardwalker8398]

@@TheOzthewiz Not in the UK ;)

[@TheOzthewiz]

@@richardwalker8398 I live in Wisconsin, USA, although I WISH I lived in the UK! CHEERS!

[@Escalaarturo]

You need better sound or microphone, I can`t hear you

[@petekraemer6613]

What`s up with the mask?

[@John-xp8fc]

What's the mask doing ?

[@SteveCarras]

And some say this is girly. Maybe todays as they’re probably automatic

[@cyah9713]

Nice bug, why do a tutorial with a feedbag on, just destroy the focus point when someone has the thing on outside by themselves, im afraid when it comes off.....Yautja comes out.

[@zelphx]

HUH???????????????????????????

[@terrylee9932]

Ha ha, this is hilarious, a video showing Americans how to drive a manual gearbox ! 😀😀😀

[@johnmurray1944]

Nice clown outfit .

[@michaelsinclair8018]

It always amazes me that Yanks have no idea how to drive manual transmission.

[@Fluffy-Tail-0000]

WTF is the mask for? You are OUTSIDE!

[@SAS_VW]

Take the dang mask off 🤦‍♂️