How to Drive a Manual Transmission

Driving a manual transmission is something you can learn quickly on your own, within five minutes you can be proficient enough to get around just fine without much trouble. Learn proper use of the clutch pedal and gear shift, how to start, stop, and shift through the gears.
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[@Chris3460]

I drove a stick for years, and then took a motorcycle safety course. In the motorcycle safety course they made a point to teach us how to get the bike rolling without the accelerator - just like you did in the video. It all finally made sense, and I've been able to very easily teach people how to drive a stick from that point on.

[@belle6624]

really helpful thanks ❤️

[@charlottegardner6182]

I've been driving a manual transmission for 10 years now and I still learned something new from this!

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

My Dad taught me how the drive manual the same way🙏. He used to drive 70's Mercedes Benz rally cars

[@kellymoore5517]

Brilliant. I was just asked by a friend to teach them. The part at the beginning is probably the most useful. Don't do anything at first. Then practice in first gear for a bit. Get used to that and the conditions and consequences of that

[@mugensamurai]

Thanks! Great tutorial. My nephew's short attention span actually lasted throughout the entire video.

[@kogagreg]

Been driving manual for 18 years and I think I’m decent at it but always more to learn. I remember when I decided I needed to learn manual to be a better driver and I got a new Impreza in 2004. Must have stalled 100 times and thought it was the worst decision of my life. Then I took a breath and figured it out. I’m always trying to figure out how to get better at teaching people manual and this was good and simple. I do the no throttle thing on declines but I never really though about doing it so intentionally. That was great.

[@ryanspalding6252]

Great video! Never driven a manual so Ive always wanted to see a video like this with a camera on the pedals.

[@DGF545]

This is awesome! I was nervous about how to teach my son, but I’m literally just gonna show him this and then we’re gonna go practice each step. Thank you!

[@Teamoneilrally]

You're very welcome, happy we could help.

[@trykozmaksym]

"See the world moving forward" :D

[@wendystegemann7174]

Explained it perfectly. My dad gave me his 1983 VW Vanagon I can see where my problem is now. Thank you! Excited to excell!

[@bobedwards8896]

I drive manual perfectly, why am I watching this?

[@kedi4074]

Same lol

[@rhatala27]

Always good to go over the basics.

[@99percenter1]

Me too, but I watched it to learn how to quickly teach it to my daughters.

[@EdAb]

I've been driving a manual transmission, almost every day, for 35 years and I watched the whole thing too! I hate it when I don't make smooth shifts, so I was hoping he had some magical advice. Rough shifts make me feel like a total fool!

[@student8165]

Same, I’m a professional driver, like, I really don’t know how can I explain my friend how to drive a manual transmission.

[@DiscyBoyo3000]

This vid is awesome !!! I was half way from the dealership and was in the city and kept stalling . But after this video made it home alive !!! Keep up the good work !!!

[@davidnewman7088]

Excellent.. I taught driving for years.. and did it like this for std.. eliminate panic and ur half way there

[@BobbyBattista]

Best video that I've seen on the topic! I wish this had been around when I was learning. Fun thing to practice once you get to know your car, either by watching the tac and speedometer, or by listening/feeling it, you can switch gears without the clutch. eg you're in gear 2 and want to go to gear 3, you come off the gas, pop the stick into neutral, wait till the engine speed falls to where it would be if you were in gear 3, and just push the stick into place. If you're reasonably close with the timing, it will just pop in - if you're off, it will make the "why do you hate me" grinding sound until you back off. Eventually the attack/retreat to neutral move will happen less, and you'll be able to shift without the clutch. It's a useless talent but fun to pull off

[@TylerLinner]

Great video. It's almost exactly what I show friends when I teach them. The only other thing I'd add is to let the transmission tell you when it's ready to engage a gear. A friend of mine got a manual pickup and got into the habit of shoving the shift lever into the next gear as quickly as possible. I showed him to shift gently and let the RPM's drop until the shift lever easily slots in. As I understand, this saves the synchronizers because the engine and trans RPM's will already be matched at the time of gear engagement. If anyone has driven without a clutch for a little bit, it's basically the same feeling- the transmission will tell you when it's ready to shift. Anyway, love the channel. Keep it up. Can't wait to fix my new/old car up and get out on stage myself! Cheers.

[@danielvillalba7973]

Great video. Now you give me a good idea, roll cage and 5 point seatbelt just in case. I have a 14 years old son soon to be come a driver.

[@wendymce]

Great instructions. I've driven stick for decades but I'm about to teach a couple teens now and picked up some things from your video that will help that process.

[@Pedro5antos_]

Great video as always! Driving manuals is always fun

[@Abyssaeon]

Excellent instruction. Straight to the point, yet covered everything.

[@jordanbell4420]

Here in the UK, where everyone drives a manual, driving instructors go through several clutches each year, and one gearbox every few years. So if you can only drive autos just now, and want to learn to drive a manual, don't buy a nice car, like a BMW M car, or a Dodge Viper, or a Nissan Skyline R32. Buy a complete crapcan that you won't feel bad about breaking, and is cheap and easy to repair if/ when you do.

[@trykozmaksym]

Driving instructors obviously go through "several" learners as well :D no way anyone sane can break own car.

[@mwu365]

Damn, there goes my plans of getting a shiny new Viper as a learner car...

[@Shuten_Wukong]

Funny you mention an R32, because that's exactly what I had to learn with. Now that's a trusting friend.

Yes, but their cars are driven by students every day all day. You buy a car, learn to drive a manual in a few days, and boom you can drive nicely for the rest of your life.

[@jordanbell4420]

@ If you were to buy an Evo and spend a few days grinding the gears, you'll need a new transmission pretty soon.

[@tthrasher1296]

Thanks fam I forgot how to drive one I haven’t done it in years this refreshed my memory 🤘🏼

[@stephenmatlou1115]

I really want to drive, always I watch the videos ❤

[@scolaighe]

Very close to how I learned. We had a VW Beetle and an IH pickup with three on the column and I spent a lot of time in each getting used to the shift patterns and using the clutch.

[@HandsomeAlex25]

I wish this was available 2 years ago when I taught my wife how to drive stick. We are still together, but she doesn't drive. Period.

[@MinecraftManiacMC]

HandsomeAlex25 teach her now! Explain that if an emergency pops up. You’ll need her to drive!

[@JavierVillalobos]

For my daughter + my in car training

[@nbates66]

Nice video, woulda been handy last year when I was trying to teach my brother how to drive a manual, I am able to drive it myself but don't think I'm so great at explaining it.

[@davidhodsall3848]

My first manual transmission was a forklift. I wouldn't recommend this...

[@3DJapan]

My very first couple of driving lessons in the early 90s were on my dad's Toyota Celica manual. I had an awful time because I kept stalling and he got very frustrated with me which made me feel bad for frustrating him. Been on manual ever since. Even my current car has manual mode, which I think is kind of idiot proof but I don't know, I've been afraid to try it.

[@nancym1430]

Good video. Glad you mentioned the starting on a hill thing -- I learned the hard way when I ended up at a red light going upward on a hill, and the car behind me was about 3 inches from my rear bumper! I learned really fast, because I didn't want to roll back and hit the car. Nobody warned me about that! Would add -- newer cars seem to have the revers-lock collar, so you can't just shift to reverse as in the video--you have to lift the collar ring. And also - if your car doesn't have a tachometer, or even if it does, it's important to listen to the rpm sound of the engine to help to know when to up or down shift-- if you can do that, you don't really need a tachometer. Never did need to pop the clutch, but I should probably try it sometime.

[@polarborealis688]

Wrong, most of old cars like volvos 240 and opels had rear gear collar lock, newer cars didnt have that.

[@SpatialDragon]

What I would like to see is a show on how the different rally transmissions work. I know there are the old H pattern clutch, which I love, but the newer cars have a clutch pedal and a sequential stick shifter. I don't know how those are supposed to be shifted. Do you always use clutch, or just to start and stop... That kind of info would be great.

[@Teamoneilrally]

We definitely should! Until then... With a sequential, you only need to use the clutch to start and stop. You can shift without the clutch, just lift off the gas and pull the lever to shift up, push the lever to shift down. Most of the good ones have a "flat shift" switch so you don't even need to lift to shift up, it senses when you pull the lever and momentarily cuts ignition (lifts for you for the fraction of a second it needs to shift). You can of course use the clutch if you want to, like if you need to drive the car around a parking lot or on the street, but during a race most people only use the clutch on the start line and at the finish.

[@brad885]

Trying to teach this to my sister. Been driving manual for years.

[@emin4704]

Haha, didn't expect a video on this

[@dionlembut]

Lol, same here.. but good vid as always

[@ropersix]

I think a video on how to drive an automatic transmission would be good, too. I've had manual transmissions for all of my driving life, but sometimes I'm in an automatic (like a rental), and I'm never sure what to do going down steep hills.

[@scolaighe]

I would have given more time to listening to the engine to shift. Tachs are great but extra places for the eyes to go when driving can be distracting. Shifting by ear makes the process more autonomic, IMHO.

[@polarborealis688]

Also you can use only a clutch to stay on a hill. But you need to fell clutch very well. Revs are dropping and then you can feel moment when car dont go backward and just staying still. I use that alot. Not for beginners ofcourse.

[@osvarelar]

Excellent explanation

[@rufinopascual5390]

This is really helpful 👏 👌

[@funnydubby6401]

I learned in a 02 Ford F-350 so if I was able to drive that 6 speed I think it was, I’m able to drive any manual as far as I’m concerned, it was so hard getting out of first like geared so low lol.

[@iseewhatyoudidthere1245]

Thank you for this video !!

[@johnmothtech]

A bit weird that you can get a driving licence in some countries without actually knowing how to drive (a manual)... that being said might be worth mentioning a short pause when releasing the clutch and then adding a bit of throttle at the "bite point" or feathering the clutch not to make a car jolt?

[@nathananderson3845]

you think that's a bit weird? In most of North America you don't even have to learn or test on reversing. Yea...

[@FeralEngineer]

Some people just need a "butt-hauler" to move from A to B with minimal effort and have zero car enthusiasm. Let's not write them off :-). Make sure they know the rules, can steer and use turn signals and tell them to buy a car with a CVT - that's the best option for them. For a potential car enthusiast, the basic ability to drive a manual is an essential skill, even if that person will never daily-drive a manual. The dual-clutch transmissions are getting more and more popular. "A manual for the lazy, the euro-ricers and the lazy euro-ricers", I call the DSG7 (and I drive it daily) is finally becoming more reliable with the updates and spreads across virtually all the VAG model range, but if the driver has no clutch feel, the gearbox will be abused. Not to mention the uphill-start rollback with DSG that requires some skill with the handbrake or a momentary brake-to-gas foot throw. The car can't be held in place for a moment using a clutch pedal like you can do with a manual and tends to roll back a couple of feet completely freely, "clutched in", before the clutch auto-engages. Imagine starting uphill from a "clutch fully in, brakes already released" position - it's the same here, but the clutching action is bound to the gas pedal. Push it late or slowly - and you roll back, push it hard - and you drop the clutch.

[@jjacinth7009]

Great teach thieves how to car jack these too. Thanks

[@finngurgens3264]

Hit 'like' before ad was over.

[@wobblysauce]

What Ad?

[@finngurgens3264]

@@wobblysauce the one that plays before the video

[@alexm7777]

ad-block is here to save the day

[@profrook]

you forgot about emergency situation, if you need to brake really hard, just brake, ignore the clutch pedal, the engine will help you to stop, do not waste time to clutch in, engine will stall, thats true, but your safety first

[@polarborealis688]

True. Also you can prevent engine stall if you will clutch last second before car stops in this kind of situation.

[@liam3071]

When driving, never rest your foot on the clutch. The deadpedal to the left is there for a reason and also doesnt strain you foot as much

[@lisenormann4102]

No one EVER told me that I wasn't supposed to rest my foot on the clutch, it wasn't until I got my drivers license I figured it out on my own, my knee was constantly in pain, haha.

[@liam3071]

@@lisenormann4102 it also puts alot of useless wear on the clutch as well!

[@lisenormann4102]

@@liam3071 Yeah, I thankfully figured it out just a couple of days after I started driving my own car, so I didn't manage to do too much damage :)

[@MRrailaway]

Let natural selection do its job, let the stupid pay for their stupidity :p

[@c2h6-e]

amazing video, very helpful. BUT one thing i have a problem with videos telling me i can teach myself and also telling me to go to a parking lot AHAHAHA how do i get to one when i'm by myself

[@davidpaluca5303]

you're a grat teacher

[@djc2874]

best tutorial

[@groove9899]

I think its better to forget about the tach for complete beginners, i learned on a toyota echo without one, its less distracting and has less things to worry about instead of "wait till it hits 3k THEN shift" u understand it eventually

[@FeralEngineer]

For some - yes, but not for all. I was learning to drive in Dacia Logan (manual, of course) and I had no trouble with clutch, while at first I couldn't control the gas pedal well enough (it's like a hair trigger in Logan). Luckily, my driving teacher had an OBD scanner connected to the car at all times, so I asked him to turn a throttle percentage indicator on and in less than 3 minutes I could match the force I apply to the pedal and the throttle position readings and never had any problems with gas pedal again. So, some students need the "feel", while some other need exact digits to gauge their control inputs.

[@NerdyCatCoffeeee]

Never thought that a young Dominic Toretto was going to teach me on how to drive a manual

[@newdeathscope]

I could have used this on friday, had to drive 3 on the tree, and I haven't driven a manual in 5+ years.

[@ashtonswim4156]

This may sound like a stupid question but, if I am in fourth or third, do I have to shift to the gears previous before I shift to first.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Quick answer, no. In a manual transmission you can go from any gear to any gear and or shift to neutral at any time. Downshifting to too low of a gear at high speed can cause damage to your clutch, shifting too high of gear going too slow and you might stall the vehicle.

[@rodovelazquez]

Is strange to see how difficult it is for most of the US people to drive a manual car. That are really used to driving automatic transmission. In Argentina most of the cars are manual, so it's almost guaranteed that you will learn to drive in a manual

[@jaehonglee6823]

Good

[@absboodoo]

"... be able to drive a manual transmission as capably as ANYONE out there on the road..." Should I be worried or feel safe in this day and age?

[@netraanonymous1956]

absboodoo people that drive manual transmissions get in less accidents like shifting and texting yeah good luck

[@netraanonymous1956]

I used this video to learn to drive my 04 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart while i sitting in the parking lot 😂

[@Dan330i]

Can u still drive stick if you are a bit blind with your right eye

[@lisenormann4102]

Why would it be any different than driving automatic? You're not supposed to look down on the stick :)

[@hongpidai]

Question: When do you need to do rev match?

[@rex_s80]

李毅 this is so the transmission and engine are at a good rpm so that when you go into a lower gear, that the driveshaft is at a simular speed. This means that the synchros work less and it’s smoother than having to force the clutch to match the speed difference and it becomes rough.

[@atraxr603]

Mainly when downshifting, but you shouldn't concern yourself too much with it on the road driving normally.

[@Flowermouth]

You never 'need' to rev match. It's just better for the synchros and doesn't turn the passengers into nodding dogs when you decide to drop it a couple of gears. I would do it everywhere because it's engaging, but I'd say you only need to do it when you're about to pass someone. It's also nice to do when you go from a higher speed limit zone, to a lower one. Just a blip of 500rpm or so feels super smooth so the passengers don't notice it.

[@rex_s80]

flowermouth I like how you worded it. Hehe nodding dogs 😆

[@mr.conductor7625]

I believe this is video will mainly be of help to Americans...

[@kimmorrison9169]

Driving a manual trans isn’t hard UNTIL you hit a red light going UPHILL and then have to stop and restart WITHOUT rolling backwards into the car behind you OR stalling your engine trying to restart and going uphill. i live in a very hilly area. If you live where its flat its a no brainer.

[@alexeisenberg2834]

Been Stickin' since 81

[@keeganmartin1886]

Thought he looked an awful lot like the lead in Small Town Titans in the thumbnail scared me for a sec

[@jakebraun6376]

Ok but what about downshifting?

[@polarborealis688]

Whats wrong with it?

[@ZsomborZsombibi]

Heel&toe on a hill instead of handbrake :)

[@Teamoneilrally]

Definitely! Just thought that might be a little much for a "beginner" video, but yes 100%

[@amnottabs]

that's how I learned to do it from my father when I was a kid. Was kinda surprised when I saw my cousin using this method instead, also he does release it when the car's rear suspension starts to compress a bit down so the car "jumps" forward everytime

[@ZsomborZsombibi]

@@amnottabs indeed, and it is also useful when waiting for greenlight. The vehicle does not go back, so it helps to avoid crashing the car behind.

[@user-xp7pn5mh1b]

Ya, I did the same when I was learning stick, the handbrake technique never really worked for me

[@misterinfinity4076]

video demographic: 18 year old's and Americans.

[@ft420]

That's the truth though, only like 5% of American cars this year will have manual transmissions while 45% in the rest of the world.

[@DANEX7799]

Glad I'm in the first category

[@mexifinn7830]

And car thieves who were thwarted by manual transmissions

[@Teamoneilrally]

Edmunds.com reports that only 2% of cars sold in the US in 2018 have manual transmissions.

[@funnydubby6401]

Team O'Neil Rally School that’s crazy, I miss my manuals back in the day to brag about my mpg

[@johndough9187]

I hardly ever use the clutch for shifting...

[@leanderdato4764]

Gonna learn how to drive with my moms car. It has 6 gears tho. I‘m a bit intimidated

[@Icewind007]

Lot of Europeans bragging about having outdated technology...

[@tubularfrog]

When I traveled to Finland I was struck by the fact that almost all rental cars were manual T. I had to special order an Audi with an AT, nice car by the way.

[@alvinchan7746]

Suddenly realises the only manual stick shift cars offered come from supercars or everyday toyota cars. ;_; Rip variety

[@kanister60l39]

I learned to drive manual when i whas 12 y old whit datsun sherry beater and i think the majore reason murican mostly drive automatic is because u can get drivers licence when u are 16 y cant really understand why anyone would let that gind of kid drive in regular traffic

[@iancho9587]

drivers license when 16 is so scary, but alcohol & tobacco@ 21 :) Most murican don't really know how to operate a car - no commons sense of speed, distance, wet/slippery conditions, brake use etc. whats even worst now -- a murican with his/her mobile device in the car.

[@kanister60l39]

Ian Cho xD thats like puting a baby in control of a big plane but prohibiting walking until age of 5

[@davisrodricks]

🚗💨

[@HunterMikeWI]

Now some millennial is going to steal my car, dang it!

[@Gskill2011]

Lol oops too late I've been driving stick since 2007.

[@markbalan8274]

I don't even have a driving licence or a car, why am i here.

[@Mannex17]

this video is 7 minutes. uhhh, false advertising much??? /s

[@xnopyt13]

*Posts a 8 minute video*

[@mr.conductor7625]

Well explaining takes more time than doing.

[@xnopyt13]

Mr. Conductor what I meant was that the title says 5 minutes lol

[@rebturtle]

This guy has never driven: A. Any European manual - Left up is reverse B. A car with less than 200 HP - try learning a stick in a 1980's compact 4 cyl. Easing out on the clutch without the gas isn't going to move you forward. It's just going to stall the engine

[@FeralEngineer]

Modern Dacia, late 90s / early 00s Audi, VW and Skoda, some of the 00s French manufacturers are european enough, but shift to R via a "right and back" move.

[@polarborealis688]

Both A and B = false.

[@rsfantasy5052]

This so too easy wtf?

[@dustinallyn6732]

First