How to Turn on a Manual Transmission Car

Prerequisites

1. Park the car on a flat surface.
2. Put the car in neutral.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Set the parking brake.

Steps

1. Depress the clutch pedal fully.

   This will disengage the transmission from the engine.

2. Turn the ignition key to the “on” position.

   This will power up the car’s electrical systems.

3. Start the engine.

   This will start the car’s engine.

4. Slowly release the clutch pedal while simultaneously pressing down on the gas pedal.

   This will engage the transmission and start moving the car forward.

5. Once the car is moving, you can shift into second gear.

   To do this, depress the clutch pedal fully, move the gear shift lever to the second gear position, and then release the clutch pedal slowly.

6. Continue shifting into higher gears as you accelerate.

   To do this, depress the clutch pedal fully, move the gear shift lever to the next highest gear position, and then release the clutch pedal slowly.

7. To downshift, depress the clutch pedal fully, move the gear shift lever to the next lowest gear position, and then release the clutch pedal slowly.

Tips

• Don’t be afraid to stall the car. It happens to everyone when they’re first learning to drive a manual transmission car.
• If you do stall the car, simply depress the clutch pedal fully, turn off the engine, and then restart the car.
• Practice makes perfect. The more you drive a manual transmission car, the easier it will become.