How to Stop a Car with Manual Transmission

1. Push down on the clutch pedal.

The clutch pedal is the left-most pedal in a manual transmission car. When you push down on the clutch pedal, it disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing you to shift gears. It also allows you to stop the car without stalling the engine.

2. Shift the gear lever into neutral.

The gear lever is located in the center of the car. To shift into neutral, push the gear lever straight up or down. You should feel the gear lever click into place.

3. Slowly release the clutch pedal.

As you release the clutch pedal, the engine will start to reconnect to the transmission. You will feel the car start to slow down.

4. Apply the brakes.

Once the car has slowed down, apply the brakes to bring the car to a complete stop.

5. Turn off the engine.

Once the car is stopped, turn off the engine by turning the key to the “off” position.

Tips

• If the car starts to stall, quickly push down on the clutch pedal to disengage the engine from the transmission.
• If you are driving on a hill, use the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling backwards.
• Practice stopping the car in a safe location before driving in traffic.