Many people prefer manual shift cars because they usually cost less than automatic transmissions and when properly driven it may reduce fuel consumption. 

How Do Manual and Automatic Transmissions Differ?

In manual transmissions there are usually four or five gears in forward and in reverse. In manual transmissions the choice of the forward gear determines the power delivered by the engine to the drive wheels. 

An automatic transmission set in Drive will shift the forward gears for you, however, when you operate a stick shift you must change gears by hand. As you pick up speed shift to a higher gear and as you slow down you shift back down from high to low gear.

To change gears you break the connection between the engine and the transmission by pressing the clutch pedal to the floor. When the clutch pedal is released the engine is again engaged to the transmission. 

How Do You Operate a Car with Manual Transmission?

The key to driving a stick shift car is mastering the clutch which you will use each time you shift gears.

• Starting the Engine

Press the clutch pedal to the floor with your left foot, press the brake pedal with your right foot, turn the ignition key to start. 

• Putting the Car in Motion

In order to get a manual shift car moving you must learn to coordinate the use of the clutch with that of the gearshift and the accelerator. Only through actual practice can you gain the experience needed to master stick shift driving.

The key to smooth clutch operation is learning to sense the friction point. This is the point when you let up the clutch pedal, the engine and the transmission engage. The easiest way to get a feel for the friction point is to practice by using reverse gear.  Because reverse is a lower gear than first, you’ll find it easier to sense the friction point. 

Follows these steps to put the car in motion:

1. Press the brake pedal with your right foot and with your left foot press the clutch pedal to the floor. 
2. Shift into First gear. 
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Check for traffic in your rearview and side view mirrors. Look over your shoulder to check blind spots.
5. Switch on your turn signal to indicate the direction you plan to move. 
6. Slowly let the clutch up to the friction point. 
7. Move your right foot from the brake to the accelerator.
8. As you press down gently on the accelerator, slowly let up the clutch pedal all the way. 

If the car jerks forward, you either release the clutch too abruptly or you press too hard on the gas pedal. If the car lurches and the engine stalls out, you’ve not fed the engine enough gas.

• How Can You Use Each Forward Gear?

Your selection of gears depends on the power and speed you need for various driving tasks.

1. Low or First gear gives the power needed to set a car in motion generally up to 10 mph.
2. Second gear lets you go as fast as 10 to 25 mph depending on the horsepower of the engine and whether the transmission is 3, 4, or 5 speed.
3. Third gear is used for all speeds over 25 mph up to 45 mph.  
4. Fourth gear is used for higher speeds from 45 to 65 mph.
5. Fifth gear is used for speeds higher than 65 mph.

• Shifting to a Higher Gear

1. Accelerate to a speed appropriate for the gear you want to be in.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor.
3. Release the accelerator.
4. Shift to the next higher gear.
5. Press again on the accelerator. Release the clutch pedal part way.
6. Let the clutch pedal up all the way.

• Downshifting

Downshifting allows you to gain power, to accelerate, to steer effectively, to brake the car on a downslope and to slow down or stop. To shift to a lower gear follow these steps:

1. Release the accelerator.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor.
3. Shift to the next lower gear.
4. Release the clutch pedal to the friction point. 

You do not have to downshift through each lower gear as you slow down or stop. It is more difficult to shift from Second to First as you have to bring the car almost to a complete stop. 

• Stopping

To stop from a low gear follow these steps:

1. Check mirrors for following traffic.
2. Tap the brake pedal to flash your brake lights and signal drivers behind you that you intend to stop. 
3.  Press the brake pedal to reduce speed. Then press the clutch pedal to the floor to keep the car from stalling.
4. Apply smooth, steady brake pressure to bring the car to a stop. 
5. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and shift to Neutral. 

To make an emergency stop press the clutch pedal to the floor and use the threshold brake.