Trying to teach someone to drive stick...

[Vuflanovsky]

I think that if you've driven an automatic for years and suddenly want to learn how to drive a stick it might depend on the vehicle if that's a success long term...as some will be put off by a heavy clutch with a definable friction point versus a numb clutch that ( combined with today's engine idle management ) is considerably easier. My take is that they likely have to really want to drive a manual if their intention is learning so they can purchase a new manual stick vehicle.

I learned on a heavy car clutch that was more like a leg press stack than something that transitions gears. If they're a new adopter of using a manual transmission like that in a stop and go commute environment, then there's a good possibility they'll be hating life. So maybe it's beyond just learning to also include the type of clutch that's in the vehicle they'd like to buy and the particular driving patterns they'll be seeing.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: javacontour



Originally Posted By: eljefino
Age... maybe.

Most cars have pretty good idle speed controls. I'd force him to make a ton of starts without touching the gas. Just feather the clutch up until it bogs (and moves) then reflexively back down, so the car is then slowly rolling. The computer will notice the dip and compensate the idle.

Repeat, but with more "meat" each time, until you get the thing idling along with the clutch up.

He's been driving for 15 years using only one pedal at any given moment, and the right foot. Just has to train his left foot.

For chapter 2, combine feet.


Bingo!

This is how I taught my 15 year old daughter how to drive.

We started in my Mazda with a 5 speed before she was allowed to drive a car with an automatic.

Sunday morning at the empty parking lot of the shopping mall. I started with the car on a slight down slope to provide the maximum chance for success. Then we moved to a level section. Doing just as was described, finding the friction point where the clutch begins to grab without touching the accelerator.

Finally, we got to where she could shift into 2nd or 3rd and drive around, stop, etc.

Then, take her on the road....


Exactly what I thought while reading the first post....exactly.

 

[Bud]

I taught both of my kids to drive a manual in the early 90,s. We would go up to the high school parking lot in my MGB on Sunday mornings, and I turned them loose. After they got the hang of everything I took them out in traffic. When they both got their first cars they went with manual transmissions.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I leaned how to drive a standard when I was 9-10. We had a deer lease with an old army jeep for the lease vehicle. I just jumped in it and went,no problems at all. I'm guessing those were non-synchro'd transmissions? No power brakes,no power steering,etc. That thing was fun!! I remember 1st gear being a granny gear,it'd coast up the steepest hill out there without using the accelerator at all.

 

[Nick1994]

I did pretty good learning when I was 17 with my dad in his FJ Cruiser. I already understood the concept for the most part. The only thing that got me was being on an incline, my dad never told me I could slip the clutch just a little. I was under the impression that the clutch had to be completely released before pushing the gas pedal. I kept stalling it in the driveway until I finally asked, "wait, can't I just slip it a little?" And he said yes. He never told me beforehand lol.

 

[Gasbuggy]

I have taught several women how to drive stick and I did it with high performance cars because they were the only manual trans I owned (still the case). My secret is to first explain how a clutch and clutch pedal works against the engine by either drawing something out or using an analogy that they understand. When you don't understand the mechanics it must be really confusing, I understood the mechanics of it before I was old enough to drive so I never had to be taught. I find that the mistake everyone makes is thinking that clutch pedal movement and movement of the car is linear, so when it first grabs they should continue to let off to keep moving. I find having them bring their foot up slowly then have them hold it in place when it starts to grab, then a little gas, ... then let the clutch up. If you can avoid a stall on the first attempt it really boosts confidence. My last girlfriend, by the end of a first lesson, was able to pull out from a dead stop in 3rd gear. Just avoid stopping on any hills unless you can hold a handbrake for them.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Most cars have pretty good idle speed controls. I'd force him to make a ton of starts without touching the gas. Just feather the clutch up until it bogs (and moves) then reflexively back down, so the car is then slowly rolling. The computer will notice the dip and compensate the idle.

Repeat, but with more "meat" each time, until you get the thing idling along with the clutch up.

He's been driving for 15 years using only one pedal at any given moment, and the right foot. Just has to train his left foot.

For chapter 2, combine feet.

^^ This all day long. It's how I learned, and how I've taught. Wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[KD0AXS]

I taught my wife several years ago when we bought a $500 beater Saturn. She got the hang of it in about 10 minutes. Now the Jeep in my signature has the 6 speed manual and it's her daily driver.

 

[gregk24]

As others have mentioned, I have had success teaching my brother how to drive stick by having him let off the clutch slowly while using no gas, that way he could feel the engagement point. Some people just don't grasp the concept as well as others. He is not a car guy and that certainly didn't help. He was eventually able to catch on and drives around just fine now, but when I go ride with him I notice he has awful habits like riding the clutch, jerky shifts etc. I was taught how to drive stick when I was maybe 15 or 16 by my ex's father. He simply told me how it worked and I was off, no stalls, rough shifts etc. It helps a lot if you fully understand how everything works together.

Edit: also tried to teach a high school buddy so he could drive on our senior trip (I was the only one who knew how to drive stick). Lets just say he failed miserably lol. For some people it just doesn't click. I had to tell him we were done since he was grinding gears and jerking us around like we were on a mechanical bull lol.

 

[bunnspecial]

I had never driven a manual before I bought my MG at 27 years old. I asked a co-worker drive me up to buy it, so he dropped me off, we signed the title and exchanged the cash, and away I went for the ~60 miles home.

I admit that the first trip home had some scary moments. I circled the sellers house a half dozen times before getting out onto the road. I couldn't start without a chirp, or even make a shift into second without the same. After I got it home, it was probably 3 days before I drove the car again. I made myself get out and drive it, though, and within a few weeks I was comfortable enough to drive it anywhere. I stalled the car a LOT during the first few weeks, but finally got it. Regardless of how good of a manual driver you are, I think it's impossible to not stall at least occasionally, but it's definitely a much more rare event for me(like once every month or two) than it was at first(a few times a day).

Way back in the day, my mom bought a new '84 Corolla having never owned a manual before. My dad drove it home from the dealer, and she stubbornly kept her previous car that she'd agreed to sell to my brother before he finally gave her an ultimatum on it. Meanwhile, she and my dad spent MANY evenings in the parking lot of the local Sears(the place where everyone goes to learn to drive a manual). Although my mom could drive it, she never "got" it. She drove it by the tach and talks about how she would sometimes sit through 2 or 3 light cycles before she got the car started. I think she's someone who just can't/won't learn to do it.

 

[Al]

Driven sticks for 55+ years. Easy on the gas slow to release the clutch even though they will first use more clutch then they should. Its tempting to teach them to let it out quicker for the sake of less wear.

Some pick it up quick. Others, not so much. My wife picked it up very quickly. Daughter, not so much.

 

[demarpaint]

I tried teaching my wife over 30 years ago, in all honesty my patience was lacking, and the thought of having to possibly replace a clutch didn't help. My brother taught her in no time flat, and she ended up driving a stick very well. But with traffic being what it is on L.I. 30+ years later she has no desire to drive a stick again.

 

[bullwinkle]

I taught my wife how to drive a stick-then I taught her how to drive my old MT Escort...

Seriously, the trick is to have rhythm-gas pedal foot in, clutch pedal foot out, then vice versa when coming to a stop. Do it gently, preferably in a car with a hand emergency/parking brake to stop roll back on hills, with practice it's not that hard.

 

[Run]

I learned to drive manual not that long ago. I been driving for 10 years now. I found the taking off part hardest to learn. I could change gears flawlessly but just struggled with the launch. The only thing I have to master is taking off on hills. That is the worst.

Best places to learn aside from parking lots are industrial areas after hours.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted By: javacontour



Originally Posted By: eljefino
Age... maybe.

Most cars have pretty good idle speed controls. I'd force him to make a ton of starts without touching the gas. Just feather the clutch up until it bogs (and moves) then reflexively back down, so the car is then slowly rolling. The computer will notice the dip and compensate the idle.

Repeat, but with more "meat" each time, until you get the thing idling along with the clutch up.

He's been driving for 15 years using only one pedal at any given moment, and the right foot. Just has to train his left foot.

For chapter 2, combine feet.


Bingo!

This is how I taught my 15 year old daughter how to drive.

We started in my Mazda with a 5 speed before she was allowed to drive a car with an automatic.

Sunday morning at the empty parking lot of the shopping mall. I started with the car on a slight down slope to provide the maximum chance for success. Then we moved to a level section. Doing just as was described, finding the friction point where the clutch begins to grab without touching the accelerator.

Finally, we got to where she could shift into 2nd or 3rd and drive around, stop, etc.

Then, take her on the road....

X2 with my 15yr old daughter in her new 5 speed Saturn ION

 

[fdcg27]

Driving a manual is a pretty intuitive skill for anyone with any mechanical savvy.
The first stick I ever drove was a car I was repossessing, in what we called a steal, in that we just went and took the car without speaking to the buyer in default.
It was easy and really fun to drive with three pedals.
I then bought an MGB as a personal car. I was about twenty two at the time.
A guy I worked with never did get the hang of it and used to get me and another to take stick cars for him.
Knowing how to drive a manual is less important these days, since manual cars are thin among newer cars, even sporty and exotic ones.
Still, a manual is always more entertaining to drive than an automatic and if you have to drive, then you may as well be entertained in the process.
Most younger drivers have no idea what they're missing.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Age... maybe.

Most cars have pretty good idle speed controls. I'd force him to make a ton of starts without touching the gas. Just feather the clutch up until it bogs (and moves) then reflexively back down, so the car is then slowly rolling. The computer will notice the dip and compensate the idle.

Repeat, but with more "meat" each time, until you get the thing idling along with the clutch up.

He's been driving for 15 years using only one pedal at any given moment, and the right foot. Just has to train his left foot.

For chapter 2, combine feet.


I think it's best to learn manual on something with an actual granny gear and torque to take off without stalling. My focus will not take off in 1st gear without a bit of throttle.

 

[bioburner]

Surprized no one compared trying to drive a manual car with riding a motorcycle. My first driving experience was a Moline tractor that had a stick to control the clutch and shifter. One really had to plan things without syncro gears but the clutch lever had about two foot of travel.

 

[clinebarger]

I don't think leaning to dive a stick is all that important these days, Don't the cars that your buddy is looking at come with Automatics aswell??? Or is this one of those "Chest Thumping-I'm a MAN" Type things??

I dove manual shift trucks for 30 years before my current 2500HD.....Never going back!!

 

[Tomioka]

There's a fun factor when driving stick. I was driving the beans out of my neighbors Toyota Tundra V6 5spd after solving a driveability issue which turned out to be a dirty MAF sensor and a defective air filter. No-fun factor would be driving in traffic with a heavy load.