Automotive Examiner - Doing it with the Left Foot and the Right Hand

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Automotive Examiner

Doing it with the Left Foot and the Right Hand

POSTED May 7, 5:19 AM

Almost anyone can learn to drive a standard transmission

when they put their mind to it, right? Well, sometimes not!

However, almost anyone can learn to drive a standard

transmission if they go about it the right way (or rather

the left foot way).

The easiest way to learn how to drive a standard

transmission is simply by first focusing entirely on the

left foot (letting its coordination become equal to that

of the right foot). Sounds simple, but training the left

foot is really the biggest part of smoothly moving down

the road.

Getting Started

To get started, have someone who has a vehicle equipped

with standard transmission drive you to a large flat vacant

parking lot. Your friend should be in the passenger's seat

to provide supervision when you drive.

In the parking lot with the vehicle's engine turned off, apply

your right foot to the brake pedal, and practice getting a

feel of the clutch pedal by pushing it in and out with your

left foot.

Shifting Pattern

Next, view the shift pattern shown on the top of the shift

knob. 1st gear is usually located by pushing the gearshift

lever forward.

Then, with the clutch pedal pushed all the way in, move

the gearshift through the gears (i.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th,

and reverse) a few times and then put the gearshift into neutral.

Neutral is located in the middle of the shift pattern. In simplest

terms, picture the shift pattern as a H (reverse and 5th gear

are also added in).

The crossbar of the H represents neutral. When the transmission

is in neutral, you should be able to move the gearshift to the left

and to the right.

Getting the Feel

With the transmission in neutral, start the engine and then

press the accelerator lightly to get the feel of the accelerator pedal.

Next, take your right foot off of the accelerator completely and

let the engine just idle. Push the clutch pedal in completely,

hold it in, and place the gearshift into 1st gear.

Next, continue to keep your right foot off of the accelerator,

but very slowly let out the clutch until the vehicle just begins

to creep forward. Try to become aware of how far you have

let the clutch pedal out when the clutch just begins to engage.

This is accomplished by moving the clutch pedal in and out just

a little bit (about 1/2 inch) to get the vehicle to begin slowly

rolling forward.

Work on slowly letting the clutch pedal out until you can get

the vehicle to move forward at a couple miles per hour in 1st

gear without touching the accelerator. If the vehicle stalls, it

is not a big deal. Just push the clutch pedal in, and restart the

engine.

Keeping it Smooth

Your goal is to be able to smoothly let the clutch pedal out

(with no accelerator) and have the vehicle move slowly forward.

The purpose of this step is to allow you to focus solely on training

just your left foot for a smooth controlled clutch movement.

Concentrated training of the left foot will help you to avoid the

herky, jerky, and stall routine. A routine can be so frustrating

when you are first learning to drive a standard transmission.

Once you are comfortable not using the accelerator and letting

the clutch out smoothly, you can practice pressing the accelerator

lightly and letting out the clutch.

After you are able to drive the vehicle in 1st gear, practice

releasing the accelerator, pushing the clutch in all the way,

moving the gearshift in to 2nd gear, and letting out the clutch.

Shift out of 1st gear at about 10 miles per hour and 2nd gear

at about 20 miles per hour. Drive in the large vacant parking

lot in 1st and 2nd gears until you feel comfortable (most slow

speed turns are done in 2nd gear).

Planning the Route

When you feel comfortable and want to begin driving on public

streets, have your friend drive you to low traffic secondary roads

and accompany you to provide supervision. The next step is to

plan driving routes that will allow you avoid starting and stopping

on roads with hills. With a few miles under your tires, and continued

use of your left foot, you will soon be able to hold the vehicle on a

hill when starting out.

In no time at all, you will be driving like a pro and shifting into 5th

gear overdrive.

I welcome your comments or car questions at my auto web

site: www.drivethebestbook.com.

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Kyle Busch
Kyle is an auto enthusiast and consumer advocate with over 30 years of experience. Author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He welcomes your comments and car questions on his website www.DriveTheBestBook.com . Kyle’s car has over 490,000 miles and he even has the same name as the #18 NASCAR driver.