Q&A for How to Start a Manual Car

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  • Question
    What is the biting point?
    Community Answer
    This is the point where the two parts of the clutch start to make contact with each other. Essentially, it refers to the point in the clutch pedal's travel where you feel the car start to move.
  • Question
    What makes a car turn off when restarting it?
    Community Answer
    Releasing the clutch too quickly makes it stall, hence you will need to start the process again.
  • Question
    Do I need to fully release the clutch before pressing the accelerator after turning on the car?
    Community Answer
    The clutch must be at the 'Biting Point' before you can press the accelerator. If not, the car will stall. At a few inches released, the clutch usually finds the biting point.
  • Question
    How do I stop the car when I am about to come to a stop sign?
    Community Answer
    Push the clutch in all the way. Then press the brake. When you want to get moving again, take your foot off the brake, then slowly depress the clutch until you get to the "biting point," then press the accelerator pedal to start moving again.
  • Question
    When should I put the car into gear after I start it?
    Community Answer
    When you're ready to drive. General rule of thumb is to let the oil pressure rise for 10-20 seconds after starting, then clutch>first gear and go.
  • Question
    What would have happen if I pressed the brake and the clutch while driving full speed?
    Community Answer
    The car would lurch and grind to a halt. In extreme cases, the clutch can actually explode. This is known as an emergency stop and should ONLY be used in emergencies. You will not stop instantly, but you will stop at 4x the speed of a usual halt. In extreme cases, the car can flip or roll.
  • Question
    When are gears 4-6 used?
    Community Answer
    These gears area usually used when the road is free and you want to speed up.
  • Question
    Do I need to press the brake or the clutch when slowing down in a manual car, or should I press both?
    Community Answer
    Both. Clutch suddenly and break slowly.
  • Question
    What gear should I use while on a hill or mountain?
    Community Answer
    You should always start off in 1st gear, especially if you are going uphill. If you don't, you could damage the car.
  • Question
    How do I reverse a manual car if I want to get it out of a garage onto a steep driveway?
    Community Answer
    You ensure the car is neutral. Then, with your left foot, fully press the clutch as your right foot presses the brake. Shift the gear into R and slowly remove your left foot from clutch as you gently press the gas.
  • Question
    How do I park a manual car?
    Community Answer
    With your foot still on the brake and clutch, put the car in neutral, then pull the e-brake all the way up.
  • Question
    If I am turning a corner or roundabout, what gear should I have my car in?
    Community Answer
    That depends on how fast you're going. However, you should never downshift into first while moving faster than approximately 5 mph. Usually, you'll want to be in second. If you're in third and start to notice your RPMs are low, downshift into second.
  • Question
    What is the biting point?
    Community Answer
    This is the point where the two parts of the clutch start to make contact with each other. Essentially, it refers to the point in the clutch pedal's travel where you feel the car start to move.
  • Question
    Which gear should I start with in a lorry?
    Community Answer
    To go back, use R and to go forward, use D. To push the car with your hands, use N. For going up a mountain, use 2 or B tand o come down from a mountain, use L.
  • Question
    What will happen if I press the accelerator first and then release the clutch during start up?
    Community Answer
    Always start with the clutch or the car will stall.
  • Question
    How do I start an automatic car?
    Community Answer
    You just have to put the key in the ignition and turn if the car is an automatic.
  • Question
    Do I need to press the clutch to keep the car in neutral?
    Community Answer
    No. You need to press the clutch to put it into neutral, but you don't need to keep pressing it.
  • Question
    How many gears does a manual vehicle have?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the car you're driving, as well as the transmission. Most have between four and six gears.
  • Question
    How do I change gears while driving?
    Community Answer
    Press the clutch down fully and release it slowly every time you go into a gear.
  • Question
    When do I shift gears in a manual car?
    Community Answer
    When you hear the car engine racing and when the RPMs are around 2500 or 3000.
  • Question
    When do I shift gears from 4 to 2 or 5 to 3 when I'm already driving?
    Jack Begley
    Community Answer
    4 to 2 when approaching roundabout or junction, 5 to 3 when speeding up fast.
  • Question
    How can I stop the car when it is in motion?
    Community Answer
    You will need to press the clutch down, then push on the brake whilst releasing the clutch to stop the car.
  • Question
    What gear do I need to be in when starting a manual car?
    Community Answer
    You need to be in neutral, but make sure the clutch is fully depressed and the brake is engaged before you ignite the engine, then shift to first gear.
  • Question
    When do I take my foot off the clutch completely?
    Community Answer
    After finding the biting point and depressing the gas pedal, while still coming off the clutch. It should take between 1-3 seconds, but usually less than 2. It'll only take a second when shifting any gear besides first.
  • Question
    Can I lift the hand brake during an emergency?
    Community Answer
    The only time a hand brake should be used during an emergency is when the hydraulic system (main braking system) has failed. The hand brake is disconnected from most vehicles' hydraulic systems and actuates the rear brakes only with a cable system. Therefore caution should be taken when applying the hand brake so that the vehicle slows down in a controlled manner and so the rear tires do not lock up. The anti-lock function does not apply to the hand brake system. If the hand brake button is not held in position, the lever will hold the brake and it may be difficult to move the lever up and down during an emergency situation.
  • Question
    What gear should I use when I am going up a steep hill?
    Community Answer
    You should always start off in first gear, especially when you are going uphill.
  • Question
    How do I find the biting point on a manual vehicle?
    Community Answer
    You can find the biting point by releasing the clutch slowly without the intervention of the accelerator. The car will start moving (biting point), and from there you can depress the accelerator slowly while releasing the clutch simultaneously.
  • Question
    What are main differences when starting an automatic transmission compared to manual?
    Community Answer
    With an automatic transmission, you don't need to put the vehicle in neutral or press the clutch when starting.
  • Question
    How many minutes should I wait before changing to the next gear?
    Community Answer
    Gear changes aren't time-dependent; you use whichever gear keeps the engine's RPMs in the proper range depending on speed and terrain.
  • Question
    When do I release the handbrake?
    Community Answer
    When you have reached a biting point, and checked the mirrors and your left hand side to ensure that the road is free. That's when you can release the handbrake, when you are ready to go.
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