Properly Driving a Manual Transmission Car in Tampa Will Prevent Frequent Car Repair

Driving a car with manual transmission is very different from driving one with automatic transmission. Making the transition from automatic transmission to manual transmission may be tricky but is not impossible to learn. Learning how to drive your manual transmission car properly is essential in preventing frequent car repair at your auto service center. According to our automotive mechanic in Tampa, it helps if you get to know how the manual transmission system actually works.

This is what happens when shifting gears in a car with manual transmission. As soon as you press on the clutch pedal, the dog clutch wheel in the transmission disengages from the previous gear. As you shift to another gear, the dog clutch wheel also moves to that shaft gear. As you release the clutch pedal, the teeth on the collar of the dog clutch wheel engages with the holes in the chosen main shaft gear. A grinding noise is heard when the teeth of the dog clutch wheel is not properly inserted into the holes of the chosen main shaft gear.

It is also very important that the engine be revved up to the correct RPM level as the clutch engages a gear. Otherwise, the car will lurch or even stall.

When starting the car from a full stop, press the clutch pedal down to the floor and shift to first gear before pressing on the gas pedal just enough to rev the engine up to a level just higher than idling. Maintaining that RPM level, slowly release the clutch pedal halfway then pause. This pause also allows the teeth of the dog clutch wheel to line up in synch with the holes of the chosen main gear shaft before engaging and locking in properly. Then you can release the clutch pedal completely.

To increase speed, press on the gas pedal to accelerate enough for the next gear. Press the clutch pedal down to the floor while simultaneously releasing the gas pedal. Shift to the higher gear and immediately but slowly release the clutch pedal halfway while simultaneously pressing slightly on the gas pedal to stop further deceleration. You pause slightly at this point to ensure that your gas pedal is revving the engine up to the proper level. Then you can release the clutch pedal completely.  You do the same when you want to increase speed to the next gear.

To slow down, press the clutch pedal down to the floor while simultaneously releasing the gas pedal to decelerate. Shift to the lower gear and immediately but slowly release the clutch pedal halfway while simultaneously adjusting the gas pedal to the right RPM level. Again, you pause slightly at this point to ensure that your gas pedal is revving the engine up to the proper level. Then you can release the clutch pedal completely.

To stop, first release the gas pedal to decelerate until the engine reaches an RPM level just above idling. Press the clutch pedal down to the floor and shift to neutral. Release the clutch pedal completely and step on the brakes to make a complete stop.

Before leaving the car, make sure that you always engage the emergency brakes first. This is necessary to lock the wheels and prevent the car from rolling.

When learning how to drive any car, it pays to know much more about it than just the auto AC. Learn how to drive your manual transmission car properly and decrease the possibility of frequent car repair at a Tampa auto service shop, except perhaps for AC repair. Make sure any diagnostic inspection of your car does not show damage from improper handling.