How to drive guide

The gearbox allows the car to smoothly shift between gears. In an automatic transmission, the on-board computer shifts gears for you. In a car with a manual transmission, you must first release the gas pedal, ...

The gearbox allows the car to smoothly shift between gears. In an automatic transmission, the on-board computer shifts gears for you. In a car with a manual transmission, you must first release your foot from the gas pedal, depress the clutch, move the shift lever to gear, and then release the clutch again while depressing the gas pedal. drivers have problems when they first drive a car with a manual transmission.

Manual transmissions provide better fuel economy than an automatic transmission, as well as better performance and drivability due to more gears. And while driving a car with a manual transmission requires more effort than just shifting into gear, hitting the gas and moving away, once you learn how to balance the gas and clutch and learn how to change gears, it becomes an enjoyable experience. giving you more control over the car on the road.

Part 1 of 2: How a manual transmission works

To truly take advantage of the added fuel economy, performance and control that a manual transmission offers, you need to have an understanding of how it works, including the location of the shift lever and the various parts involved in the shifting process.

Step 1: Deal with the clutch. The manual transmission clutch disengages the transmission from the engine when stopping and changing gears.

This allows the engine to keep running even when it is not necessary for the vehicle to remain in motion. The clutch also prevents torque from being transferred to the transmission when shifting gears, allowing the driver to easily upshift or downshift using the gear selector.

The transmission is disengaged using the left pedal on the driver's side of the vehicle, called the clutch pedal.

Step 2: Understand your shifting. Usually located on the floor of the vehicle, some gear selectors are located on the drive column, on the right side or under the steering wheel.

The shifter lets you shift into the gear you want, and most of them have the shift pattern they use printed on them.

Step 3. Deal with the transfer. The transmission contains the main shaft, planetary gears and various clutches that engage and disengage depending on the desired gear.

One end of the transmission is connected via a clutch to the engine, while the other end is connected to a drive shaft to send power to the wheels and thus propel the vehicle.

Step 4: Understand Planetary Gears. The planetary gears are inside the transmission and help turn the drive shaft.

Depending on the gear, the car moves at different speeds, from slow in first to high in fifth or sixth gear.

Planetary gears consist of a sun gear that is attached to the main shaft and planetary gears, each of which is inside a ring gear. As the sun gear rotates, the planetary gears move around it, either around the ring gear or locked into it, depending on the gear the transmission is in.

A manual transmission contains multiple sun and planetary gears set to engage or disengage as needed when upshifting or downshifting in a vehicle while driving.

Step 5: Understanding Gear Ratios. When you change gears in your manual transmission, you are going into different gear ratios, with a lower gear ratio corresponding to a higher gear.

The gear ratio is determined by the number of teeth on the smaller planetary gear in relation to the number of teeth on the larger sun gear. The more teeth, the faster the gear will rotate.

Part 2 of 2: Using a Manual Transmission

Now that you understand how a manual transmission works, it's time to learn how to use it while driving on the road. The most important part of using a manual transmission is learning to work the gas and clutch together to move and stop. You also need to know where the gears are and how to shift without looking at the shift lever. As with everything, these skills must come with time and practice.

Step 1: Know the Layout. For the first time in a car with a manual transmission, you need to familiarize yourself with the layout.

Determine where the gas, brake and clutch are located. You should find them in this order from right to left on the driver's side of the car. Locate the gear lever, which is located somewhere in the area of ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe center console of the car. Just look for a knob with a shift pattern on top.

Step 2: Go to first place. After familiarizing yourself with the layout of the car, it's time to start the car.

First, make sure the shift lever is in first gear. To do this, fully depress the clutch and release the gas pedal. As soon as the gas pedal is released, move the selector to first gear.

Then release the clutch pedal while slowly depressing the gas pedal. The car must move forward.

• Functions: A great way to practice shifting is to turn off the engine and apply the emergency brake.

Step 3: Switch to second. Having gained sufficient speed, you need to switch to second gear.

As you pick up speed, you should hear the engine revolutions per minute (RPM) get higher. Most manual transmission vehicles require upshifting at about 3,000 rpm.

As you gain experience driving a manual transmission car, you should become more aware of when to change gears. You should hear the sound of the engine as if it is starting to overload. As soon as you shift for a second, the revs should drop and then start to rise again.

Step 4: Engage higher gears. Continue changing gears until you reach your desired speed.

Depending on the vehicle, the number of gears typically ranges from four to six, with higher gears reserved for high performance vehicles.

Step 5: Downshift and Stop. When downshifting, you are downshifting.

You can downshift as you slow down. Another option is to put the car in neutral, slow down, and then shift into a gear that matches the speed you're traveling at.

To stop, put the car in neutral and, while depressing the clutch, also press the brake pedal. After coming to a complete stop, simply shift into first gear to continue driving.

After you have finished driving and parked, place your vehicle in neutral and apply the parking brake. The neutral position is the shift position between all gears. The gear selector should move freely in the neutral position.

Step 6: Drive in reverse. To shift a manual transmission into reverse, place the shift lever in the opposite position of first gear, or as indicated on the gear selector for your year, make, and model of vehicle.

This includes shifting into reverse, so make sure you come to a complete stop before shifting into first gear again. Otherwise, the transmission may be damaged.

Step 7: Stop in the Hills. Use caution when stopping on an incline when driving a manual transmission vehicle.

Vehicles with a manual transmission may roll backward when stopped on a slope. Staying in place is easy enough as all you have to do is hold the clutch and brake at the same time while stopping.

One way is to keep the clutch and brake pedals depressed. When it's your turn to drive, lift the clutch pedal up until you feel the gears begin to shift slightly. At this point, quickly move your left foot from the brake pedal to the gas pedal and begin to press, slowly lifting your foot off the clutch pedal.

Another method is to use the handbrake in combination with the clutch. When you need to give the car some gas, step on the gas pedal while releasing the clutch pedal slowly while releasing the handbrake.

The third method is called the heel-toe method. When you need to give your car a boost, rotate your right foot, which is on the brake pedal, while you keep your left foot on the clutch pedal. Slowly start pressing the gas pedal with your right heel, but keep pressing the brake pedal.

Slowly release the clutch, giving the car more gas. Once you feel it is safe to take your foot off the clutch pedal without fear of the car rolling backwards, move your right foot fully onto the accelerator and release the brake.

Driving a car with a manual transmission is easy if you know how to do it. With practice and experience, you will quickly master the operation of a manual transmission. If for some reason you have a problem with your car's manual transmission, you can ask a mechanic to find out what you need to do to get it working properly again; and if you notice any grinding sounds coming from your gearbox, contact one of the AvtoTachki technicians for a check.