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To pass a driving test and obtain a driver’s licence in Zimbabwe, one is required to use a vehicle that has manual transmission.
But with these types of vehicles fast disappearing from our roads, especially the private cars, learners are often caught flatfooted because their informal driving lessons at home or with friends are done using cars with automatic transmission.
In fact, a good number of 16 to 22-year-olds interviewed by this writer said they had never seen a manual transmission vehicle being driven. This is the age group flooding the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) for licences, which is why Government is contemplating allowing automatic cars for road tests.
In fact, many who passed their driving tests using manual vehicles struggle to drive one a few years after their successful tests. As such, this week’s column will start by familiarising you with this form of transmission so that when one gets to do the practical, he or she would at least have an idea of how the manual system functions.
The basic concepts of starting and shifting through the gears is a manageable process for just about anyone. To drive a manual vehicle, you will need to familiarise yourself with the clutch, become comfortable with the gear shifter/lever, and practice starting, stopping and shifting gears at various driving speeds.
Firstly, one has to familiarise what each significant part of a manual car does as follows:
The Gear Shifter/Lever
The shifter is located directly above the transmission, typically in the centre of the vehicle, between the driver and the passenger seat. You will operate the shifter with your hand to change and select the desired gear in the transmission. You will use the shifter to select Reverse, Neutral, 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, and so on.
The Clutch Pedal
The clutch pedal is located directly to the left of the brake pedal. It is mostly operated with the left foot on several vehicle makes. It operates the clutch mechanism which connects the vehicle’s engine to its transmission. If the clutch pedal is in the up position (toward the driver) then the transmission is connected to the engine and the vehicle will be propelled by the engine if placed in a forward or reverse gear.
If the clutch pedal is in the down position (toward the floorboard) then the engine and the transmission will not be connected and the vehicle will not receive power from the engine.
The Parking Brake/Handbrake
The parking brake is typically operated by hand and located in the centre console, though sometimes it may be located near the floor to be operated by the foot.
It must NOT be confused with the brake pedal. The parking brake is what keeps the vehicle from rolling while placed in neutral if the brake pedal is not depressed. It is used to keep the vehicle stationary while the ignition is off and the vehicle is parked.
Starting Off
Start on level ground with the car engine off. Make sure the transmission is in neutral, and the parking brake is engaged. If it is your first time driving a car with a manual transmission, start slowly and methodically.
Put your seat belt on once you sit down. While learning, it can be useful to roll down the windows. This helps you to hear the sound of the engine revving and to shift gears accordingly.
The pedal on the left is the clutch, the middle one is the brake, and the accelerator is on the right (remember it is from left to right, as C-B-A). This layout is the same for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars.
Most importantly, learn what the clutch does. Before you start pushing down on this unfamiliar pedal on the left, take a moment to figure out the basics of its function.
The clutch disengages the engine from the wheels. When one or both are spinning, the clutch allows you to switch gears without grinding the teeth of each separate gear.
Before you change gears (either to move up or down), the clutch must be pressed down to reach the floorboard with your foot.
It is my desire that we learn step by step without rushing it. Next week we will continue with the next steps to take until one can safely drive off without any hindrances.
Thank you for following through every week and I value your awesome feedback after every article. Nhau/Indaba
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