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Picking up from last week’s article, feedback revealed that a number of people, especially the youths, are keen to drive manual vehicles which unfortunately are fast disappearing from our roads.
Driving a manual car is the measure of a skilled and satisfied driver even though technology is pushing driving to a less complex system.
This week we familiarise ourselves with the basic procedure of starting the engine of a manual vehicle.
Ultimately, it will also be necessary to have knowledge of how to stop the car from running after stopping to park.
Starting The Vehicle
Your sitting position is very crucial as this can assure comfortability and proper access to your controls.
Adjust the seat position so that you can access the clutch pedal’s full range of motion.
Slide forward enough to allow you to press the clutch pedal fully to the floor with your left foot.
Press the clutch pedal and hold it to the floor. This would also be a good time to take note of how the travel of the clutch pedal differs from that of the brake and gas. It’s also a good opportunity to get used to slowly and steadily releasing the clutch pedal.
With practice, you’ll get used to using both feet in concert.
Once the clutch pedal is fully depressed downwards, move the gearstick into neutral. NEVER START A VEHICLE before making sure the gear shift is in the neutral position.
This is the middle position that feels free when moved from side to side because it would have been detached from the transmission and should freely move.
Don’t try to use the gearstick without having the clutch pedal depressed, because it simply won’t work.
Start the engine with the key in the ignition, making sure the gear stick is still in neutral. Make sure the handbrake is on before starting the car, especially if you are a novice.
NB: Some cars will start up in neutral without the clutch depressed, but some newer cars will not due to advancements in vehicle safety.
Remove your foot from the clutch pedal with the car still in neutral. If you are on level ground, you should remain stationary and you will start rolling if you are on a hill.
When you are eventually ready to move, make sure to release the handbrake (if it’s engaged) before you drive off.
Avoid Starting Vehicle In First Gear
If you were to start the car in first gear then it will cause the car to jump forward causing damage to the transmission of the vehicle, its exterior, and the vehicle’s surroundings.
While keeping left foot on clutch, turn the ignition. Wait for the engine to start before letting go of the key. Once the engine is running, it is safe to take your foot off of clutch, but make sure the parking brake is pulled up.
From this point one should expect to see the movement of the car. This implies that you have embarked on your driving journey.
Stopping The Engine
Once the car is in a position in which it can be parked, keep your foot on the clutch until the gear shift is in neutral. If the foot is removed from the clutch before the car is put into neutral, the car will jerk forward.
Afetr finding a spot to park, engage the parking brake. Once the parking brake is up, you can remove your foot from the brakes. The car is now parked.
After Stopping The Engine
Place car into first gear. This step is optional and an extra precaution. Once the ignition has been turned off the car can be placed into first gear as an extra precaution. This can be done by pushing down on the clutch and then placing the gear shift into first gear.
The key can now be taken out of the ignition.
Each step of the process is important and seems a bit tricky when you are just getting started. However, with more practice driving will become easy and enjoyable.
Will conclude this topic next week and by then I believe most of you will have followed through the process until you become a good driver.
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