Manual transmission cars are not dead.
Quite contrary to popular misbelief, manual transmission is still the most chosen method for automobile purists. And, it will still be around for at least a decade or two before we notice a complete shift to automatic vehicles.
Before that time comes, it’s evitable that you’ll have to learn to drive a manual car from a reputed driving school in Frankston. Having said that, let us familiarise you with manual transmission, what it is, and why it is here to stay!
Make the Clutch Your ‘Best Friend’
Use your left foot only for the clutch, and not for any other pedals. When you are not engaging the clutch, you need to switch the gears to start the vehicle. Make sure you’re not stepping on the clutch. But, when you do, push it to the floor. The clutch is rammed down when the motorist wants to shift gears or apply the brakes.
Familiarise Yourself With Gear Shifts
Although vehicles can differ in their number of gears, the bare-boned layout is still the same. The first gear will be in the top left, with the second gear just below it. The third gear will be in a position right to the first, with the fourth lower at the base, and so on. If you have an older model, it’ll probably have only 4 gears, but the newer and more powerful ones can even have 6–7 gears.
However, the Story of the Reverse Gear is Different!
In most cars with a 5-speed transmission, the reverse gear is usually placed at a position where the 6th would go – bottom right, below fifth. If your vehicle has the reverse gear somewhere else, then there’s an extra step to get there. It can be like pushing the down shifter or lifting a switch below the shift knob. This is something only an instructor from a reputed driving school in Frankston can teach.
Upshift & Downshift
As a vehicle gains speed, you’d need to move up to a higher gear. Here, you need to depress the clutch completely, move the shift knob to the next higher gear, and let the clutch out again smoothly.
Although it might be tempting to rev the engine during gear shift, avoid it at all costs. This puts unnecessary strain on the engine. This is the reason you feel a rubble or a jerking when you shift to a higher gear while travelling slowly. This can also be the case when the car is suddenly brought to a stop without shifting it to a lower gear. These are some crucial points to keep in mind when appearing for a driving test in Frankston.
Now, this brings up the question, whether you should be taking up manual driving lessons in Frankston. The answer is yes! Manual cars are still going strong in Australia, and driving one saves fuel and prepares you to become a seasoned driver.
Enrol For Driving Classes at Steadfast Driving School
Dial 0403 776 152 to book an appointment with one of our driving instructors. To find out what’s best for your case, get in touch!
