[Laneco]

I prefer to teach people to drive a stick in a parking lot with a slope. Start facing down hill and work on learning to feel the friction zone in the clutch. In/out, in/out. Right foot braking ONLY which forces you to lift your foot OFF the gas to apply the brake. Master 1st gear stop/start on the downhill slope, then move cross slope, then to the slight uphill (avoid steep hills, those are for more advanced drivers).

I teach people to start the car with the clutch all the way in, foot on the brake. Then put the transmission in neutral and keep right foot on the brake while we talk about the next steps. Very important to teach people to keep the right foot on the brake and to fully depress the clutch during starting. Old cars do not have a neutral safety interlock and WILL start in gear. So the foot on the brake, etc., teaches an important safety point. If you are going to be sitting somewhere for a while (e.g. while being instructed) putting the vehicle in neutral with foot on the brake saves wear on the clutch.

After 1st, logically to 2nd and third. Then downshifting 3rd to second. Then taking vehicle to a stop, and into first gear.

Driving a stick is increasingly rare. But like nice footwork when dancing, it is an admired and elegant skill. If you are anywhere near me, I would be delighted to teach you!

angela