How hard is it to learn manual?
Posted by Previous-Mechanic914@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 243 comments
I (17) am looking to buy my own car. I’ve been looking at cars and I think I found a pretty good deal. 2007 Honda Fit Sport for $3,500. The only problem is that it is a manual. I have only ever driven automatic and learned automatic. How hard is it generally speaking to learn manual?
Practical-Earth3228@reddit
Ive always felt that braking would be more complicated to understand in a standard then acceleration.
Empty_Radio3517@reddit
it is no problem. 30m to learn lowk
RoppFTW@reddit
Partially depends on how long you've driven and how much you paid attention to how and why things happen the way they do. Learning manual can be very difficult. In my experience, people seem to find it easier to learn on a vehicle that has a less sporty setup, since they tend to be looser. Think old farm truck, as opposed to an 80s Mustang.
littlemonky420@reddit
realistically, the only “hard” part is taking off, especially on an incline. give it more gas than you think you’ll need when starting out, and see what the car does. taper off from there. a few stalls and accidental hard launches later, you’ll figure out how to adjust.
after you get a loose understanding of that, just rip down back roads to figure out how to shift smoothly.
it really should take you less than an hour behind the wheel to get a decent grasp on the concept. i promise it’s not hard, it’s just different is all.
MrMackSir@reddit
I learned enough during a single test drive with instructions from the owner lot to drive it away. After that it was about 2 weeks to be reasonably comfortable and about 2 months to be proficient
Steelywaivrn@reddit
It is easy to learn manual, first look at YouTube tutorials on how to drive manual and give it a go, it’s fine if you stall as your still learning
Nstraclassic@reddit
Not hard if you do your research. My first manual was a 2025 type R and drove it 100 miles in rush hour traffic the 3rd day I had it. It was kind of do or die at that point so cant say i recommend putting yourself in that situation but i learned quick lol
kizzla_mixedvibes@reddit
No offense but it would be insanely easy to learn on a Type R with all of the built in assistance lol
Nstraclassic@reddit
Any modern car is going to have hill assist and rev matching is pretty common now too.
kizzla_mixedvibes@reddit
Not necessarily true there are still raw manual production cars without assists
Nstraclassic@reddit
Name one
kizzla_mixedvibes@reddit
Porche 911, GR86 and the GR Corolla to name a few thanks for challenging me though 🤣
Nstraclassic@reddit
Those all have advanced convenience features just like the type r...
kizzla_mixedvibes@reddit
No they do not lmao the 911 with the sports package is meant for raw manual feel dawg lowkey a pussy for needing assists
Nstraclassic@reddit
What the fuck are you talking about? A $100k porsche absolutely has hill assist and rev matching lol. You have no idea what youre talking about
badhoopty@reddit
i figured it out at 12 by sneaking my moms car out in the middle of the night...
also had prior experience with clutch basics from having a dirtbike.
its not at all hard. im sure theres some youtube stuff thatll break it down.
nynv1226@reddit
Not too hard you'll eventually get it. I think what helped teaching my son was going to an open level ground area putting it in first, clutch in, no brake, and having him slowly lift clutch to where the car started to bite and car moved forward. Once he got the idea we used the same concept but introduced giving it throttle too.
leorker@reddit
Not that hard actually. Everyone just like to overhype. But once you get the concept of the manual its easy
Sammyanniemacncheese@reddit
It really wasn't that hard for me, I learned in a couple afternoons. I sold my car to my sister and she never got it. Stripped the clutch.. it was awful riding in the car with her and she had the thing for years until it just got tired of being driven like shit and stopped working.
SnowWhite317@reddit
send it. whats the worst that can happen?
benz58@reddit
About four hours of lurching & stalling. Not to mention white-knuckling it on some hills from a start. Then, it becomes second nature.
Ok-Examination-8312@reddit
The easiest way to explain it is start on a level surface and slowly take your foot off the clutch until car starts to move. And when it starts to move keep slowly taking your foot off the clutch . Then you learn where your release point is on the clutch and go from there .
No-Leek-5321@reddit
I learned on a kei truck that had a fried clutch for my first job. You’ll be fine. It’ll probably be easier than that god awful putt putt
Silver-Neckbeard@reddit
Perfect car for the money and the best part is that its a manual. Go for it! You'll learn it in no time and have a blast.
anodraeus@reddit
Not that hard, but it is hard to be taught properly, as I've noticed a lot of people are bad teachers. I think the hardest part is understanding the clutch pedal, next what gear to use with what speed/rpm, downshifting, and then gas pedal usage last.
hoodedrobin1@reddit
I learned how to drive a 1500$ S10 on the way home from the mechanic shop I bought it from.
Watch someone else with a manual drive and then go try it.
SweetSweetRegret@reddit
A 20 year old Honda fit is not worth $3500
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
Is it a bad deal? I’ve been looking for a decent car to get me through college next year. It only has 147,000 miles on it
SweetSweetRegret@reddit
I wouldn’t touch any small engine at 170k miles.
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
good thing it’s not at 170k then
SweetSweetRegret@reddit
What’s it at
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
147k
muley_julie@reddit
It's not hard! Maybe a bit of a learning curve, but you got this! I remember when it really seemed to click for me; I was sitting in my old Toyota pickup (new to me at the time) on level ground and I just sat there with the truck off and the clutch pushed in, and ran through the gear pattern over and over until it was imprinted in my brain. Some clutches can be adjusted too so if the one in your car is too much of a pain to operate you might be able to have it adjusted a little to be more operator friendly.
DeepEstablishment942@reddit
It isn't all too difficult, just takes practice to learn the muscle memory
Rock_Samurai@reddit
Not hard. I drove manual when I was 10. Find someone who knows how to teach you. Spend a weekend in a deserted stretch of road, preferably a really long steep hill climb. You’ll have it down in a weekend.
Top_Independence2676@reddit
Google it, I'm sure there are some exercises out there. It used to be the 'Standard' transmission. Yo' great granny's drove them....
TheChair303@reddit
It's super easy
West_Juggernaut1748@reddit
There are entire generations that grew up without automatics even existing. You’ll be fine.
Benchod12077@reddit
It’s not that hard you can learn in a weekend and a Honda fit is a perfect car to learn cause it’s easy to drive and the clutch is light
mne1237@reddit
Its pretty easy. More than half of the world still drives manuals. Thats like, few billion people. You will need 10 days to learn it at maximum.
You just have to think about it a little bit.
When you are in gear, engine transfers power to the wheels. When you are in low gear, you should drive slowly, as you pick up the speed and hear your engine gettinf louder, you put it in a higher gear.
Now clutch. When the car is stationary, you cannot put it in gear, as the gear makes the car move. So if you dont move, the car will shake and stall. So, you oress the clutch. The clutch disconnects the engine and the gears and you can chill with your clutch pressed. Need to stay still longer? Put it in neutral. Neutral also disconnects the engine from the wheels so you can chill for hours if needed without the need to press the clutch.
reptifishv8@reddit
Its extremely easy to learn. If you can walk you can drive manual.if you do do the hokey poker and stick your left foot in and shake it all about you can drive manual. I dont understand why some people try to make out its some special skill when its not at all.
BombZoneGuy@reddit
The hardest part is finding someone willing to let you learn on their vehicle.
Due_Ad_6085@reddit
Honda is the just about the easiest manual to drive. It is very different from automatic and you'll probably embarrass yourself in traffic a few times but it's worth it.
Floppie7th@reddit
Not very
klb2121@reddit
You can do it. Just don’t be hard on yourself. Like other people have said I stall my manual from time to time. Been driving manual for 25 years. Don’t get frustrated and go practice in a parking lot or out on a country road. Starting and stopping are what you want to practice. Shifting from gear to gear is easy while you’re already moving. It’s also a great skill to have in general.
Netizen2425@reddit
It's so easy I watched Matt Farah's video series, bought a manual car, and drove it home.
AdorableFarmer2961@reddit
22, learned on an s2k a few weeks ago, took me 30 mins to get the hang of it, 30 more to feel confident going through gears in an empty lot, then was able to drive on the main street, got nervous and did stall though since a car honked while i was getting into first and i dumped the clutch
but overall, good enough to drive on the main street it took me 1.5 hours
Ratboy-to-Cowboy@reddit
Honestly perfect car as I literally did the same thing I learned how to drive manual when I bought my 2007 honda fit in 2012. I still drive it today.
AvidGameFan@reddit
As some others have said, a small Honda is great for learning manual. It was months before I was completely comfortable with it, but if you can get someone who's a good teacher to show you how to get started, it's not so bad. First few days will be rough.
My sister tried to teach me with her Toyota, and I just couldn't get it to work. I bought a manual shift car anyway, and stuck with it. Looking back, I think the synchros were gone on that Toyota, and she just had the right "feel" for when to shift. After a while, you'll develop the feel for when it is the perfect time to shift.
Responsible-Baby-551@reddit
When I taught my oldest son I put the car on incline and told him how to start off without the car rolling back. After about 20 tries he got it
AirialGunner@reddit
Not that had you just release clutch imagine you press a sponge and you lift for foot slowly then you realise the disk start to grab on the clutch give gas slowly and release at the right time.
Although some cars start moving even of release the clutch without gas
Responsible-Exam-911@reddit
I can do it, so that means it’s definitely not hard to learn.
Simple_Egg7527@reddit
The first vehicle I bought was a manual. Had it dropped off at my house and taught myself in 30 mins. At least enough to get around. You’ll get a hang of it quick.
RemoteVersion838@reddit
Millions of people around the world learn every day. Its only North America that has always been in love with automatics. Perfect car to learn on. Small, light and modern so it will be very tolerant of bogging it down.
chodeobaggins@reddit
Good car to learn on, had a fit when I was 18 and it had one of the best/smoothest feeling transmissions I've ever had.
Lower_Pangolin3891@reddit
This might sound corny but you can actually practice some without the car to start. A major problem for new stick drivers is not being able to move the left foot and right foot independently in different directions. The hardest part of driving a manual is getting going from a dead stop (either in 1st gear or reverse). You can visual while sitting on a couch or chair that you have your left foot on the clutch your right on the gas. Then keeping your left foot flat and right foot with the heel on the floor but balls of the feet raised a few inches, you raise the balls of your left foot while lowering the right. Make any sense?
Like this video: https://youtube.com/shorts/9jN7t9_6K64?si=5pZXpUKYOT-AAVHd
Original-Day4173@reddit
I wish I were 17 again and learning to drive manual. Lol. I got myself first manual in 2019 for 4k and 115k miles. I did 'not' know how to use it. Lol. Friend drove it home for me and over the weekends I took it to the industrial area near my place with huge empty parking lots and just practiced driving, up shifting, down shifting. A cop even drove by and saw me and we chatted. He said 'technically' its illegal for you to be here but he was understanding on my fear of driving on the main roads so he let me go. Honestly. Learning isnt hard. Watch some videos and practice and youll be good to go ij a couple weeks. Have fun!
ConsequenceNational4@reddit
Honda is what I learned on but was a Civic was a great car to learn. Still drive a manual 33 years later.
MediumAd3331@reddit
To move it traffic a few hours or weekend. To downshift confidently a month. Hill starts are the trickiest to master
momalle1@reddit
It's easy. Before there were automatics, every single person that drove figured it out. It's not above the average person.
PerformanceDouble924@reddit
That's the perfect car to learn on and it will be so much fun. It's not that hard. A few afternoons, then a few random embarrassing stalls over the coming weeks, and you'll be all set.
SCREAMINCHEEESE@reddit
I've been riding motorcycles and driving manuals for 30+ years and I'll still stall from time to time.
Gian_Doe@reddit
Also 30+ years daily driving a manual, still stall on a rare occasion too. I find it more amusing than embarrassing these days, like really bro?
Unless I'm in traffic.
TeaMugPatina@reddit
I apologize to my car. =(
CrimeBot3000@reddit
Just remember that the clutch on each car has its own personality. They are not all alike
Longjumping-Buddy847@reddit
You mean the clutch might not be like the one that the OP has never driven?
AmbitiousPeanut@reddit
I don’t know why you’re getting downvoted as I was thinking the same thing. He’s never driven a manual before so the advice doesn’t pertain to his situation.
ForgottenGrocery@reddit
For some reason My mom’s old Daihatsu Xenia would slightly change its clutch personality every time she brought it for the regular oil change and service.
My Suzuki Swift’s is pretty much the same the 10 years I had it.
Tasty_Cod_7354@reddit
Some clutches require adjustment. Some are self adjusting
llIIIlIllII@reddit
V8s are the perfect cars to learn manual on because you don’t really ever need to use the throttle to get going.
Tasty_Cod_7354@reddit
Yeah except then when you drive a car they does require throttle you have no idea how...
A low torque car is better to LEARN so you can understand the intended operation better.
llIIIlIllII@reddit
I went from having a 1992 Corvette as my first manual, then went to a 1993 Civic. There was no issue. Probably just a problem with you.
Tasty_Cod_7354@reddit
I've taught almost 20 people how to drive manual and have been driving manuals myself over 20 years. I'm speaking from experience. Lots of it
llIIIlIllII@reddit
And you had multiple people go from driving high torque cars to low and struggle with the lack of torque?
Tasty_Cod_7354@reddit
I tried teaching people at first in multiple vehicle types and yes those that learned in higher torque vehicles struggled at first in lower torque because high torque allows you to be pretty lazy and not learn proper technique. Those who learned in lower torque learned proper technique and had no problem adapting to the lazier style higher torque vehicles permit.
Not hard to understand.
tweeblethescientist@reddit
C5 corvettes are fantastic for learning. You can almost drop the clutch with no throttle and no stalling and they are surprisingly tame to drive. They open up really well but are not hard to drive easy.
DuaLipasTrophyHsband@reddit
V8 pickups, low range it’s almost impossible to stall
Ill_Arm_4097@reddit
I have taught several rookies how to drive a standard shift, it’s really pretty easy. I go to a parking lot early on a Sunday and put them in the drivers seat. I have them get the car rolling without giving it any gas. You can do it, just be very slow letting the clutch out. Then I have them just add the tiniest bit of gas. Then practice several time giving it more gas. It’s all about matching gas with clutch release and finding your clutch engagement spot. Next it’s just practice on local streets. Then we learning to pull out on a hill, the hardest skill to master. Now you go it!
AngelsHero@reddit
I learned to drive on a neon with a broken shifting fork I had to learn to start in third lol
Stedlieye@reddit
Upvote for this. As long as the car is healthy, Honda Fit is an easy easy manual transmission. Perfect to learn on.
jango-lionheart@reddit
Honda shifters are among the best.
grundlemon@reddit
It would be a problem if it was auto, thats a wonderful first car.
Scared_Caramel3839@reddit
It’s easy, do it
cmiller683@reddit
It's not hard, and you can do it. Practice. YouTube is a great teacher, use it. Find a friend who can teach you.
Find an open, flat parking lot. Put the clutch in, put it in first gear, and very slowly let the clutch out. You'll feel it start to engage. You can then let off the clutch and start to give it gas. (You can also give it full gas and dump the clutch if you want a fun burnout!)
When the RPMs get too high, push the clutch in all the way, shift up, and let the clutch out (you can do it fast this time).
Starting out in first gear is the hardest. But you'll learn it, don't be afraid.
Mysterious-Edge5721@reddit
Its not hard to learn to start driving it. To get good to a point where you dont have to think about it like an automatic, that will take some time. It all depends if you want to deal with that. Most people dont.
djltoronto@reddit
On a scale of easy to hard, it is exceedingly easy.
To put it on a scale of 1 to 10 for easy to difficult, it would be approximately a zero.
So easy that quite literally anyone can do it.
SiggaSunsinger@reddit
It can be as hard or easy as you make it. We live in a world where most knowledge is right at your fingertips. One YouTube video can “teach” you how to drive stick; the rest is you practicing. It’s not difficult but it’ll take a bit of time.
My first car was a manual and I had to learn by myself. But now I have a lifelong skill!! And it is quite enjoyable to drive manual cars.
Donkey_DNA@reddit
Also, you are fully in control of your vehicle in all conditions with a manual, ability to downshift to slow down and avoid using thr brakes. So nice in ice and snow up here in Canada eh.
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
Good for Minnesota too then!
MultipleOrgasmDonor@reddit
Just keep in mind that getting a perfect down shift while you’re stressed as hell because traffic is stopping and you’re not sure if you can get enough grip takes years of practice, and that’s totally normal. Don’t get discouraged!
ghostofEdAbbey@reddit
Yes, once you get proficient, a manual can be helpful in slick conditions.
I wish more vehicles in the US were still available with manual transmissions. Most people cite hills or traffic as the reasons they don’t want manuals, but I think it’s just laziness. Shifting becomes intuitive and does not require thinking after doing it enough.
Relative_Figure_601@reddit
…as well in Colorado! A Manual can give you much more control over the vehicle. I miss driving one!
BruinBound22@reddit
U had a manual for 10 years. Just bought it one day. Went out early the next morning to learn to drive it around the suburbs. Was mostly good the next day or two. Took about a week to stop worrying about hills.
its_secretly_me@reddit
I was in the same boat. I learned in a few days, and took it slow, only driving to work and the store, making sure to always leave alot of space between me and the car in front and avoiding large hills. I got the hang of it in a few weeks, with a few hiccups of course. Within 2 months I was comfortable driving anywhere like rhe freeway, hills, heavy traffic etc. It was so worth it!
sharkieshadooontt@reddit
I never drove manual. Bought a car from the dealer and had to figure it out on the drive home.
If you can visualize what your hands and feet need to do, its actually pretty easy.
Kaaawooo@reddit
I'm a confident and relaxed driver, and I picked it up in an hour in a parking lot and I was ready for city driving. My wife is a very nervous (but safe) driver, and she really couldn't get past the anxiety it gave her and freaked out if she ever stalled on the road. So it depends on your driving temperament quite a bit. Also, I taught my sister in a parking lot, and she didn't stall for the first 30 minutes in the parking lot just practicing starting from stopped, so she was a natural
KaleidoscopeOk3024@reddit
It’s mostly all about practice. It’s not a watch and apply sort of thing. You can be given tips and demonstrations but you won’t actually get it until you “feel” it. Generally it’ll probably take a couple of evenings to get it down and then a lot of stalls at stoplights for a bit.
Ashamed_Corgi_3693@reddit
Parallel park on a hill, you'll learn real quick
Edelweiss827@reddit
Some cars have more finicky gearboxes than others. My experience with Hondas is that they are springy and easy to deal with. You should be fine with a day or two of puttering around.
PeorgieT75@reddit
It’ll take a couple days. Find an empty street with a hill and practice taking off uphill until you can do it without rolling backwards or stalling.
SuspiciousCar2635@reddit
I taught my, wife, daughter & 2 sons to drive manual with no problem…
Traditional_Can_3983@reddit
I teach people at work all the time.
The trick is finding and learning the friction point. Once you have that you can add a little throttle and smoothly let out the clutch after you hit the friction point. After that it's pretty cake. I do suggest learning how to downshift though.
landob@reddit
I watched YouTube videos for about two months. Went to dealership bought a lil Pontiac with a manual. Limped my way out the dealership lot to a nearby empty school parking lot. Practiced in that lot for about 30min. Drove the car home with a stall out here n there. Proceeded to drive it to work every day. I felt pretty proficient by the end of the week.
Character-Attempt257@reddit
Ngl that’s bad ass
Nova-na8@reddit
It’s just like learning how to drive any other car, video game, etc. You just gotta learn by doing it, you can only learn so much from watching someone else.
I also kinda like to compare it to playing the drums in the sense that once you can separate the movement of your feet it gets a lot easier
Zonernovi@reddit
More important question is - will you be driving in bumper to bumper traffic on your commute?
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
Probably not, I’m mostly driving around in the suburbs
Ok_Application_2292@reddit
I will say you will need to use emergency brake at first on hills till you hang it
My 14 Mustang GT 5.0 is the most picky clutch I have ever driven (I drive semi’s and have a 75 F100 3 on the tree that switches better than the mustang. She is a princess
DaredevilBatman2@reddit
Its not hard! Everyone's grandma drives manual in Europe.
BFCE@reddit
It's easy, take it out every day for a week or two and you'll be good
breaststroker42@reddit
It took me like 20 minutes in a parking lot by myself. Its very easy to learn. Even easier if you have a teacher.
SZILI3000@reddit
Its not hard, especially if the car has a bigger, diesel engine that can start moving in first gear just by gently letting up the clutch pedal...my point being, once u understand how far up the clutch starts to catch and start to feel how much u should press the gas pedal u have an easy job...takes a few drives but its like bicycling, once u get a feel for it its easy
SecondVariety@reddit
That's one of the best cars to start with. Find an open parking lot and spare time. Practice getting going and stopping only touching the clutch and brake. This is crucial to learn the friction point situation your clutch pedal governs through your foot. Expect to stall at first, and then again later after you think you're done with stalling - it will happen a few more times. Find a hill and practice getting started and stopped both uphill and downhill.
It's not hard, just time consuming. What makes it hard is people getting freaked out and over compensating by hitting the pedals too hard. Slow leads to smooth, smooth leads to fast. Eventually you'll develop muscle memory. When I drive an AT my left foot randomly reaches for the clutch pedal while braking. That is one of the big advantages of driving a manual, you can use the engine for braking. Downshifting to scrub speed also improves fuel economy significantly.
Mammoth_Mixture4735@reddit
Go to a big empty parking lot. Put ebrake up and get to know the grab. Start with clutch in ebrake up 1st gear let off the clutch very slowly when you feel the car shaking and about to die push the clutch pedal back in. Get to know this area of the clutch. Then try it with the ebrake down. Put it in 1st with clutch pedal down,now very very very very slowly let the clutch up without giving it gas let the car start rolling and grab when you learn to do that without letting it die your on to the next step. 1st gear again clutch pedal down start to feel the grab dont let it die and give it some gas not to much you dont want it to rev up with the pedal down, you want the grab to engage and the gas pedal at the same time. Once you mastered that then you learn on a empty parking lot again with a hill this will be the hard part learning to make it not roll back and die or rev up to high and burn the clutch. Once you mastered the first gear the rest is pretty easy. Safety first and always check your surroundings
Dry_Working_9143@reddit
It's not. It's a matter of time for you to get good grip. Only advice I can give is to notice what rpms are good for your engine/gearbox to go up and down with gears also starting. Once you know them just reach them before releasing the clutch and your car will never die during start. In my old e46 is around 2k for example to start smooth
G-shrek@reddit
Plan on putting a clutch in it because it's probably already worn out and learning how to drive it will most likely take out the disc. Bonus is you replace the clutch yourself, you'll figure out how it works.
Unlucky-Hair-6165@reddit
Not hard, I had someone show me in a parking lot and drove it home right after. No experience, was never going to buy a manual car, loved it and will continue to drive manuals as long as I possibly can.
werdnax12@reddit
I recomend going for it! I miss driving a manual, I want to get one again eventually, too much fun, and nothing like being so much more in tune with you're vehicle, I think it makes you a better driver, and it would keep more kids off their phones too if it was more common still.
twick2010@reddit
Super frustrating for like a day or two.
Gian_Doe@reddit
Well normally my answer to this question would be it's more stressful than difficult, especially if you've been on a bicycle with gears. Taught a lot of people over a few decades and no problems...
Until I tried to teach my lovely wife, who has never driven and never been on a bike, no less one with gears. So in 25 years of teaching people I've had only one failure, and it's only because she ran out of fucks to give.
DrakeSavory@reddit
The clutch pedal only needs to be pressed to the pressure point, not all the way down. Key for driving on hills. Does the car have a tach because speed shifting is fun once you get proficient using the clutch.
tidyshark12@reddit
Its easy once you get the hang of it
Rough-Transition-954@reddit
About as difficult as learning to ride a bicycle. And the skill is equally permanent.
jwbourne@reddit
Not hard. Watch videos and practice in your mind before you go to sleep--no joke. I bought a manual car and drove it home.
Heavy_Importance2491@reddit
All Europeans, many Asians, and some Americans can work a manual. How hard can it be?
dildozer10@reddit
It’s not hard, just go to a big, empty parking lot and practice. You’ll get the hang of it in no time. No one is good at anything without practice.
sfo2@reddit
Every 17 year old girl in Europe learns it, and you can, too.
It’s not hard.
musicpeoplehate@reddit
It's not hard. Find an empty parking lot, start the car, push down the clutch, and shift to first. Without touching the gas use the clutch to get the car moving, then stop. Do this over and over till you have a feel for where it engages. Once you have that, work on a celebrating and shifting.
I taught my son to drive my Tacoma this way when he was 8 years old and he is NOT mechanically inclined.
Users5252@reddit
In some places, a majority of drivers only drive manual. If anyone else can learn it, then you can as well.
Apptubrutae@reddit
That’s how I think.
It isn’t brain surgery. Everyone who drove a car not that long ago HAD to drive stick. So any driver, absolutely any driver would be able to do it.
One_Barracuda5870@reddit
As long as you understand the concept, the execution is just a matter of muscle memory once you get it down. I learned out of necessity on my folks stick. I had to be somewhere and just jumped in, popes the clutch and went. Yeah I killed it a couple times, but your find the sweet spot quickly. Hill’s are the biggest challenge to start from. I had to use the emergency brake at first.
phdibart@reddit
It’s pretty easy. I learned in an afternoon. You’ll stall a few times and get some jerky starts, but you’ll get it. I always recommend a few starts on a flat surface with no throttle, just slipping the clutch. That allows you to learn the engagement point of your clutch and understand how to get the car moving. Then add throttle and work your way up to doing it at normal speed as if you were in traffic. Once the car is moving, changing gears is a no brainier. And then I say practice a few emergency stops without stalling.
Depress-Mode@reddit
I learnt in a 2 hour lesson. Then perfected it over a few months.
I had never driven a car before.
Impressive-Match-713@reddit
taught my wife how to drive a 5 speed in one day
pdxsilverguy@reddit
I was 21 before I learned how to drive manual. One day I got a manual and my little brother had to drive it home for me. I learned how to drive it in one day. Not so hard and you'll be highly motivated - thats more important than anything.
Emotional-Buddy-2219@reddit
It’s not hard at all. My biggest fear was if I stalled it while trying to merge onto a busy street from a side street and an accident ensued; this fear completely went away after my first month. If I wasn’t so sold on EVs I’d still have a manual car today.
Bdawgz3520@reddit
Youtube is your friend for any and everything you don't know... From car repairs to this.. Especially if you don't have someone to teach you.
Tolann@reddit
Exactly this. I "learned" to drive manual when I was a teen just getting my license. I very rarely drove manual in my 20s. I had to drive my dad's F-150 8 miles home alone and it was terrifying! Fast forward 20 some years and Top Gear let's me fall in love with the Ford Focus ST. Don't wait until you're in your 40s to get a fun car! I really couldn't give the car a test drive but I still bought it and the salesman dropped it off at my house when the sale was finalized. I spent the next month on YouTube and driving circles in empty parking lots. Totally worth it!
RedneckStew@reddit
Shhhhh! It's a secret.
Charming_Effort_3624@reddit
If pretty European can do it, then you can too.
RandomGen-Xer@reddit
It's not hard at all. I was able to learn it at age 9, along with others in my family who were ages 8-12 at the time. It's not rocket science. Basically it's just learning to feel the friction point, and a couple coordination points and finesse which seems a bit daunting at first, but will become entirely automatic with muscle memory over time.
The basics of getting going without stalling or burning the tires off, and shifting up/down through the gears without grinding... you could probably learn that in one or two sessions. Five or six sessions if you're really uncoordinated.
Adventurous-Depth984@reddit
Takes a couple hours. Tops.
Quirky-Airline7578@reddit
Go for it. It will be annoying at first, but when you figure it out.So much fun
CreatineComrade@reddit
Wasn’t too bad in my experience. I learned in about 30 minutes tooling around the parking lot then immediately drove across the country. Only stalled it once during that 2,850 mile trip
Impossible-Wonder675@reddit
I learned manual in an afternoon in an 88 Peugeot 505
ottrocity@reddit
I've taught people in 20 minutes, but it'll take a couple weeks of daily practice to get comfortable.
LordFluffyPotato@reddit
Everyone used to drive manual. So not that hard. Granted kids these days are the first in history to be dumber than previous generations, but I still think they could drive a manual if needed.
El_mochilero@reddit
After just a week it will feel natural and it will stay with you the rest of your life.
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
it is very much like riding a bike in that sense. once you Get It, you get it and it stays.
redditorrrrrrrrrrrr@reddit
Yep. I moved to automatics for convenience and didn't have a manual for close to 6 years. Got one again and didn't skip a beat. Zero stalling or issues at all becuase it's just so natural
EuroCanadian2@reddit
It takes anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks. I think the people who have trouble learning are often their own worse enemies - anxious, overthinking it, getting "lessons" from someone who is more worried about the car than actually teaching, that kind of thing.
If you have ridden a bicycle with gears that helps with understanding the general idea of when to use a low gear or a high gear.
Getting a lesson or 2 from a driving school in a stickshift should set you on the right track. After that, just drive your own car, practice, and keep it smooth. Reddit likes to obsess about heel and toe, how to balance gearing down vs using the brakes etc to the point of it being a fetish. All that can come later, or never.
xtracrispy26@reddit
It’s the same as sex. The first few times might be awful but then when you figure it out it’s the greatest thing in the world.
Significant-Way-7893@reddit
As you are stepping on the gas slowly let up on the clutch.
SweetSweetRegret@reddit
I learned on the way home from the dealership.
AwkwardEvanescence@reddit
Here in the Netherlands almost everyone learns how to drive a manual, because no one wants an automatic-only drivers license. So basically, anyone can do it and it's not all that hard. It just takes some practise
RealManHumanMan@reddit
It will take you like an hour to learn to move the car around, about a day to feel comfortable with it, maybe a week to really get it down where you don’t even think about it anymore, and then figure a month or so to where you can master downshifting and driving like an idiot race car driver.
Also, DEFINITELY buy that thing, a manual fit sport is a fantastic car. K swap it.
cowabungathunda@reddit
The easiest way to learn is to find an empty, flat parking lot. Push in the clutch and put the car in first gear. Slowly let the clutch out and get a feel for where it engages. You should be able to get the car to idle ahead without touching the accelerator. Once you get a feel for how the clutch engages you can start using the accelerator to get moving.
Longjumping-Buddy847@reddit
Its really hard if you have one arm or one leg.
Calendar-Careless@reddit
There are kids that can drive manual on the farm. It’s not that hard and just takes practice. Even with a lot of practice having to on a hill will give you anxiety for years to come.
Some-Cream@reddit
The hardest thing will be not giving a damn about stalling and getting out of your own head. 3-6 months I was completely comfortable
Humble_Key_4259@reddit
A lot of the difficulty depends on the car. A Fit Sport is going to be one of the easier cars to learn on.
PaleontologistNo7941@reddit
You can do it. Once you get it, you'll be off learning to rev match downshift in no time.
MostlyBrine@reddit
A 2007 year car is very forgiving for a new driver, especially one that already knows how to drive. Gear shifting can be learned in 15 minutes on an empty street, after that is a matter of practice. You will be fine in couple of days. The fun part is after you get used with ghe manual and try to press the clutch in an automatic. Always wear your seatbelt 🤪
Equivalent_Thievery@reddit
Imo, easy. I got it down at 13, first time being shown and allowed.
But, it's not for everyone. Some people legitimately cannot coordinate their hands and feet. Which...I don't think those people should be driving anything.
I tried teaching my brother a couple times, half hour sessions of him ruining an econo beater I had. He didn't get it until he moved to Europe and pretty much had to learn.
Infinite-Past7640@reddit
You should try driving a right side drive standard shit. After learning in NA, UK and some Caribbean countries, things get freaky really quick.
Takes a few minutes for your mind to switch up the commands while driving on the proper side of the road.
PrimoBachs@reddit
I had the fear when I went to the UK, and rented a car with the shifter on the left, but it really wasn't that bad. At least the pedals were in the correct position. The right side seat was a bigger adjustment for me.
NorthSpecialist6064@reddit
First bit of advice, you can skip gears. 1-3-5 is perfectly acceptable given the right driving conditions. Second, when you're in a real hilly area, stick with third or fourth depending on your speed to take advantage of engine braking.
You are going to screw it up a few times. Give it a little gas while setting off, moreso doing so up hill. You'll have to use all three pedals at once sometimes.
B-RapShoeStrap@reddit
I "learned" to drive a manual, by test driving a manual car that I eventually bought.
The hardest part is learning where the clutch engages. Say not pushing the clutch pedal is a 10, and flooring it is a 0. Some cars engage the clutch from 2-3, 3-4, 5-8, 2-5, ect. You just have to muscle memory where that is and you'll be good to go.
Suspicious-Tomato575@reddit
It's a pain in the butt, and then it's a ton of fun. Suddenly your subconscious will take over and you'll be zooming around with a grin. I'm gonna be 50 and I want to get back into one again someday.
Nemesis_Destiny@reddit
It's hard until it's not. You will be frustrated and eventually, if you don't give up, it will just "click" for you, and you'll get it.
Necessary-Carrot2839@reddit
Not too bad. My first car was a manual and I had to drive it home from the dealership. There were a LOT of embarrassing stalls. What I found helpful was to practice starting on a hill. It allows you the opportunity to get the feel for the clutch and when it engages and when you can shift. You get that then you’re golden and will be able to drive any manual. Put your foot on the brake, , push in the clutch all the way, s, shift into gear, let out the clutch and push in the gas until you start rolling forward. It’s h
finnbee2@reddit
I taught my wife and some of my children how to drive a stick. I took them on rural gravel roads to begin with. Some manual transmissions are difficult to master. The transmission on the Hondas are one of the easier ones.
Minimum_Researcher30@reddit
Really not that hard. At 2 a.m go find a spot preferably a parking lot with a hill. And learn to start on a hill from a stop. That skill alone will teach you 80percent of what to know. After learning to not stall from a standstill on a hill maybe learning when to shift fpr gppd acceleration is second. Learn the basics in a day. Probably become second nature by a month
ThatOneSnakeGuy@reddit
Not hard. Understand why you're doing what you're doing and it's just repetition after that. I learned on a Toyota tercel then a 5 speed civic, both were very easy transmissions. The car I have now has a Subaru gearbox which is a little weirder bc the gearing is different and so is the bite point (where the clutch engages with the engine). There are tons of YouTube videos but the best way is to get a beater and start throwing gears. You're going to grind them, and stall the car, but it's ok. Just don't money shift, there's a reason it's called that. Money shifting is when you're rowing through gears and you accidentally downshift instead of upshifting, this usually happens in 2nd->1st instead of 2nd->4th and grenades the transmission. You can stop it if you push the clutch in before you actually let it engage. That sounds scary typed out but just go slow and watch videos and you will be fine 😂
Guelphperson1@reddit
Drove one as a kid. Pretty easy but a P in the A if driving a lot in heavy stop and go traffic.
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
It will be relatively easy on the Fit.
Some cars are harder than others, primarily due to clutch engagement. And for that you develop muscle memory. It's like riding a bike or using roller skates for the first time. It takes a couple weeks for you to develop the muscle memory and get your calves into shape (your left leg will be sore the first two weeks, so avoid long commutes or plan to stop and rest a few minutes). Also, if you get leg cramps, tilt the bottom cushion of the seat downward (forward) to reduce blood flow constriction.
beholder95@reddit
Japanese cars are the easiest to learn on IMO, their clutches are typically pretty light and forgiving and the shifters are usually pretty smooth too.
VW on the other hand is the polar opposite…
swakid8@reddit
It can be easy or hard….
I had a sales man teach me in a parking lot for like 20 minutes after buying a new car that was manual back in 2008….
Infinite-Past7640@reddit
Before I got my license (14-15) my dad would bring us to country roads and have us shift without using the clutch. Just match the revs to the speed. Talk about getting in tune with your car.
Limp-Plantain3824@reddit
I remember asking my Dad how long it would take him to teach me to drive a stick.
“Two or three.”
“Hours or days?”
“Clutches!”
yodas_sidekick@reddit
It’s pretty easy imo, once you get yourself rolling that’s like 90% of it. Just don’t start on any uphills until you learn the clutch, you will roll backwards lol.
PolemicFox@reddit
Its not that hard. A couple of hours and then you're probably comfortable with the clutch.
Infinite-Past7640@reddit
Just bring it to an empty parking lot and practice.
As simple as it gets.
Due_Prior_7962@reddit
Dont get frustrated! You will stall, you will grind, you will eventually catch on. The hardest part, for me, was learning the grab zone. Once I got that down, easy.
First-Length6323@reddit
Easy. Its nothing cosmic. Everyone used to drive manual initially.
All you need to know
1-is the clutch pedal must be down/depressed when you turn the key to start the engine.
2-when you want the car to go raise the clutch pedal slowly and smoothly until the catch point where the clutch will accelerate the car. From there you start to apply gas smoothly.
3-Shift gears with clutch and no gas to not burn the clutch
daubs1974@reddit
I worked the service desk at car dealerships for nearly 30 years. The easiest way to learn how to drive a manual is to buy one. Good luck.
SigmaSeal66@reddit
There was a time 60 to 70 years ago, when there were millions of drivers in America, and every single one of them could drive a manual. There was the same range of people, coordinated to not, intelligent to not, more or less, that there is today. How hard could it be really?
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
I learned the basics of it while sitting in study hall one day two years before I ever drove a car. A friend explained and pantomimed and I practiced along until I could do it with him. When the time came to actually do it in a car, the only hard part was getting to know the clutch because I already knew the basics of how and when to change gears. Practice a lot in empty parking lots and Practice On Hills. My one and only scary situation with manual was during my first week. I hadn't practiced on hills and had to stop at a red light going up a slightly steep hill. When the light changed I came within inches of hitting the car behind me because I didn't know how to go up an incline from a stop. It's very different than starting flat. Be aware of that!
1cebola@reddit
I'm from a country where we mostly drive manual and learn manual at driving school.
Personally, I wouldn't get a manual car as my only car if I hadn't practiced it before. As a second car, I would definitely.
Driving manual is fun (for some people), but it also adds complexity and possibly stressful situations. Some people do really well, some don't.
superdak05@reddit
Here's my take on manuals, my first manual was a four-cylinder and it sucked at first, but what I did was one night when nobody was on the roads is when I learned how to drive I stalled it so many times I bucked it so many times, but there was no traffic and I didn't care and after burning through one clutch I finally learned the pedals and it was the best thing in the world, be patient and take your time
crypticcamelion@reddit
In Denmark and Europe we genrally drive manual. In Denmark the learning is typically around 3 hours doing start stop and parking and reverse on a closed parking lot followed by 10 actual driving lesons on public road. So no it is not that hard to learn. Anyone who is used to driving manual can teach you in an afternoon plus a couble of hours driving on general roads.
insomniaddict91@reddit
The hardest part is finding a friend with a manual who is willing to teach you. I taught a young coworker during a 15 minute lunch break and she only drives manual ever since.
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
My dad knows how to drive manual. I’m sure if I can convince him to let me get the car he’d be willing to teach me.
Jim_Belushis_brother@reddit
It sounds like a great deal on (potentially/hopefully) a reliable car that also will make it much more challenging for you to text and drive. And more fuel efficient (depending on how you drive)
Sounds to me like a win win for you both
Jim_Belushis_brother@reddit
How hard it is day to day is heavily dependent on where you live. The hardest part is taking off from a stop on a hill. You will encounter this scenario inevitably, but how frequently you encounter it is dependent on geography.
If you live in Kansas you might be able to drive it home without stalling once. If you live in West Virginia, uh, good luck!
drallafi@reddit
Ten mins to learn it. A few months to master it.
shreddnaught@reddit
My old coworker taught me in about 10 mins after work one day and I went and bought a manual civic the next day. It's really not that difficult to learn.
eldredo_M@reddit
Go to an empty parking lot. Learn to engage the clutch to get moving without touching the gas.
You’ll stall a lot at first, but eventually you’ll get the feel of the engagement point and it will become natural.
Changing gears while in motion will not be a problem once you get the feel of the clutch and gears.
Good luck and enjoy. ☺️
V2fo@reddit
I learned manual when i was 9. People overestimate how difficult it is, within a few practice sessions and stalling you're good to go!
Loveschocolate1978@reddit
It's fairly easy if you already have quite a bit of experience driving in an automatic, as it effectively only adds one more aspect. I think it would be difficult to learn if a person had never driven a car before, with evidence coming from stories of elderly people in my life that had access to nothing else. I might suggest spending some time becoming very comfortable driving a car with an automatic transmission, possibly belonging to your parent or guardians, and then trying to drive the same route after with a manual transmission, then slowly expanding to new roads as your confidence grows. It's definitely achievable, as evidenced by the millions of teenage men and women who do it daily abroad in places like Europe where manuals are the norm.
Nice-Zombie356@reddit
Watch a movie from the 1960s. Or video of traffic in any country outside the U.S.
Almost every person you see driving a car learned to drive a manual.
You can too. :-)
Honestly, It’s a little tricky. The first 20 minutes can be frustrating. The next few days you’re a little bit tough but get better quickly. Then taaa daaa, you know how and you can amaze your friends.
123revival@reddit
Easier than you think. Go for it!
BlaireInSpace@reddit
You should be able to move and change gears within an hour, drive decently with occasional grinds, jerky starts/shifts, and stalls within a week, then improve smoothness from there
No-Sherbert-9589@reddit
I have taught children in less than 10 minutes. I taught myself at 14 by watching others. No synchromesh either.
R_A_H@reddit
Clutch, put it in 1st and give a tiny tiny bit of gas or the car will stall when you set it down in 1st. My biggest "aha" moment was realizing that I was shifting to 2nd too early, so I recommend that you learn to "use up" 1st gear before you shift up. You'll get the feeling for that and then the rest basically comes with feeling.
Don't shift into lower gears when you're going fast.
Awkward_Doubt_4055@reddit
It's not hard at all, you just give it a stack of revs then dump the clutch.
haikusbot@reddit
It's not hard at all,
You just give it a stack of
Revs then dump the clutch.
- Awkward_Doubt_4055
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^Learn more about me.
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Warmonger362527339@reddit
Once you master the clutch pickup and get a routine in rev range experience it’s a matter of muscle memory and not actual brain memory
PckMan@reddit
Takes like a couple of weeks at most.
Independent_Good5423@reddit
Manual driving is about muscle memory, so yeah kinda hard at the start because information overload but very easy when get used to it
SimplyPars@reddit
Quite simple so long as you have a functioning brain
Previous-Mechanic914@reddit (OP)
Pretty I’ve got one of those
MrEZ3@reddit
1 hour in an empty field or parking lot. Now popping the e-brake on an incline, however...
Weak-Ad6984@reddit
Well, ask yourself this: do I have coordination with hands working with feet
Clutch/gas pedal, shifter, steering and brake.
_EnFlaMEd@reddit
Not hard at all if you can already drive otherwise. You could be good enough to hit the road after a day of practice. Being good at driving a manual takes longer but will come naturally with time.
TreemanTheGuy@reddit
The fun thing with tractors (2 wheel drive) is they like to wheelie
Rifter0876@reddit
Not hard just takes time and practice.
TealSapphire@reddit
It’s easy!
UrineTrouble05@reddit
My one tip is to not be afraid to let the car speed up a little bit before letting off the clutch when starting. Once you notice your car is moving, hold it there until 3-5mph and let it all the way out.
Don’t worry, it won’t burn the clutch at such low engine rpm.
ProfessionalBee4228@reddit
Dude, you have to do it. It’ll take you maybe a day or two to learn and it is a skill that gives you such an appreciation for all cars. Also as a 17 year old… clout game ridiculous.
My first car was a 2wd 2004 Saturn Vue in a 5 speed manual in 2012. I had no idea how to drive manual when I got my license and stalled out in my neighborhood about 20 times before nailing it down. When your motivation is you have to learn or you can’t hang out with your friends, you’ll figure it out pretty quick.
I’ve had maybe 7 cars since then, all automatic, but my most recent is a jeep truck that’s a 6 speed and it’s so dope to be back in a stick shift.
Do it!
addictionvshobby@reddit
Its easy on a flat ground. Hard on a backwards incline.
Switch to neutral, Depress the clutch, depress the brake and start the car. Shift to 1st gear, very slowly lift the clutch. As soon as the car starts struggling depress again. Thats the point at which your clutch bites. From that point, it's a matter of clutch and gas ratio.
Good luck.
Candid_Dream4110@reddit
It's not too hard. Just make sure you have an understanding of how it works, and then practice, practice, practice. It'll be second nature before long.
TuzzNation@reddit
Take me like an afternoon.
Had a couple stall in front of the red light and thats it.
RadRimmer9000@reddit
Not too hard. Have someone that can drive manual go with you to drive the car back and then find an empty parking lot and have fun.
HillarysFloppyChode@reddit
Easy. You can get it down in 10 minutes, hardest part is starting.
SpeedyHAM79@reddit
It's not hard. Practice in a parking lot getting going a few times and you will get it. From a stop apply the throttle enough to get rpm's up a bit and release the clutch while applying more throttle. You will stall the engine a few times, don't worry about it. Enjoy driving a manual. :)
ej_civic@reddit
in short: it’s easy. however, if you’re not an enthusiast, and i use that term to describe people who can work on cars, enjoy driving cars, love to learn about engines, modifications, etc; i don’t think it’s for you. if you see driving as something of a necessity to get where you need to go, instead of a pastime/hobby to improve on, i don’t think a manual is for you, in the long run
HillarysFloppyChode@reddit
The fuck? You don’t have to be an enthusiast to drive a stick, sincerely all of Europe.
Bdawgz3520@reddit
Anyone can learn how to drive a stick... Doesn't take someone obsessed with the whole car to drive stick. Who knows... Op will probably turn that way after driving stick... I feel like that's how it gets most people lol
throwaway47831474@reddit
Are you serious? Millions of Europeans don’t care about automotive technology at all and drive manual every day.
4runningwild@reddit
Hondas are great to learn on, I learned on a civic. It helps to find a good youtube video from my experience. I self taught myself using a pretty good youtube tutorial which I don’t remember the name of since it was a few years ago, just be patient and willing to practice and learn
npiet1@reddit
Generally not very hard as most have said but every car is different. Some cars as you release the clutch the car will go and its hard to stall. Some cars you'll have to push the accelerator a little.
The hardest thing imo is learning in one car then going to another car and feel like you have to learn to take off all over agian.
pessimistoptimist@reddit
its not hard to learn. it takes practise to be good at it.
penguinpop987@reddit
I'll put it this way my young friend. I might pay to learn manual. It's a hobby not a necessity in the USA. That said. Vroom vroom goodbye is fun. You are young, I'd advise following what is practical first and what you want second. Just don't forgot YOLO. It's a real thing.
throwaway47831474@reddit
Do not be discouraged. If you buy that car you can and Will learn
ryphi97@reddit
The only issue is stalling it at lights when you get started
AdventureGirlRosie@reddit
Hardest part is starting. Keep practicing on a flat and on a hill, and it will become second nature before you know it.
pflau@reddit
Keep in mind that before automatic and in most European countries old ladies drive manual all the time.
Surely you can drive as well as old ladies. The question is do you really want to drive a manual.
zanythenanny@reddit
Had a manual FIT. it should take a week or two to dial in the shifts but you won’t regret getting it! Great cornering, great on gas, surprisingly big interior with the seats folded down, easier to find city parking since this thing fits everywhere, and reliable.
Bagomostlywater@reddit
Few thieves know how to drive a manual so it’s also a safety feature. Way less likely to be stolen. Once you learn you can switch gears without even thinking. You will be one with the car, able to anticipate its needs and move together unrelentingly towards your destination.
jestem-lama@reddit
You will struggle for a week or so, then it's all muscle memory.
You will need to learn:
-shift pattern
-starting with gas
-starting uphill first with handbrake, then without
It's mostly just timing and getting feel of the clutch and throttle.
PowerSpool@reddit
My dad taught me my only problem was the clutch because I can be heavy footed at times lol. Getting to the right gear was super easy.
Wrozbitamaciej@reddit
Here in europe it is somewhat a standard that people drive manual so it's not that hard it just takes practice and some time getting used to it.