Wow! That’s a great gift from your father! And he’s right: manuals are far less likely to be stolen than automatic cars. While the length of time it takes to learn to drive a manual varies from person to person, you can reasonably expect about 20 to 30 hours behind the wheel.
For some, a manual shift comes more naturally. Chalk it up to getting a feel for it or instinct, but these people may only need 10 to 15 hours to learn. But if you’re struggling, don’t worry too much. Practice makes perfect. You can also follow these steps to help you:
Always keep the clutch depressed when you start the car.
Once you start the car, move the stick to first gear and slowly release the clutch.
Give the car a bit of gas.
When the gear engages, you can gradually take your foot off the clutch.
Continue to give the car gas as necessary until you rev up to about 3,000 RPM. You can also trust your ear, as the high revving is a signal you need to shift up.
To shift gears, push the clutch in, put the stick in second gear, and continue to give the car some gas.
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