Is it normal to be anxious about driving a manual for the first time?

[Anonymous]

I will be driving a manual for the first time next week with a driving instructor. I have watched YouTube videos on how to drive a manual but I am scared of messing everything up and stalling and just not knowing what to do. Any tips? I live in Australia by the way where it is more common to drive automatics.

[Goforit1010]

There are mostly automatic transmission cars in the US too. And yes, it's totally normal to be anxious. Just focus on what to do.

You WILL stall it out, probably several times. Thats also VERY common, and EVERYONE does that at first. You have to coordinate both feet at the same time and get the hang where the clutch starts to grab the flywheel. Once you train your leg muscles where that point is, you'll get the hang of shifting while driving. It's also a lot more fun driving a stick vs. an automatic.

Don't worry and just focus on learning. You'll get it pretty quickly.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot! I have anxiety and I won't let it get in my way of wanting to drive a manual! :D

[God_of_Thunder]

Honestly, you probably will stall the car, at least a few times. The thing is, that's perfectly normal.

It's just like anything else, really. Nobody is great at something the very first time they do it. If you just accept the fact that you will most likely stall the car, then it may actually help your anxiety. You will learn, though, and you'll get better.

It's not that big of a deal to stall the first few times. Everyone that drives, or has driven, a manual transmission has done it at least once, but it gets much easier with practice.

[Asker]

My dad was like "I'm just letting you know that you're going to drive really badly on your first go. You will stall a lot. I did." I told him that I am nervous as I'm waiting for my first lesson and then he said "You're going to be more than nervous, I'm just letting you know." I don't see why he wasn't being encouraging.

[God_of_Thunder]

I think, in his own way, he is trying to be. He wants to prepare you for what's going to happen, so it doesn't come as a surprise.

He doesn't want to give you false hope, which will just devestate you when in inevitably do stall it. Dads are like that. We want you to be prepared for something that's going to happen.

I stalled my first few times, too. It's practically guaranteed, and it's better that you're ready for it before it happens.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot for the tip. What causes the car to stall and how could I prevent this from happening when it does happen? :)

[God_of_Thunder]

There are a lot of things that can cause a stallz but for someone who's new to manual transmissions, the most likely will be releasing the clutch, without giving the car enough gas.

You have to do both at the same time, gently at first, but until you get the hang of it, it can be tricky. Missing the gear when you try to shift is another thing, but again, that gets easier with practice.

[God_of_Thunder]

*stalls

[Asker]

Thanks a lot for the tip! :)

[God_of_Thunder]

You're welcome. 😊

[Asker]

:D <3

[Sour-rose]

If a manual is what I think it is... yes. I don't-

*googles it*

OHHHH GOD YES, BE ANXIOUS AF. My first ride was one of those son of a bitches, and it wasn't great at all. Just going 20 minutes out of town was a rollercoaster. And my gas needle didn't work... fuk. So yeah, but you just gotta know which side goes to which. And you'll... live. But mine was really old, you might be better off than me

[Asker]

How do you drive one now?

[Sour-rose]

Heh, that was like...8 years ago? I no longer drive one due to some mexicans took it. (paid for it) But if I was asked to drive one right now, I'm sure I'd manage. First shift- move it up, second shift-to the left and so on.

[Asker]

Damn 😱😱😱

[dustybiker]

It’s far more fun driving manual, be excited. Just remember where the clutch is and the break so you don’t mix them up. The clutch will remove most mistakes. There is a learning curve to everything. Good on you wanting to try it.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot for your encouragement! My anxiety has been letting me down. <3

[NamerOfStars]

It is. A car is a serious machine, and people can die if things go seriously wrong; being nervous just shows you take it seriously. Don't worry, though; the only really tricky part is starting from a stop when you're on an incline. It'll come with practice.

[Asker]

I have generalized anxiety disorder and I'm so worried about messing up somehow and I don't even know why.

[NamerOfStars]

Well, you'll be taught the theory bufoce you're put behind the wheel, and given lots of opportunity to practice.

[Asker]

What kind of theory will I be taught before being put on the wheel? Gear shift and clutch? :)

[NamerOfStars]

Basically. And how and when to use them. It's basically the same idea as that behind a ten-speed bike.

[Asker]

Yikes! I don't know what a ten-speed bike is like hahaha.

[exitseven]

It takes a little practice and everyone stalls out the first time. Maybe go to an empty parking lot first and try it out. There is a vacant lot next to the house I grew up in. A friend of my father was at our house one day and he drove a standard. He let me take it into the vacant lot and try it out. I stalled out a couple of times but after a few minutes I was dloing it.

[Asker]

Overall, how do you think you went on your first time driving a manual?

[exitseven]

I think I did okay. i took my son out to look at a car. He never drove standard before we went to a side street and I showed him how to do it. I ground the gears a few times but soon figured it out. Just relax with this, feel the clutch and practice the shifting.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot for the tip! :)

[exitseven]

good luck.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot! :D

[Straight2thepoint]

What u need to understand is, the engine and u become one. Yeah yeah I know it sounds stupid. But hear me out. When u hear the engine ramp up the pitch goes from low to hightgats the called (rpm). The second u hear the pitch (rpm) become just a high pitch) step on the clutch and hold it. Then press slightly on the gas and at the same time slowly let go of the clutch. (Reapeat this step throughout gears) Congrats u just learn shifting. (

[Asker]

Thanks a lot! :D

[SamIam96]

Everyone stalls when they're first learning. Very quickly, though your muscles will do the right thing without thinking about it. Similar to when you learned to ride a bike.

[Asker]

Have you driven a manual before?

[SamIam96]

Yes. I've owned a couple of cars that were manuals.

[SamIam96]

It's a good skill to have and they're a lot more fun to drive than automatics.

[Asker]

That's how I see it. I feel as though they would be more fun to drive once you get the hang of it. :)

[Espresso-Grande]

Very normal. I've only drove a manual car. The first time I drove it, there must have been kangaroo gas in the tank 😂

[Asker]

Were you anxious at the beginning thinking that things could go wrong?

[Espresso-Grande]

Yeah. Once you've drove it a couple of times though , you'll feel like you've been driving a manual for years.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot! Now I have hope! :D

[Espresso-Grande]

Good luck. You'll be fine after a little experience driving it. I guarantee ❤

[Asker]

Thank you so much! <3

[Espresso-Grande]

Welcome ❤

[Asker]

:D <3

[purplepoppy]

Even experienced drivers stall sometimes, it's no big deal. The hard part is remembering what gear your in when driving

[Asker]

Do you drive a manual? If so, how did you go on your first time driving one?

[purplepoppy]

Yes, most drivers here prefer manual. I stalled a few times but it soon becomes instinctive and you change gears without thinking.

[Asker]

I get you! It's more of a feeling of the car and its engine and when to press on the clutch and change gears.

[purplepoppy]

If cars not going fast enough drop down otherwise get up as quick as possible. Low power cars need more gear charges to cope with things like hills. Trust me it's easy

[Asker]

As in you think the manual is easy, you mean aha?

[purplepoppy]

Very easy. Your instructor will show you how but if you can count to 6 your halfway there already

[Asker]

Hahahaha the only thing that I will count will be my lucky stars.

[one1wild00]

learning to drive a manual is fun but yes you will probably stall it a few times to, and Jackrabbit it as well. it's part of the learning phase. get your timing down on shifting and pedals takes some time but you will do fine.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot for the encouragement! Do you drive a manual? If so, how did you go on your first time driving one?

[one1wild00]

I no longer drive a manuel, but I first learned on one, stalled it 23 times in 11 miles, eventually got the hang of it.

[Asker]

What did you do in order to get the hang of it?

[one1wild00]

Just had to work on the timing. Clutch and shifter and quick response with left foot accelerator/brake

[Asker]

Do you press the clutch before stopping and then the brake?

[one1wild00]

even if you just want to slow down you can press the clutch and release the engine from the trans and the car wlll start to slow, not for fast slowing but a gradual

[one1wild00]

its all practicing it.

[Asker]

What exactly do you mean by "release the engine from the trans" sorry? :)

[one1wild00]

When you push in the clutch that releases the engine from the transmission to change gears

[Asker]

Ahh okay. I see!

[one1wild00]

It's all practicing. Do you have a parent that can work with you who has or can barrow a manual trans for you top practice on? that's what needs to happen. is practice. I could get in a Manuel today and I still might stall as I would be rusty with the timing but it would come back quick with a few stall outs.

[Asker]

My dad can drive a manual but he drives an automatic at the moment and told me to have 2-3 driving lessons before buying a manual car to see if I will like driving a manual.

[Asker]

I will have to pay for my own lessons as well as my own car.

[one1wild00]

I'd get a loaner car or borrow one to practice in between lessons.

[Asker]

I wish. :/

[one1wild00]

I'm sure there are places that you can rent a loaner car or a friend that has one you can use in your area?

[Asker]

Not sure. :/

[TheLoneTerran]

Yes. People usually get anxious before they try something they've not attempted before.

[Asker]

True but I also have generalized anxiety disorder, which does not help my case. :/

[TheLoneTerran]

Me too. It can really suck, I eventually turned to psychiatry so I could get some meds which have helped immensely. Also helps to be mindful of the fact that there are things in life out of your control, so worrying about them makes your life harder with no benefit. So keep in mind that everyone has to practice at stick shift, very few people in the world are born naturals, so unless you're a born natural, you'll have to practice, make some mistakes, and be a bit embarrassed. That's fine. Nothing to be done about it and worrying too much won't help.

Good luck tho!

[Asker]

Thanks a lot! I am currently on medication too! It's really not helping when my father is constantly telling me that driving a manual is hard. :/

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Yep, I was 18 and quite nervous as well. No worries. Be safe.

[Asker]

Do you drive a manual? If so, how did you go on your first time driving one?

[Jamie05rhs]

Of course it's normal!

My advice to you is FOCUS. Focus, focus, focus. Be 100% in the moment mentally.

[Asker]

Thanks a lot! My anxiety doesn't help, but I'll try my best! :D

[Jamie05rhs]

You're welcome! :)

[Asker]

Do you own a manual by the way? :)

[Jamie05rhs]

A motorcycle. But my car is an automatic.

Though I used to drive a manual car. So I know how to.

[Asker]

Very nice! How did you go on your first time driving one?

[Jamie05rhs]

I sucked. Lol

[Asker]

Hahaha and what about your second time, third time, etc? :D

[Jamie05rhs]

I got good around the 5th time. Lol

[Asker]

Practice makes perfect as they say. :)

[Jamie05rhs]

Indeed!

[Asker]

😁👍🏽

[boggboss]

Pretty normal its somthing you are worried about aslong as u understand for the most part u worrying about it will tend to be worst then the actually doing of it

[Asker]

Do you drive a manual or an automatic?

[boggboss]

I dont drive lol where I life there is no real point

[Asker]

Fair enough. I have generalized anxiety disorder and I'm so worried about messing up somehow.

[boggboss]

No thats why I answered more broadly then specifically to driving as I understand u can't just turn anxiety off but if u have that understanding that the worry u are feeling is going to be worst the the actual driving

[Asker]

I know. I can't switch it off like you said though.

[In_Trance]

Most people drive a car... but if you wanna drive a manual, i guess that's cool

[Asker]

Yeah I want to drive a manual, but I'm a bit nervous because I have never driven one before. :)

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course.

[Asker]

I have generalized anxiety disorder and I'm so worried about messing up somehow and I don't even know why.

[Opinion Owner]

It might help to learn on an automatic first, if you haven't already.

[Asker]

I have driven an automatic, but not that much.