Have you ever experienced this as a new driver?

Question

I just got my driver's license two days ago. I have in the last two days driven around in my Fiat Panda. It's sometimes difficult for me to start the car when I stop at a roundabout and etc. because the clutch has to be lifted incredibly slowly and then I also have to step on the accelerator to help the car start.
And today I got stuck in the middle of the road. It was so embarrassing!!! I blocked the whole road so the other cars couldn't drive past me.
And every, single time I tried to start the car, it kept turning off, so I eventually had to drive backwards away from the road.

Tell me if you have experienced the same thing as a new driver. I feel so embarrassed!!

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

That's a common prpblem for someone who's just learning to drive a manual transmission. Suggest you find a nice open arrea (shopping plaza parking lots or office partking lots on teh weekend, and practice stopping and starting. Follow this sequence to stop and get going.

1. Slow down
2. Depress the clutch and shift to neutral
3. Stop by depressing the brake
4. Let off the brake and the car will not move on level ground
5. When it's time to get going again...
6. Depress the clutch all the way and shift into first gear
7. Slowly depress the accelerator while slowly lifting up on the clutch, in an identical choreographed move... same pressure going down on the accelerator as coming up on the clutch, the clutch will disengage completely when the accelerator is about half way down
8. The car will start moving
9. Totally release the clutch and slowly press the accelerator down farther to accelerate the car
10. When the car's engine starts to whine, it's time to shift into 2nd gear...
11. Quickly depress the clutch all the way down while removing your foot from the accelerator, and shift into 2nd gear
12. Simultaneously release the clutch and depress the accelerator

Practice this over and over until you can comfortably stop and start smoothly and without stalling the car.

Note: If you're on a hill, use the handbrake to hold the car stopped in step 4, and release the handbrake just before step 7.

Best of luck practicing the manual transmission. You'll get it, and when you do, it will seem so easy.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Ok so first of all, you are using the wrong nomenclature and its difficult to hear.

'Starting' the car refers to starting the engine.

When you are saying start what you actually mean is 'pull away'

The reason the engine is stalling when you try to pull away is because you do not have sufficient torque / engine power available, to correct this you must increase the revs of the engine with the throttle BEFORE you lift the clutch.

You should also make sure that you have the correct gear selected, if you are trying to pull away in third it will be much more difficult to avoid stalling the engine.

You will have a similar problem if you leave your handbrake on.

But most importantly of all, you must remain calm and focused on what you are doing rather than worrying about any delay you might be causing other people, no good can come from this worry but it increases the chances of you making additional mistakes considerably.

DO NOT rush to get going and then drive into someone you didn't see because you cared more about running away from embarassment than you did about doing your job properly.

Just because you just made a mistake does not mean you aren't going to immediately make another mistake.

You must manage your emotional state and be present in the moment when driving.

This is how a clutch works:

OldSchool_Metalhead · Accepted Answer

@guffrus has a great answer to this. I too learned by stick shift (mine's an older Volkswagen). I figured out the hard way is it's best to NOT try to rush the clutch-to-gas pedal movement. It is pretty much a reflex for new drivers to wanna rush in fear of stalling the car in the middle of traffic.

NamerOfStars · Answer

Working with stick shifts can be tricky. When I was learning to drive a truck, I actually failed the test the first time because I killed the engine by popping the clutch. They had us test in a truck that (supposedly, anyway) NOBODY could kill; then I came along. They teased me about it afterwards, calling me "dragonslayer" for killing the unkillable; at least my embarrassing nickname was a cool one. You'll get better time and practitge; I certainly did.

I have to ask, though: Panda? I was under the impression that Fiat cars had tumbers, not names. Is that just in the US? If they actually name them in other places, then I may be able pursue my goal of having them release the "Lux"...

caring__1 · Answer

When I bought my first stick shift car, I drove it from the dealer and had to stop at a railroad crossing, waiting for the train to pass. Another car came up and stopped right on my bumper. I was afraid I'd roll back into him if I took my foot off the brake. I eventually discovered that by pulling out the handbrake, I could release it slowly as I maneuvered the clutch and accelerator. With practice, you'll improve, but use the parking brake when in a pinch.

trumpets310 · Answer

We've all been there lmao. Practice the clutch - find a safe uphill street in a neighborhood with no traffic. Slowly let out the clutch until you feel it start to change and the revs should drop a little. Then you should be able to take your foot off the brake without rolling back, so you can give it a bit of gas. You'll be able to do it quickly in no time!

Wsx2wsx2ws · Answer

Yes. A manual transmission is fantastic. You are so in tune with the car. It just takes listening and feeling the car. It will help you so much in life. here is why,

I have trained in just a few heart beats people how to drive a manual/stick shift car. You only need to shut out the world and listen to and feel the car. In no time it will be come second nature.
I helped a young lady who stalled in the middle of a 20 lane intersection. She panicked. Breath and forget everyone. Listen and feel only the car. boom we where moving in seconds.

But wait! Then you will start to apply this to girls/boys. You will start shutting out the world and listen to them and feel them. You will motivate them to stop or go. Its incredible.

humanearth · Answer

Yes, it happens to every new driver that is learning stick shift By the way My first car was a Fiat to. A 1972 Fiat Spider Not my car, it just looks like my 1st one

jahaims · Answer

Practice that scenario elsewhere so you can get used to it.

Stevefiveo · Answer

You just need more practice with working the clutch. You will get better with practice.

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

Yea, I hated driving with clutch. Have an automatic now

driven159 · Answer

you need more practice do it on side roads that you can pull over or in empty parking lots

Iron_Man · Answer

How old is your car

Anonymous · Answer

Nope, thank goodness

Guy13 · Answer

No. Have not

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