Manual transmission harmful driving habits to avoid
Even though the manual transmission (shift, standard or simply stuck) is about to become a piece of automotive history, new vehicles are still being produced, not to mention countless more cars old ones still on the road, used by old people. -moderate transmission of three pedals. At one point, manual gearboxes offered better fuel economy and performance than automatics, but in 2024 that’s no longer the case. Today, new cars with standard transmissions are limited to sports and performance vehicles (offering a more “raw” and engaging driving experience) and a small number of economy cars.
For some, the driving stick makes daily commutes and weekend canyoning more fun. Whether you’re new to driving a manual or have learned in one, we’ll go over some bad habits to avoid if you want to preserve your gearbox and extend the life of your clutch.
How does a manual transmission work?
Standard transmissions rely on driver input to shift between different gear ratios. The faster the car is moving, the faster you want to go. Depressing the clutch with your left foot disengages the input shaft from the transmission, allowing you to select a gear with the lever. Releasing the clutch engages the engine with the transmission in the newly selected gear. For more information on how manual transmissions work, check out this article.
Maintain the habits of change that must be avoided
Here are some bad habits to avoid when driving manually. Avoiding them can help preserve the life of your clutch and transmission.
Do not rest your left foot on the clutch
While it may seem natural to leave your left foot resting lightly on the clutch pedal after shifting, doing so can cause premature clutch wear. Even a small amount of pressure on the pedal can cause the clutch to be partially engaged, causing it to slip and potentially be damaged due to excess friction. After shifting, place your foot on the dead pedal to the left of the clutch pedal. This will prevent you from accidentally using the clutch. This is not as severe as riding with the clutch (discussed below), but to get the most out of the clutch, avoid resting your foot on the pedal.
Do not shift without depressing the clutch
This one is pretty obvious. To shift gears successfully, the clutch must be depressed. If you try to shift without depressing the clutch pedal, a loud noise will occur. Doing this repeatedly can cause serious damage to the transmission.
Do not leave your hand on the lever
Just like resting your foot on the clutch pedal, driving with your hand on the gear selector can feel natural. However, since the stick is connected directly to the transmission, putting pressure on it can cause wear. After changing gear, it’s best to put your hand back on the wheel.
Do not take the engine
Cranking the engine refers to trying to accelerate when you are in too high a gear. Doing this puts a lot of stress on the engine as it has to work very hard to overcome the high gear ratio. Think of it this way; Have you ever tried riding a bike but started in 10th gear instead of 1st gear? The amount of effort required to shift into 10th gear from a standstill is significantly greater than 1st since you are at a mechanical disadvantage. It’s the same with your car. If you need to accelerate, shift into the appropriate gear.
Don’t drive the clutch
Driving the clutch happens when you only partially depress the pedal. The result of doing this is the same as resting your foot on the pedal, except that in this case it is done due to poor technique. When the car is in motion, changing gears should involve pressing the clutch pedal to the floor, selecting a gear, and releasing the pedal even. Keeping the pedal partially engaged will cause rapid wear and in some cases emit a burning smell.
Don’t rely on the clutch to hold the car on a hill
Hill starts are one of the most difficult parts of driving a manual transmission. Not only do you have to move the car, but you are also fighting against the force of gravity pulling the vehicle backwards. Starting on a hill usually requires more gas input than starting on a flat road. Coming to a complete stop on a hill means you have to hold the car in place until it’s time to move. Some novice drivers will use the gas and clutch to stay in place, essentially riding the clutch the entire time they are stopped. Instead, use the brakes to hold the car in place until it’s time to move.
In conclusion
Driving a manual transmission vehicle can be fun and exciting, but knowing how to do it right is essential to the longevity of your car and, more importantly, your safety and the safety of others on the road. You can prevent premature wear on your transmission by following the tips we’ve discussed in this article.
Do you need streaming service? Even when you drive properly, clutches wear out and the fluid needs to be changed. If you drive a European car with a manual transmission, whether it’s a Volkswagen Jetta or a BMW M5, the expert technicians at Alex’s Autohaus will have your car running and driving as it should. Call us or schedule an appointment at our Midvale repair shop today!
