A Quick Guide on How To Drive a Stick Shift in Heavy Traffic

There are many reasons for picking a car or truck with a manual transmission over an automatic vehicle. A stick shift car comes with more affordable price tags and generally costs less to maintain than its more complex automatic counterpart. Aficionados also swear that driving stick shift enables them to drive in tune with their vehicle.

However, driving a stick shift car has drawbacks as well as benefits. You have to operate three pedals and the gear shift stick almost constantly. If you drive on roads with heavy traffic, your left knee and foot will quickly grow tired from moving between pedals. Fortunately, you can make stick shift driving easier by taking advantage of the manual transmission’s characteristics.

Tips and Tricks on How To Drive a Stick Shift in Heavy Traffic

Here are some helpful tips and tricks on how to drive a stick shift car, especially when traffic gets heavy:

Keep Your Car in First Gear As Long as Possible

The first step is the hardest in any journey. Similarly, the first gear (a.k.a. low gear) poses the most difficulty when learning how to drive a stick shift car or truck. However, mastering this mode will ease the chore of driving your manual car at low speeds.

You must release the clutch when you drive in first gear. Otherwise, you might damage the part. So, you don’t have to keep the clutch engaged if your car keeps moving while in first gear.

While the maximum speed in first gear varies between vehicles, it’s possible to go as fast as 10 miles per hour (mph) in low gear. This will suffice in slow-moving traffic conditions.

If you drive your manual car in first gear, maintain enough room between your vehicle and the one in front of yours. Keep an open space in front of your vehicle that measures one car length.

Take your time to accelerate or brake while stick-shift driving in first gear in heavy traffic. Stick to a moderate speed to save gas and stay safe on the road.

Always ensure the rear tires of the car in front of yours remain in view. If you lose sight of the tires, you’re too close to the other vehicle.

Refrain from riding the clutch while driving in first gear in slow-moving traffic. Keep your foot away from the clutch pedal. If you accidentally ride the clutch, you might damage the transmission and the rest of your car.

Coast on Neutral Gear at Low Speeds

Driving a stick shift car at a snail’s pace or leaving the engine running while the vehicle doesn’t move might lead to stalling. When you sense an impending stall, engage the clutch and shift into neutral gear.

You can let your car coast while it’s in neutral mode. Instead of using the gas pedal to change the speed, use the brake pedal to regulate how fast you’re going. You can also stop the vehicle when necessary.

Stay alert when your car is in neutral gear. If a vehicle rear-ends yours, the impact might send your car careening into an obstacle or another machine. Therefore, keep your foot on the brake pedal and apply the brakes in case of a collision.

While driving at slow speeds or idling, look out for the warning signs of an engine stall. If your manual car starts shuttering or begins making strange sounds while vibrating, it might be on the verge of stalling.

Shift Into Second Gear When Traffic Speeds Up

Sooner or later, traffic will speed up. When that happens, you must shift from first gear into the next gear.

There are several ways to determine if you must shift into second gear. You can glance at the tachometer to see if the RPM reading has exceeded the range for the current gear. Some vehicles activate a warning light on the instrument panel. And if you have enough experience, you can sense the engine revving.

Usually, you must shift up when your vehicle reaches 10 to 15 mph. If you drive a high-performance car or truck with a shorter first gear, you might have to shift earlier.

You’ll want to keep your vehicle in second gear for the longest time possible. Driving in second gear takes less effort, so your left leg will appreciate the reduced work.

Furthermore, some older models and high-performance vehicles use an unsynchronized first gear that’s only accessible when it isn’t moving. These vehicles prevent you from shifting down to first gear.

In most vehicles, second gear can handle between 10 and 30 mph. When driving at these speeds, keep two or three car lengths between your car and the one in front of you.

If changing traffic conditions force you to reduce your speed to less than 10 mph, you must either shift into first gear or stop your car. Otherwise, your vehicle might shutter and vibrate.

In vehicles with unsynchronized first gears that prevent you from shifting to first gear, shift down to neutral. Let your car or truck coast and use the brakes to control the speed.

Skip Gears When Necessary

A manual transmission offers precise control of your car. Once you’ve grown familiar with driving a stick shift car, you can take advantage of this capability by skipping gears.

As its name implies, skipping gears is the practice of bypassing a gear when you shift up or down. If done correctly, it doesn’t damage your car. Indeed, skipping gears lets you get the most out of your manual car, especially during heavy traffic.

Again, only skip gears when you know your stick shift car like the back of your hand. Otherwise, you might end up stalling the vehicle.

Shift Into Higher Gears When Traffic Moves Faster

If traffic picks up speed, you can shift into third gear and other, higher gears. But if traffic slows down, you must shift into second gear or even (if your car or truck lets you do so) first gear.

Avoid Shifting Into Neutral Gear if You’re Still Going Fast

Is your car still moving swiftly when you intend to shift down? Refrain from shifting into neutral gear. Coasting at high speeds exceeds the ability of the brakes to safely and effectively regulate speed in neutral mode. You might also struggle to build up speed again while driving in neutral.

Are you now interested in learning how to drive a stick shift car? Hopefully, these tips and tricks can help make driving a manual vehicle rewarding for you.