Anyone who is good at driving a manual car can certainly drive an automatic car, but anyone who is good at driving an automatic car can't necessarily drive a manual car!

Driving a manual car is not an easy task, especially for women who don't know how to move the gears, pedals, and other functions.

Today, there are more automatic cars hitting the streets because they are easier to drive, even for women. But what about manual cars? Are there any tips on how to drive a manual car for women?

Understand the Functions and Components

Driving a manual car is challenging compared to an automatic car, but don't give up. It could be that you forget to understand the function of some important components for driving.

1. Adjust the Mirror

Unlike motorcycles, the movement of the car will depend entirely on the mirrors. As much as possible, adjust the rearview mirror to see around the car. Not only the rearview mirrors, the center mirror inside the cabin must be adjusted so you don’t have to look back.

2. Understand Each Pedal

Before starting to learn to drive a manual car, understand that this type of car is different from an automatic car. When sitting in the driver's seat, look and observe for the three pedals.

The leftmost pedal is a clutch which is only found on cars with manual transmissions. The middle pedal is the brake, while the rightmost pedal is the accelerator. The clutch is dedicated only for the left foot while the right foot for the brake and gas.

3. Understand the Gears

Depending on the car, the gear shaft is placed next to the driver's seat or under the wheel. Regardless of the position, understand the direction of movement of the gears.

The first gear points to the upper left, the second gear points to the lower left, and so on. The direction of gear movement is written on the gear shaft, complete with numbers. Besides numbers, there is a letter R which means reverse.

4. Handbrake

Every car must be equipped with a hand brake, or emergency break, so it does not move or slide when parked. It's just that the position of the handbrake of each car is different. Some types of cars place the handbrake in front or behind the gear shaft, while other types of cars place it under the wheel.

Tips on How to Drive a Manual Car for Women

By understanding the function of the pedals, gears, and having adjusted the mirrors, the next step is to start driving. Beginners may find it difficult, but the following points can give you a brief overview of how to drive a manual car for women.

1. Start the Car

To start the car, press the clutch and make sure the gear is in neutral. Neutral position can be seen if the gear is placed between two positions. To check it, shift gears to the right or left. If it can be moved, it is in the neutral position.

Make sure the handbrake is locked. For now, you're sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running while doing nothing and going nowhere, which is a good start.

2. Shift the First Gear

While the clutch is in the stepped position, shift into first gear. Remember, first gear points to the top left. Keep pressing the clutch or the car will stall. Don't worry, the majority of beginners will experience this situation and will get used to it.

3. Release the Handbrake

Now, the car is in a position ready to run. To move the car, release the handbrake. Here, the left foot is still pressing the clutch and the right foot is in a position to press the brake. You may release the right foot from the brake pedal if you are in a flat place.

4. Release the Clutch

Release the clutch slowly until you feel the car has started to run. At the same time, press the gas slowly and gently. This could be the trickiest part.

Start slowly by adding gas until the tachometer displays 1000 or 2000 RPM. Too little gas makes the car stutter, while too much gas makes the clutch in trouble. Once or twice may not be a problem, but too often will damage the clutch.

5. Shift the Gear

The clutch must be released and the driver simply pressed the gas with his right foot. At this point, the gear is still in the first position. Continue to increase speed and then shift to second gear. To know when to change gears, pay attention to the sound of the engine or the RPM numbers.

6. Add More Gear and Repeat

When you want to add more gears, remove your foot from the gas and press the clutch with your left foot. The car will keep going in this position. Shift into a higher gear then release the clutch and start pressing the gas pedal again. Do this step if you want to add more gears.

To lower the gears, the process is the same as when you add the gears, it's only reversed. Start lowering gears one by one using the clutch until it stops.