Ah, the manual transmission—nothing quite captures the essence of driving like the good old stick shift. But as liberating as it feels to grind through the gears, it’s not without its pitfalls.
Whether you’re a newbie clutching nervously at the pedal or a seasoned vet cruising in fifth, we’ve all been guilty of a few gear-shifting gaffes. These mistakes can be more than just embarrassing—they can hit you where it hurts: your wallet.
Here’s 15 pricey mistakes you can make when driving a stick shift.
Continuous Clutch Engagement
Ever find yourself keeping the clutch pressed down a bit too long? Here’s why you might want to kick that habit. The clutch’s job is to smoothly link your engine and transmission without causing hiccups or stalling. But when you ride the clutch more than necessary, you’re setting yourself up for some hefty repair bills. Overheating and excessive wear on your clutch can sneak up on you, turning something small into a major expense.
Dropping the Clutch Too Fast
Let’s talk about dropping the clutch. It might feel right in the moment, especially if you’re in a hurry, but it’s not doing you any favors. Dropping the clutch too fast can stall your car, and besides being embarrassing, it’s pretty risky.
And if you’re the type to floor it at green lights, you’re not just showing off—you’re burning through your tires and stressing your car. The goal? Smooth and steady wins the race. Make sure your clutch release is as smooth as your ride.
Using a Clutch to Hold You on a Hill
So, you’re inching up a hill and tempted to use your clutch to hold your position? Let’s rethink that. Keeping your car stationary on an incline by partially engaging the clutch is like asking for trouble—it puts a ton of strain on the mechanism, basically frying it over time.
Instead, why not pop the car into neutral and use your parking brake? It’s safer and saves your clutch from an early retirement. Remember, your clutch isn’t a brake, so treat it kindly!
Resting Foot on a Clutch Pedal
Here’s a quick tip—your clutch pedal is not a footrest! It might not seem like a big deal to rest your foot there, but even light, continuous pressure can cause premature wear. When you’re not actively shifting, keep your foot off the pedal. Park it on the floor instead.
This small change in habit can extend the life of your clutch significantly, ensuring smoother rides and fewer trips to the mechanic. It’s a simple move that’ll save you a lot of hassle down the road.
Staying in Gear at Red Light
Next time you’re waiting at a red light, give yourself—and your car—a break. Shift into neutral and let that clutch pedal go. Why? Keeping your car in gear and your foot on the clutch not only tires you out but also wears down the thrust bearing inside your transmission.
That little part working overtime can lead to big repair bills down the line. Instead, just hold down the brake pedal. This simple switch can save you money and extend your car’s lifespan.
Using Clutch and Brake Simultaneously
It’s a common knee-jerk reaction: you see a sudden hazard, and you slam both the clutch and brake at the same time. Seems like a good idea, right? Actually, this can make things worse by locking your wheels and reducing your car’s traction -hello, skid city! Especially if you’re not someone with experience, this could send your car sliding straight into trouble instead of stopping it.
Learning to brake without simultaneously hitting the clutch might take a bit of practice, but it’s a pretty important skill for keeping control in those heart-stopping moments.
Driving With a Faulty Clutch
Noticed something off with your clutch? Don’t just shrug it off -clutch issues can escalate quickly. Sure, your car might still limp along with a faulty clutch, but you’re setting yourself up for bigger headaches.
Driving with clutch problems can lead to severe damage to your engine and transmission, not to mention a hefty repair bill. So, take it easy on your wallet and your stress levels: drop by your mechanic’s as soon as you spot the first signs of trouble.
Dragging Your Engine on High Gears
Trying to keep your car in a higher gear at low speeds isn’t doing you any favors. It’s like expecting top performance on an empty tank -just not going to happen. Some say it’s good for gas mileage, but the truth? It strains every part of your drivetrain and engine. Instead of pushing it to the limits, shift down to a lower gear. Let your engine run smoothly without the extra strain.
Immediate Switch Between Gears
Speed-shifting might seem cool, but it’s rough on your car. Quick, harsh transitions between gears aren’t just bad for your transmission and engine—they’re also a surefire way to start racking up repair costs.
Plus, those sudden jerks? They’re not too popular with passengers either, especially if they end up wearing their coffee. Your wife will not thank you for that. Taking a moment to shift gears smoothly can save a lot of grief (and dry cleaning bills).
Putting Your Car in Neutral While Downhill
It might be tempting to coast in neutral while heading downhill to save fuel, but there’s a better strategy: keep it in gear and use engine braking. This helps control speed without overusing your brakes.
Why does this matter? Relying too heavily on your brakes can lead to overheating and even brake failure. Using your engine to help slow down not only gives your brakes a break but also keeps you safer on those long, steep declines.
Resting Your Hand On The Gear Knob
We all do it—rest our hand on the gear knob while driving in a manual car. It feels natural, right? But this casual habit reduces your control by limiting you to one-hand steering. It’s a safety risk that’s easy to avoid. Keep both hands on the wheel, ready for whatever the road throws your way. It’s safer, and it helps you react faster to any unexpected moves from other drivers.
Adjust The Clutch Properly
Hearing a grind when you shift gears? That’s your car pleading for a smoother clutch engagement. Partially engaging the clutch and then shifting isn’t just rough on your ears, it’s brutal on your transmission, especially the gears. Make sure to fully depress the clutch before shifting to avoid this metal-on-metal horror show.
Money Shifting
Ever heard of Money Shifting? It’s every manual driver’s nightmare. This pricey mistake happens when you downshift too aggressively -like slamming from 5th straight to 2nd.
Not only does it sound terrifying, but it can wreak havoc on your car’s engine and transmission. If you’re not confident in your rev-matching skills, it’s best to play it safe. Get yourself some self-control and avoid the urge to channel your inner race car driver on regular roads.
Parking In Neutral
Relying on just the parking brake while parked in neutral? That’s a risk you might want to rethink. If the parking brake ever fails, your car won’t stay put. It could start rolling and turn into a huge danger to anything in its path.
A safer bet is to leave your car in gear when parked. If you’re facing uphill, keep it in 1st gear. Heading downhill? Pop it in reverse. This way, even if your parking brake slips, your car has an extra layer of security against rolling away.
Taking Maintenance For Granted
Think skipping regular maintenance on your manual car isn’t a big deal? Think again. It’s like ignoring a small leak in your roof -eventually, it’s going to cause a lot more trouble than just a drip. Keeping up with the basics like changing your transmission fluid and engine oil is a necessity. If you don’t show your car some respect with regular check-ups, don’t be surprised when it starts acting up.
