learning to drive, did u start at or stan?

[Nismo_yo]

I learned with a 5spd in a big parking lot, but didnt start driving on the streets with a 5spd until i was comfortable with a auto on the streets. did drivers test with auto, just one less thing to worry about.

[StrangeLove]

I learned how to drive on an auto, but now that I got my 240, i drive a stick...

[TurboKA37]

well before i really learned how to drive i would always pull the old manual ranger around in the driveway whenever i needed space to play basketball and sometimes drove around the neighborhood in it for fun. so i guess i learned the basics of driving by myself on a manual then once i got my permit i drove with a auto for a little bit but chose to drive either my dads manual bmw or my 240 whenever possible and id say after about a month of having my permit i refused to drive auto because i cant stand driving them (minivan anyway). id say about 3 months after getting my permit i started driving manual on a regular basis by myself. drove down the street to work everyday and sometimes snuck it out for drives on back roads. when test time came i took the test in manual and failed the first time because the guy was so intimidating i got nervous and messed up on parrellel parking. took it the second time in the 240 again and passed with no problems. try to learn manual in a place that you feel comfortable first then take it out on the road when you feel like you have it down. i suggest getting a feel for where the clutch pedal engages and once you remember that you should be much quicker on start-ups on hills

[hannibal]

the worst is when you jump in an auto and start slaming the dead pedal with your foot because your lookin for the clutch.

I did that for months when I got my Taurus. I hadn't owned an auto in years!

I learned to drive on a manual (86 VW Vanagon) when I was 11 or 12. Took my driving test in a 5spd Stanza and passed the first time. I think theyre impressed when a 16 yr old is comfortable driving a manual on the road.If you have access to a manual, practice on that in a parking lot or in a cul-de-sac somewhere. After a few sessions when you more feel comfortable, take it on the road. Its all about learning how to feel what the car is doing. I can pretty much jump in any manual and get a smooth start on the first try. (from my valet experience, new BMWs and Porsches have some tough clutches!!)

Besides, learning to drive an auto is kinda an oxymoron. All ya gotta do is steer...

[TurboKA37]

i agree, i think the instructor was impressed with me because i was driving manual. i always have a little trouble with my dads bmw, not because its hard to drive, just because the clutch and accelerator are so much different than my 240. i have to change the way i drive when im driving it.

[Spike216]

I learned how to drive in a little 5-speed ford escort, in the ice, it was crazy.

Good way to learn though.

[NeverEnuff]

i learned to drive in a 67 vw bug 4 speed man slow as hell but still fun to drive

[Sliding_S14]

IMO you learn how to drive a standerd quick when its your only form of transpertation and you live in the hills.

[WingsNThangs]

Learned to drive a car in automatic transmission. Learned to drive a car in manual transmission a year after I got my drivers license in the car I am currently driving.

[Chingon]

Since in Mexico driving only auto is a handycap, you have to learn in stick...and my parents wouldn't have it any other way either. Like my dad said, "if you learn stick, you can drive anything"

learned in a 60+ vw bug. 4 speed transmission with z shaped shift sequence, a giant 18-wheeler steering wheel, and a stick for a freaking clutch. To make matters worse, I was 6'4" at the time, and this was in city driving. Needless to say, I relearned to drive stick in my 240. Also, if you are in an uphill, you could do what my uncle does, drive as far as you can, e-brake, release e-brake, accelerate, e-brake, etc, etc...(this way you don't slide back). Or you could do what I do, have it at first, and just release the clutch a little w/o accelerating, the car will accelerate enough to keep you planted (of course, this changes when it's wet/iced), then you have to burn out and evaporate the water or ice until you have grip (with bald tires it's harder).

And what do you mean you don't shift into 1st? Don't you guys ever transmission brake?

[bcuz]

lol you dont transmission brake into first, thats a no-no rofl

and actually I transmission brake too much lol.. my clutch is gonna fall off

but you are never supposed to down shift into first, thats jsut how it is...

thats why if Im just cruising in the city or something I like to hurry and get to third, cuz then I can just cruise, and I also have a gear to downshift into if I have to stop fast cuz of idiot drivers (women, jk )

[creophus]

I learned on an automatic, then moved to stick. I drive stick now on a daily basis.