How to learn how to drive stick-shift
How I did it: I never had a desire to learn. My car died and the one I was purchasing/being given was a stick so I HAD to learn.
I asked a friend to give me lessons. The first time he took me out I couldn't even START the car. After about 5 minutes I tried to get out of the car because I was jerking SO much. He just laughed and wouldn't let me give up.
I finally made it into first gear and then into second. I practiced in a parking lot for about an hour before calling it a night.
The second time he took me out we decided to screw the parking lot after about 10 minutes. Because I knew how to "drive" it was pretty easy to just fall in with the other cars.
After the second lesson, I brought the car home and drove around my neighborhood at night. I also went to a parking lot and practiced getting into 1st gear for a couple of horus. Once you master that, the rest is gravy.
The third time my friend took me out it was on a date...ladies, if you want to learn ask a guy that you already like ;)
I'm not going to lie, getting the hang of it is very tricky at first. I've been driving an automatic since I starting driving over 10 years ago...switching to a stick mindset takes practice but eventually you will learn and be able to lord it over everyone else!!!!
Lessons & tips: When in panic: shift into neutral and just use the brake. Neutral is your FRIEND!
Going up hills: if stopped on a hill it's okay to use the emergency brake just to make sure you get into gear if someone's behind you. While getting comfortable just remember if you let out the clutch and press the gas at the same time you WILL go up the hill. It might take a second or two of drifting but eventually you WILL go. PHYSICS won't fail you...just GO for it!
Stalling: if you stall know it's because you're driving a stick shift and therefore are superior to the asshole behind you. Seriously.
Resources: Google "drive a stick shift". Before my friend took me out I watched several youtube videos and read every instructional guide I could find on the web. You need to understand WHY/HOW shifting works.
