Racing driver's stick shift tips for beginner everyday driving 

The government: Keep two hands on the wheel Casey: Sorry, but I need to rub both of them together to show the camera how a clutch works.

Been watching this series for a while as I save up to get my first stick car

I went and bought my first manual at 30 with no one to teach me or tell me what I was doing wrong. I managed to get it to a parking lot that day (barely) and sat in the car and stumbled across your videos and they really helped. That was 3 months ago and I still watch for any tips or tricks i haven't figured out yet. Thank you for the help and I'm sure my clutch thanks you as well haha

I drive stick since I was a lil kid (I am european) and I don't know why I am watching this video but thank you for showing the tips I already know.

Wait a second! So all this time, you had an Aston Martin?! This is like finding out your uncle is like really really cool!

The first manual car I was offered to drive was a '94 Viper. I was okay until I had to stop on an incline to wait for traffic, and cars got in line behind us. I was too nervous and asked the owner to switch seats.

This is a good one to share for new drivers having trouble with a manual transmission. Also, how about that pretty sounding V12!

That line “if you try to baby something you do worse than just being confident” is me right now. Just bought my first vehicle (used) and it’s stick. I’ve driven stick many times before, never used to be a problem, and it wasn’t my first few times driving this car initially. Then I started watching videos to possibly improve my ability and maintain the longevity of my vehicle. I’ve now found that I focus too much on my shifting and have started making jerkier shifts than I was when I initially started. I find myself overthinking everything and thinking I’m going to break the transmission when prior to watching videos, my driving was very fluid and felt good. Gotta get out of my own head lol

I drive a manual Toyota diesel... the engine has enough power at low RPM to get you started by just engaging the clutch. You won't go very fast, prefect for parking, but you won't stall either.

I'm a beginner driver of a manual transmission car - my first car. This is really helpful so i'm subscribing

I "Learned" to drive a "Stick Shift (Manual)" after High School while working at an Auto Auction... My "BOSS" asked me if I have any experience with a Manual Transmission, then gave me the keys to a 1990 Porsche 911 Turbo! He said "Don't come back until the Clutch is toast, or you have no oil..." THAT is how I "Taught Myself" how to properly operate a Manual Transmission.

Still enjoy hearing your input on this even though I drive stick regularly... I taught myself stick at like 3 AM. I grabbed a cheap '91 Prelude that needed work, worked on it, and then just hopped in and figured it out. Of course, I understood how a manual works, but just took to the streets in the middle of the night when nobody was on the roads. Where I live has lots of stops, hills, and winding roads, so it was a good crash course. It took a few sessions before it really clicked, but I never managed to get myself stranded out there. After a few sessions of local driving at night with no one on the road, I forced myself to take the car to work during the day with traffic and interstate highway. That crushed a lot of the fear and insecurities I had. Only time I had ever stalled was by forgetting to take the car out of gear at a stop and letting the clutch out.

My dad taught me 3 times separately all years apart. Each time I started to get it, and then didn't have a chance to try again for years. My dad was really bad at explaining how to properly work the clutch. It was actually his friend showing me how to ride my motorcycle that helped most. He pointed out that I was letting the clutch out completely as soon as I was feeling it bite. Ultimately, I bought a car (that is honestly a terrible car to learn stick on) and learned by just driving on my own. I would still consider myself an amateur but I haven't stalled the car in months so I'd say I'm getting better. I've got a bad synchro so I had to learn to double clutch right away. Everytime I pull away from a light it puts a smile on my face as I row through the gears and I'm loving it.

Used to work as a detailer at a used car dealership. Was the only one in the entire department that could drive a manual camaro ss. Reason being I was the only one who properly understood how to handle the clutch pedal practically forcing your foot off when the clutch would grab. No one else could grasp how deliberate you have to be due to how strong the clutch to grab, even a couple of people twice my age. Very glad I had someone who taught me the technical aspects of driving stick instead of just the basics. Have daily driven one for almost 8 years now

Girlfriend has always been a stick driver. I’m having her teach me. Thank you for the tips. My catalytic converter got stolen at the beginning of the year, and something about having my car get shanked like that made me finally want to learn about cars, engines, proper driving technique, and most of all how to drive manual. Gf says she has confidence in how I’ve progressed, but I still get apprehensive. Driving manual really do be taming a wild animal: Frightening, but also Thrilling

I'm 20 and just got a 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD manual that I'm learning on. These videos help out a lot tbh

i just got my first manual (yay!) and it’s a 2008 wrx and i absolutely LOVE it! i heard a lot of people say that once you master a wrx you can master any manual and honestly this is starting to make more sense. the other manual i have driven before was a 350z and it was a lot easier to start than the wrx. the first day of driving my new car was honestly tragic and i was so defeated after; i didn’t think i would get anywhere after that day. now, a week later i’m back home practicing after watching your series and gaining some confidence. it made me feel so much better to know that even a race car driver thought it was daunting at first! i’m having so much fun now and i’m so proud of myself for getting better :)

I appreciate the advice to "relax" in this video. Im relatively new to driving a manual, and am frustrared as hell with my 1st to 2nd shifts. Will get there.

"Can't be that hard" And this what I tell everyone who gives me a hard time about why I drive a manual. "Hey, if I can drive it with a messed up right hand, shifting with my left..." Its amazing how difficult people think it is. Thank you for doing this series, not only does it help new drivers realized its not so hard and scary and give good tips to try while learning, these are also helpful for (fairly) seasoned drivers as well. I know I have personally taken tips from these Stick Shift Tips videos and applied them and made my driving better, even after driving a manual for the last decade or so Keep it up man!

Ha, I learned in a 1982 VW Rabbit 4 speed in my parents driveway and then took my drivers test in a 1986 VW Jetta 5 speed. Gotta respect the VW learning.

Man you are literally a better teacher than my driving instructor. I’m still struggling with downshifting and all that when coming up to corners and stuff but your videos really help

I know how to drive a manual well and I'm still watching this to see if I check all the boxes lol Suppose that's the mark of an entertaining video Casey.

Gotta love a new Casey driving video, they have helped me so much with driving my 06 forester keep up the good work man.

Someone point out something wrong so he will make a new video addressing the problem. I drive a stick and know most of these things. Still learning a little. But I just can’t stop watching him drive and go through gears

You started this “series” about when I first bought my manual, I’m 22 still learning been driving it for about 2-3 months and I love it I feel extremely comfortable even went on a 150+ mile road trip. Thanks for all the advice very much appreciated!

I just bought my first manual car (never driven stick) & this is more helpful than the two people who PHYSICALLY tried teaching me! You have to understand it & you're making it pretty clear, thanks! Definitely going to keep up with this series, subbed! 👌🏻

Never forget, the vast majority of manual cars are designed with the expectation that mistakes will be made, so if you have a difficult time getting the hang of stick shifts, it is OK - you most likely will not break something instantly. Even those that have driven manuals for decades occasionally have a bad shift or excessive clutch slips. Just takes getting the feel for the car you drive and no two drive exactly the same. I sincerely hope that many of you find the enjoyment having control of your gear selection can provide - we need more manual driver in the next generation to ensure the manufacturers do not totally abandon manual transmissions!!! Really it will be the next generations that either save the manuals or condemn them to museum pieces.

As a guy who learned to drive a stick from someone in their 20's in a 93 chevy geo tracker, I can not express the joy and knowledge i get from these videos.lol Recently bought my first newer car, which is a 2013 civic si and I dont want to treat it like the previous owner did. Love the videos and can't wait for the next one.

Got a Subaru Impreza wrx. You literally help me drive my manual so much

Proud to say my daughter learned to drive a manual transmission while learning how to drive. We don’t own a vehicle with an automatic (never have), so last month she had to take the driver’s test driving a manual. She passed!

Thank you for these videos. Being a self taught manual driver, and doing so for over a decade, I am still always looking for ways to improve my ability. Sure, some of your information is already known, but there is always more to learn or different ways to look at and understand things.

When you were making fun of the nerdy people explaining every piece and part of the clutch you had me actually dying🤣

You're really a great dude, I just got my first stick car and these videos help me immensely. You explain things the way my brain digests.

I have a 01 Prelude 5 speed n you’ve help me drive a lot better. Learned things i didn’t even know i was doing wrong.

Just recently bought my first car. '07 Si. Never drove a stick prior to this and this video helps alot.

Love these vids!! Maybe we’ll see racing drivers tips for everyday steering at some point?

I have always had stick shift vehicles in my fleet and have driven cars trucks and everything in between. I still enjoy these videos as I have used them to somewhat refine my skill set and I can use your way of explaining shifting to supplement my way of explaining stick to newer drivers. Nice work man.

I drive a semi with an 18 speed and I recently decided to get a 6 speed car which has been years sense I’ve drove and your videos are a great refresher because I really forgot how different the 2 really are.

Hey Casey Yesterday youtube suggested me your stick driving guides and I watched them all in a row. Today I seem to be better at lowering the RPM needed to start moving on the first gear, it feels awesome.Thanks! I got my first ever stick car (08' wrx sti) last month and have been struggling to find the balance since then, hope I'll start getting more friendly to the clutch now :) I especially liked the BMX example as I can totally relate to it. Same as when going for a massive drop or a big air on an MTB I felt scared in the first couple of weeks driving that car, my hands were literally shaking even before I started the engine. After saying to myself to get cool and not overthink every single action, shifting became smoother and felt more natural.

This is literally my favorite youtube channel!

I had some life circumstances that required that I got a new car, and I yolo'd into a manual car like a week after learning. My friend taught me the basics, but I've been really discouraged driving on my own. This was really helpful. Thank you so much

64 seconds into the first video I’ve seen by this guy and I’m already subscribed

I just got my 2014 honda Si coupe Its manual and its my first manual car ! This is helping alot Thank you so much

I’m almost 50 and grew up driving a stick. Didn’t realize how much I suck at it until watching this guy. My wife’s neck muscles thank you!

I’m so glad I found this. My 90’ crx is my best friend currently

I just got my Maine drivers permit and I am learning to drive a stick shift i am enjoying it so far

love this series Casey! I’m on the verge of learning a manual and taking lessons, and these videos have definitely helped me build that basic knowledge. Definitely keep this going 🙌🏼🙌🏼.

... I got a free beater with a heater and a 5 speed, and managed to get it running with a new clutch... next I'm going to take my 13 year old daughter out to an empty lot and teach her to drive stick!!!! I'm sending her this video to get started!

In today's episode of old man's mumblings: Casey learns a new word - Vibe!

True story: I went to Italy for work and ended up with a manual. I wasn't concerned because I had driven manuals a lot (delivered pizzas for years in various manuals with no problem). However it had been some time (ahem 15 years) since I had last driven a manual. I ended up in some very narrow garage with a manual car at 8 am, after being up for almost 24 hours traveling to Italy. I ended up stalling the car like 3 times trying to get it out of the garage, with tons of angry people piling up behind me and honking their horns. Eventually I got it out on the main road, and I couldn't figure out why I had stalled the car so many times. As I got onto the highway, I marveled at the fact that I was able to drive at almost 60 mph in 2nd gear in this tiny car. Eventually, I realized my mistake - I wasn't in 2nd, I was in 4th - I had been starting the car in 3rd gear. :(

I learned how to drive stick on a Heavily modified V6 mustang I rented in Turo. It was a crazy experience because it was crazy loud and stiff.

I learned at the age of 15 in my pops 302 f150 with a burnt clutch. One of the hardest things I've ever driven in my life. I guess my pops figured that if I learned hard everything would be easy.

My friend's dad owns a scrapyard, and also owns a Samurai. That's where I learned to drive manual, we used to race around the huge scrapyard while feeling like Dom Toretto

17, and I've already had alot of knowledge of driving a car, never really driven one, but the knowledge just, made it easy My dad said "its like you've driven before" Best day of my life lol

I trust your tips more then anyone's one RU-vid !!!!

My parents had me move the stick car when cleaning snow for a winter, then they parked me on the biggest hill around and said it’s your turn. One huge j-strip later I haven’t had an issue.

The talk on modulating the clutch has helped me start smoother with my new civic si. You gotta really find the sweet spot in that car, or you get a little bump on starting. Before listening to that modulating explanation I didn't know what I was doing wrong most times.

This was really what I was looking for.. I've been driving for 4 years and I am really anxious sometimes when to shift or am I revving the engine too much like that and I will be thinking about it and I fed up... I think your words will help me from now on. Thanks man👏👏

I’m getting my first manual car tomorrow (2017 Focus RS) and I’ve been watching all these videos in anticipation. 😂

Casey I appreciate these videos. I'm planning on purchasing a new used Golf R and I'm going to do it right and plan on purchasing a manual. Thanks for these tips!!

My dad taught me to drive stick on his 1994 Turbo Supra... Not the easiest thing to learn on. Then my first car was a Jeep Wrangler 4x4 manual on 35" tires with the 4 cylinder. Not the current 4 cylinder, the old tractor one that is a downgrade to the Miata 1.8L. So now I can drive my S2000, Corvette, and STi perfectly fine. Rev matching the S2000 is hard with the 8lb flywheel but still doable

This is the best series of videos ever, (and the King Zero series) keep it up!

Laughs in European culture really is different over here with cars.

A lot of this advice is fantastic general life advice.

Watching from Montreal Quebec Canada dude you are awesome .Learnt a lot from you .

I've driven stick a little in friends cars, but I'm still learning. I fear learning it in a type 6 fire engine might develop some bad habits (14 thousand pounds and lots of torque), but this series has really helped. Thanks!!

I regularly watch these videos even though I've been driving stick for a year and I've never driven an automatic. I always learn something new and become a bit of a better driver

Shoutout to Oshkosh, my hometown! I live just south of Wittman. Sad there was no EAA this year. I always go. Love what you do, Casey!!!

Been watching this series from England as I'm learning to drive manual. Love how you explain things, it makes more sense than my instructor.

Another good vid Casey. I've noticed from your previous vids you like to keep your heal on the floor when engaging the clutch. That is soooo new to me that it feels like I'm re-learning how to shift again, thank you for that. Second, my driving instructor from BB mentioned to "ALWAYS TREAT YOUR GEAR SHIFT KNOB LIKE AN EGG", sorry about the modulation but, he could not express it enough. Keep'em coming Casey I see your subscriptions are also going up too. WHEW HOO

Hey, Casey, I want to truly thank you and my father for teaching me how to drive a newer manual vehicle. I got a 2002 Dodge Dakota about a couple days ago with a V6 3.9 Liter and 5-Speeder. Another video of yours that I just watched mentioned the Muncie M22 Rock Crusher (a transmission I'm very in love and in tune with) and how with the older 4-Speeders that you have to be very authoritative with the shifting and both the gas and clutch (which is honestly very straightforward and true). Considering my project truck is a full-sized 3/4 Ton HD 1968 GMC C2500 with a Borg-Warner Super T-10 4-Speed and 396, switching to a much lighter mid-size truckwith a lighter and newer (to me, anyway) 5-Speed and V6 is pretty humbling and a whole new experience. These videos, along with my dad's teaching and patience, are very helpful. You're amazing! Thank you so much!

you're the best instructor on the internet! Thanks!

First and best experience learning to drive a manual, was driving my older brothers 91 honda civic hatchback si. One of the most forgiving car to learn to drive a stick. However, he was a good teacher &, playing grand truismo helped a lot as far as shift points and learning the mechanics. I’ve never looked forward to driving a automatic since from a engaging drivers point of view. Now I daily my Honda s2000 in LA. Believe it or not I love every minute of it.

This was such a helpful video to watch for someone who is new to driving manual. Answers so many questions I had. Thank you for this

Taught my 16 year old son how to drive stick shift this spring. Told him to be proud of himself because 90% of drivers out there do not posses such skills anymore. He really kept stalling out at first till I told him to keep the RPMs right at 1000, that's when it clicked for him.

Very useful video even for old timers like me. I learned to drive stick from the beginning (mid-80s) and dailyed one until 2007. 5 years ago I sold the last one I only drove very rarely (rustbucket CJ project). Finally got back to rowing my own in March (Miata). I caught myself "banging the clutch" a couple times on upshifts just because I was being lazy/inattentive. Your videos are going to be a part of teaching my kids. The eldest will be 15 next month.

I drive 30 miles to work every day in my fully restored '93 Geo Metro XFi 3 cylinder 5 speed that gets 58 miles per gallon. Nobody sees clean Geos so it turns heads and I taught myself to drive manual on youtube. I couldn't even get it off the car dolly when I first bought it, I stalled at least 10 times!!! But it's fun driving stick and a great skill as a mechanic when they ask me to pull in a manual car.

Im 16 and ive been learning how to drive manual in a 2004 pontiac sunfire. I can drive it way smoother now with these tips.

Ive driven stick basically my entire 29 years of life, but id love to just drive around with you one time, you could have me driving the evo so insanely perfect it would be awesome haha

After watching the double clutch explication on a previous video I learned to do it and I got so suprised how nice it is to double cluch down shift and now I do it all the time. Thanks a lot!

I"m just amazed that there are people out there that don't know, or haven't experienced this stuff! I always thought these were the basics of life.

Got rid of my manual sedan for a boring SUV and I’ve regretted it ever since. I will buy a manual for my next car

Great video. I use the analogy of a rope around a tree and in both hands. One hand is the gas and the other is the brake. If you push one away from you you have to pull the other hand towards you at the same time. Same with the clutch and gas

This definitely helped me, I'm on my learning journey rn

Just got a manual ford ranger myself. I use to drive a manual semi truck. But this isn’t that haha so I feel new to this all over again lol

I have the automatic i4 turbo jeep. it’s a fun engine but there is no manual option. So I ordered the v6 manual this time around, I’m pumped to learn.

just great! ur making a 24 minute video and all ur doing is driving but still u convince me to keep watching till the end

I needed this. I've got a family car (little d21 Hardbody) that I want to buy off my cousin before he sells it to someone random but I need to prove to my mom that I'll be fine managing a clutch.

Here in the UK, only recently widowed grannies get auto-only licenses (not quite true, but not far off either). I was taught to use my ears, and it was great advice. When starting, press the clutch and raise the revs just a bit over tick-over. Let out the clutch until the engine note drops slightly - that's the bite point - learn it and get used to finding it (it helps if you drive more than one car). Now, smoothly let out the clutch, and use the accelerator to maintain the engine note until the clutch is fully engaged. This should be smooth and quick, but not rushed, to minimise clutch wear and stresses on the drivetrain. For shifting, get to know the note an engine makes in each gear at each speed. You slot it into gear when the engine note matches what it should be for the current speed in the new gear. If you get this right, you don't even need your clutch. You generally change gears at the same revs (the "trigger note"), so there are only a few speeds you need to learn the notes for. You just need to learn the target notes in each gear. E.g. if you tend to shift from 3rd to 4th at 30mph, drive at 30 in both gears and learn the two engine notes. On a quiet road, drive at a constant 30, and just change up and down between 3rd & 4th a bunch of times, switching between the two notes. It'll quickly become second nature. You should be able to do this fast enough that the speed doesn't drop while shifting. Of course, like learning to hum a tune, once you've mastered it, you don't think about it.

I have a 6th gen accord (2000) with a stick: the car is incredibly fun. Appreciated your tips. I wish people who drove stick used the handbrake when stopping on a hill. You don’t HAVE to roll back before accelerating

Been watching a ton of these while my 5-speed is at a shop, and mannnn am I missing it right now

First time watching this guy. I knew within the first minute I liked this guy. He super funny

My 2nd car was a stick shift and my mom taught me how to drive stick in a parking lot. The Internet was barely around RU-vid was definitely not around.. and unfortunately through some things that were really cool, but things that didn't give me a vehicle choice (ie. taking over my dad's employee lease on his 2008 BMW Z4, which meant I drove a super nice brand new car for less than $300 a month, of course I'm gonna take it, even though it was an automatic) I didn't own a manual car again until a few weeks ago, which is almost 14 years later? And it's like ridin a bike.. BUT I'm like WAIT. We have RU-vid.. so I'm going to watch as many videos as I can to become the most pro stick shift driver, can unlike before we have RU-vid! lol. So that's kind of like where I'm at.. but man, it's like.. 305 HP.. I find it very hard two things: 1. I find it very hard to not do the newbie shake thing in 1st and 2nd gear, and 2. How to do reverse without flying and without stalling the car.. In reverse I tried to not stall the car, and the car ended up going way too fast.. In fact, when it comes to stopping or parking for instance, I'll often have to put the car in neutral or keep the clutch down because the car just goes faster than I need to even in 1st gear to park with good precision coz it seems that the car does not want to go slow enough to do that without stalling. In reverse it's worse, I mean I'm trying to get out of the driveway slowly and in order to not stall the car it seems I have to go way too fast.. I tried letting out the clutch when it was going at a normal backing out speed and the engine stalled. So those are the things I want to fix. >2 gear is no problem. Shifting down is no problem. I had no idea double clutch or heel to toe existed so those are new to me.. but yeah.

I learned to drive stick when I was 14 which was about 10 years ago and have finally been able to save up and buy a stick shift (97 v6 Ford Mustang) I literally just bought it a few days ago and I'm still re teaching myself to drive stick the only thing I struggle with is taking off from a stop/light/ or even a hill. I can shift no problem it's just taking off I struggle with.

I appriciate the pointers. Been driving manual for a few decades and have been wNting to learn how to elevate that jerking between shifts.

I'm about to buy my first car and it's gonna be a manual transmission so I watch your videos. I've already driven a few cars with stick but I want to learn even more.

good tips good coaching & narration well- delivered .. thank you.

Worked at a major used car dealership for my first "real" job; the first manual car I learned to drive standard in was a gt350r with tr6060 (same trans in my c6 gs what a coincidence lol) then practiced more on the less exciting sports cars (st, gti, brz) and honestly I can say it's a lot easier than u think. my manager helped me out a bit with getting it rolling cause I still didnt understand the mechanics and why things happened the way they did in a manual. Once he explained it and I got some confidence after successfully getting the shelby to roll, everything was so much less intimidating. Eventually got pretty well versed in driving all sorts if manuals with different clutches, engines, and sizes of cars to where I was ready to get my own and traded my auto camaro as for a manual c6 gs and trust me just the manual alone was worth it then u throw in the experience of the vette (lightweight, great powerband, and also being excessively low- just ask my splitter) it was a no brainers. Also being a v8 with a good amount of torque its relatively easy to drive smoothly without TOO much practice. p.s. the I'm a bowtie guy for life but tht shelby is definitely something I want to own now at one point in the future.. it's a world a difference from a gt to gt350

You don’t notice how many hills there are in your town until you drive a stick, lol. Pretty scary at first but once you get the hang of it you get a little feeling of pride. I’ve had passengers who were like “are we going to roll back?” as we sat at lights on an incline only to have me simultaneously release the handbrake and smoothly accelerate uphill without incident (usually to their surprise/relief). Personally if I see somebody ahead of me I think is driving stick (sitting stopped without the tail lamps illuminated is a pretty good indication) I give them a bit of extra space just in case. It takes a couple weeks of driving to build up the confidence in yourself that you won’t stall and hold everyone up. Once you know your machine well it’s pretty much a non-issue and you don’t worry about it anymore. I like to tell people about this one time at a drive thru in my Mustang: I got distracted and thought I had it in neutral and had to lean a bit out of the window to get my food, letting my foot off the clutch. Needless to say I was a bit embarrassed when the car lurched ahead a foot or two and stalled with my ass out of the seat and my arms out the window reaching for my food. The lady was looking at me like “WTF..?” I was kind of embarrassed and glad to leave but it’s my favorite “manual moment” to tell people when they say they’re nervous about learning. Shit happens lol.

I Really Wished This Video Was Out 2 Months Ago When I Got My 5spd E46 . These Tips Are Exactly What I Hadta Learn Myself . Tons Of Stalling And Burnouts