How to Change Gear in a Manual Car

Driving a manual car requires mastering the gear stick, a skill that can be challenging at first but becomes second nature with practice.

In this guide, we’ll break down the essential steps to help you smoothly change gears using the "palming method"—a technique widely recommended by driving instructors to make gear shifts more accurate and intuitive.

Why the Palming Method?

When you're learning to drive a manual car, one of the most common issues is selecting the wrong gear, which can lead to stalling or even damaging the gearbox. The palming method helps you overcome this by providing a more controlled and deliberate way to find the right gear every time.

This technique uses the palm of your hand to guide the gear stick with precision, rather than gripping it tightly, which can often lead to mistakes.

Understanding the Basics: Getting to Know Your Gears

Before you even start the car, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the gear stick’s layout. Typically, manual cars have a diagram on top of the gear lever showing where each gear is located.

First gear is usually to the left and up, second is straight down from first, third is in the center, and so on.

A critical point to remember: the gear lever is spring-loaded, which means it automatically moves back to the central neutral position between the third and fourth gears. This is important when shifting gears quickly and accurately.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Gears

Moving from Neutral to First Gear
To start driving from a stationary position, you'll use first gear.

Place your hand on the right side of the gear stick with your palm facing away from you and thumb pointing down. Push the stick to the left and then forwards to engage first gear. The key here is to use the palm method—apply steady pressure rather than forcefully grabbing the lever.

Shifting from First to Second Gear
Once you're moving, you'll need to shift up to second gear. With your hand still positioned on the right side of the gear stick, apply light pressure to guide it backwards while keeping it close to the left.

This prevents the stick from slipping into fourth gear, a common mistake among new drivers.

Moving from Second to Third Gear
Changing to third gear requires more finesse. Rotate your hand so that your palm is facing towards you. Push the gear stick lightly into neutral, allowing it to spring to the center position, and then push it forward into third gear.

Shifting to Higher Gears (Fourth and Fifth)
Shifting into fourth and fifth gears is straightforward once you're familiar with the neutral spring.

For fourth gear, pull the stick straight back from third, while for fifth gear, move the lever to the right and then forward.