How To Drive A Stick Shift: Specific Purpose Explanation

How To Drive A Stick Shiftspecific Purpose To Demonstrate To M

Title : How to Drive a Stick Shift Specific Purpose : To demonstrate to my audience how to drive a car with a standard transmission. Thesis Statement: Driving a stick shift can be broken down into three distinctive steps, which when mastered allow the driver to successfully operate the vehicle. Introduction: Attention Material: According to Edmunds.com, vehicles with manual transmission usually cost around $800 to $1000 less than their automatic counterparts. In this economy, I am sure we can all agree that this savings would be helpful the next time we had to purchase a car. While some consider the manual transmission to be a thing of the past, it offers the driver more control over the vehicle and better fuel economy, both of which are important to any driver, young or old.

Establish Credibility: While I am not a professional driver by any means, I learned how to drive on a manual transmission when I was 15 and have been driving one ever since. I very much enjoy the driving experience on a manual transmission and certainly enjoyed the money I saved when I bought my car! Relate Topic to Audience: I am sure that most of you enjoy the convenience that an automatic transmission offers. The car does all of the work for you; all you have to do is drive. However, being able to drive a standard is a great skill to have.

It ensures that you will be able to drive most any vehicle you get in. Also, as I stated before, driving a standard makes for a more enjoyable driving experience. Reveal the Thesis: Today, I will be demonstrating to you how to drive a car with a manual transmission. While I can teach you the mechanics of operating the vehicle, the only way to really learn is practice, practice, practice. Driving a stick shift can be broken down into three distinctive steps, which when mastered allow the driver to successfully operate the vehicle.

Preview the Main Points: Today I’m going to cover the three main steps of starting the vehicle, moving and shifting gears, and stopping the vehicle.

Body

I. The first step in driving a standard is to start the vehicle.

A. Put on your seatbelt

B. Adjust mirrors

C. Release parking brake

  1. Keep foot on brakes.
  2. This will ensure the car does not roll.

D. With your left foot, push in the clutch.

  1. Make sure the clutch is as far in as it will go.
  2. If not, you will not be able to start the car.

E. While keeping the clutch pushed in, turn the key.

  1. Release the clutch.
  2. Keep brake pushed in.

Transition: Now that we have safely started the car, we are ready to put it into motion and learn how to shift.

II. The second step in driving a standard is learning how to make the car move forward and shift gears.

A. Push in the clutch as far as it will go.

B. Shift into first gear.

  1. Move the shifter all the way to the left.
  2. Then move it up until you feel it slide into gear.

C. While slowly releasing the clutch, gently push down on the gas pedal.

  1. This will cause the car to start to move forward.
  2. Release the clutch when you are moving smoothly.

D. At around 3000 RMP, it is time to switch into second gear.

  1. Follow the same procedure as shifting into first.
  2. Make sure you are familiar with your cars gear pattern.
  3. You should shift up a gear every time your car reaches approximately 3000 RPM.
  4. Never allow the RPMs to reach the “red line” as this is highly taxing on your engine.

E. Repeat this procedure until you reach your cruising speed.

Transition: Since we now know how to start our car and move our car, it is now time for the final step.

III. The final step of learning how to drive a standard is stopping the vehicle.

A. To slow down, you can either downshift or use the brakes.

  1. Usually, I simply push in the clutch, move the shifter into neutral, and use my brakes until I stop.
  2. However, some people like to downshift while they break to stop the vehicle.

B. Once the vehicle has come to a halt follow a few simple steps

  1. Turn the engine off.
  2. Put the car in first gear.
  3. Pull the parking brake up.

a. This takes the place of putting an automatic into parking gear.

b. Therefore, your car will not go anywhere without you.

Conclusion

As you can see, driving a stick shift can be broken down into three distinctive steps, which when mastered allow the driver to successfully operate the vehicle. Learning to drive a car with a standard transmission occurs in three steps; starting the car, moving the vehicle and shifting gears, and stopping the vehicle. After these steps are mastered, you will be able to experience all of the benefits that go with owning and driving a car with a standard transmission. And no more lurching down the road!

References

  • Montoya, Ronald. "The Advantages of Buying a Manual-Transmission Vehicle - Edmunds.com." Edmunds, 2010, www.edmunds.com.

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