5 Tips: You Should Never Do in a Manual Transmission Car

You Should Never Do in a Manual Transmission Car

In the last few decades, automatic transmissions have become the norm in new cars. Manual transmissions are out there, but they're not as popular anymore, and that's for a good reason most drivers can't figure them out.

If you drive a car with a manual transmission, you're probably aware of all the reasons driving it is such an enjoyable experience. However, if you aren't careful, you may be inadvertently causing some damage to your transmission without even realizing it.

Here are five ways you could damage your manual transmission without knowing it and what you can do to prevent this from happening.

1. Rest Your Hand on the Gear Stick

Using your hand to rest your arm on the gear stick while driving is a big no-no, especially if you're accelerating hard. The problem is that the transmission will shift into a higher gear when you accelerate hard. If you've got your arm on the stick, it will drag your hand with it and could cause serious damage when it shifts up and forward.

The best way to avoid this is to use the "hand breaker" method, which means resting your hand on the top of the stick, so your hand slides off when it shifts.

2. Rest Your Foot on the Clutch Pedal

Again, this problem is similar to the above. Depressing the clutch pedal can be a bit of a workout sometimes, so it's tempting to just rest your foot on it for a few seconds until you can catch your breath. However, when you release the pedal and push it down again, that motion will create hydraulic pressure, forcing oil through the hydraulic lifter in your transmission. This is where things get bad. The oil will lubricate the gear teeth of your gearbox, which causes excessive wear.

The best way to avoid this is to keep your foot away from the pedal and only apply pressure when you need to shift gears.

3. Never Shift Gears Without Engaging The Clutch

When you use a clutch pedal, you're doing two things. You are both engaging and disengaging the clutch. Engaging the clutch is when you pull the stick towards you to match revs and grab a gear. Disengaging the clutch is when you push the stick away from you to release pressure and get ready for another gear change.

In most cars, your transmission will not allow you to change gears without first engaging or disengaging the clutch, so if you do this without realizing it, the damage could occur. Damage can occur because the transmission will try to shift gears without the clutch being in the proper position. If you aren't sure how to do this, ask your local mechanic for more information on how you can use your clutch pedal properly.

4. Never Press On The Break Without Engaging The Clutch

Again, there are two things that you're doing here: engaging and disengaging the clutch. You can't engage the clutch without first pressing down on the break. The same goes for disengaging the clutch; you can't disengage it without first pushing down on the break.

Most drivers don't realize this, but both motions are crucial to shifting gears without damage to your transmission. The best way to prevent this is to know when and how to engage and disengage the clutch.

5. Never Leave Your Manual Car In Gear When Stationary

This one goes without saying, but you should never leave your manual car in gear when it's stationary. If you do this and nothing moves, the transmission will overheat and burn out. This is why most manual cars have a feature that allows them to safely park with the engine off. Leave your car in neutral when you park to prevent any damage from occurring.

The Bottom Line

There you have it—5 things you should never do in a manual transmission car. Take a moment to think about these rules and ensure you're following them properly. Stay vigilant and keep these in mind. If something should happen to your transmission, don't panic.

Contact a reliable transmission repair shop near you and they will be able to assist you in getting it repaired or replaced so that you can continue enjoying your manual car. Those are five crucial ways you can avoid damaging your transmission in a manual car.