Manual gearbox:

how it works and how to best use it

without making mistakes

How manual transmission works, how to use it correctly and

what are the most common mistakes that could make the driving
experience less pleasant

Of all the components that make up the mechanical transmission, the gear

lever is certainly one of the most important as, by acting together with the
clutch , it allows you to change the transmission ratio between the engine and
the wheels, what in jargon is defined as "torque. engine ", thus allowing the
former to work more efficiently while maintaining its rotation speed, the so-
called RPM ( Revolutions Per Minute ) or revolutions per minute, at an optimal
level.

Currently there are two main types of gearboxes supplied on cars:

the manual one and the automatic one . Of the two, certainly the most
complex one to learn to use is the first, which often puts in serious difficulty
not only novice drivers but also more experienced drivers, who can still make
small mistakes in its use which in the long run can cause even serious
damage to the mechanical components of the car.
Here is a brief but detailed overview on the correct use of the manual
gearbox .

How does the manual gearbox work

Unlike the automatic gearbox, equipped with a digital control unit that
manages the mechanical transmission thus exempting the driver from any
type of gear management, the manual gearbox allows direct control of the
gears while driving, making it undoubtedly much more engaging but at the
same time more tiring, especially in urban traffic. Although there are
several models of cars with manual transmission, with five, six or seven
gears, their operation is almost identical .based on the same mechanical
structures: the input motor shaft, the countershaft and the output motor
shaft. On these three components are inserted sprockets of different sizes,
meshed with each other, which correspond to the different gears, or torque
ratios. Through the use of the clutch and the gear lever it is possible to freely
decide which gear to use according to need; in general , a higher gear
corresponds to a higher speed.

How do you change gears with a manual gearbox?

Most used cars have a  manual gearbox , and its use involves a precise
succession of steps that must be carried out in sequence to avoid damaging
the mechanical components.
Let's see them below:

 Push the clutch all the way down . This action allows you to
temporarily disconnect the drive torque by disconnecting the input motor
shaft from the countershaft, thus allowing you to change gear while
keeping the motor running. It is important to remember not to give a
sharp blow to the clutch pedal, which would damage it, but on the
contrary to apply controlled and homogeneous pressure on it.

 Move the shift lever to the center position  . Keeping the clutch pedal
pressed, place the lever in "neutral" , ie in the center. To check that you
are in the correct position just move the lever gently to the right and left ,
if this is possible it means that the crankshaft is disconnected and it is
possible to move freely in the transmission.

 Engage the gear. Without making too sudden movements, place the

gear lever in the selector of the new gear. This is the step in which you
risk making mistakes, especially if the gear is not correctly engaged in a
hurry. To avoid damaging the transmission , keep the clutch firmly
pressed to prevent the gear lever from scratching on the crankshaft,
damaging it. Should this occur, you will clearly hear a very annoying
noise coming from the engine , do not move the gear lever but press the
clutch fully.
  Release the clutch and press the accelerator at the same
time . Once the gear is positioned correctly, it is time to reconnect the
crankshaft to the countershaft so as to allow the drive wheels to
reconnect to the engine. Gently release the clutch pedal while pushing
the accelerator pedal. As soon as you hear a slight vibration of the
pedal you can completely release the clutch , and resume driving.

When to change and how to use gear correctly?

For those who are not very familiar with machines with manual transmission,
one of the main difficulties often lies in not knowing when the right time to
change gear is , often tending to stay on the same, straining and thus
uselessly wearing the car engine.

 A high- pitched noise is the signal that it is necessary to

downshift and engage the higher gear; the noise is caused by having
exceeded the optimal threshold of 2000 RPM of the engine that is
straining excessively to increase the speed
 A heavier noise and the gradual slowing down of the car , on the other
hand, mean that the RPMs are too low and the engine cannot provide
enough power and risks stalling. In this case it is necessary to downshift
to the previous gear in order to increase the torque.

Common mistakes NOT to make

As mentioned, manual gearbox driving requires a lot of practice. However, it is

important from the outset to avoid repeatedly committing some erroneous
behaviors which, if they become automatic, could cause serious problems to
the mechanical transmission.
Keep your left foot constantly resting on the clutch

Especially if you are at the first guides it is often tempting to keep your left foot
permanently on the clutch pedal to be able to press it quickly and avoid
switching off the car during braking, having not yet developed enough
sensitivity with the use of the brake pedal. . This attitude, however, involves
excessive use of the clutch even in situations where it is not absolutely
necessary and at the same time prevents you from becoming familiar with the
use of the engine brake.

Leave your right hand at rest on the shift lever

Also in this case it is a fairly common mistake among the newly licensed
because at the beginning many gear changes are made due to inexperience
and because, as for the clutch, there is a fear of suddenly switching off the car
engine. 

Keep the clutch pedal fully depressed during a stop

Unlike the previous two, this is a mistake that is frequently made even by
experienced drivers. When we are forced to stop, at a traffic light or at a
"Stop", we often leave first gear engaged, keeping the clutch pedal fully
pressed to get a quick restart. However, this is not a profitable choice but on
the contrary it often leads to excessive wear of the clutch components, as well
as to fatigue of the muscles of the left leg forced to remain under tension at
times for prolonged periods of time.

Shift two gears at the same time

It is often believed that to downshift it is only necessary to reach a certain
level of RPM , however this is a mistaken belief and harmful to the car
engine. For example, if you decide to go directly from first to third gear or vice
versa, you would only get the result of over-straining the engine , in fact the
gear change would be too large, causing in the first case a sudden loss of
power and speed and in the second a sudden braking due to excessive
engine brake action.

Engage reverse gear when the machine is still moving

Again this is a mistake that is commonly made by inexperienced

drivers. When parking maneuvers, especially in tight spaces or with other cars
nearby, many corrections are made, for fear of hitting the car not yet knowing
its dimensions perfectly, this involves switching repeatedly from first gear to
reverse and vice versa. However, if these changes occur without the car being
completely stopped, there is a real risk of damaging the transmission ,
because although in terms of torque ratio the two gears are very similar, the
rotation movement they make on the crankshaft it is exactly the opposite.