So I’ve finally found the right deal for the fiesta I want, but it’s 3 hours away, and I have very limited experience with manual transmission, and no teacher. So I’m going to go buy a car and have a 3 hour trip ahead of me with nothing but hours of YouTube videos and a handful of quick encounters behind the wheel of a manual. Is there any advice anyone can give me on driving manual, specifically pertaining to the fiesta st?
The main two things: 1) Take it slow. 2) Remain calm.
The *only* tricky part to manuals is learning the friction point. This is necessary for starting in first and reverse. Other than that, it's cake.
Keep the radio off so you can tune in to the engine RPM sounds... less time glancing at the the gauge.
There's an option in the menus to turn off the "Hill Assist" feature. Do this while you are learning that friction point. Keeping that on, will severely delay your ability to learn that friction point. When
really steep hills, you can use the hand brake to start your take off without rolling backwards. You can ask the dealer to help you locate a nearby steep hill to do some practice starts on. It might be several months, but eventually you won't even need the hand brake.
Get the big yellow caution "NEW DRIVER" or "TRAINING" or whatever that magnet is, to stick on the back. Use flashers when needed. That lets people know to keep their distance and expect the unexpected. You'll get a few less glares and middle fingers if you stall on a take-off. They're less likely to hug your rear bumper when stopped on a hill.
Once you're out of first, just treat it like an automatic. Get that reflex action of stabbing the clutch pedal when braking on the brain.
