Using a Manual Transmission NV Driver Education Curriculum Unit 3: The Driving Task Presentation 4 of 7

Vehicle Transmission A transmission converts engine speed into power to turn the wheels of a vehicle. Shifting gears changes how the speed of the engine is transferred to the wheels. Low gears provide greatest power. Higher gears allow for highest speeds. Image from: http://www.pe.com/cars/content/cars/stories/cars0903stickingaround.144fc7f93.html Retrieved: 12/07/09

Manual Transmissions Manual-shift vehicles (manual transmissions) Driver shifts gears and uses the clutch while driving. When the clutch pedal is pressed down, the engine separates from the transmission, which allows the driver to change gears. 1 2 1 Gear image from: http://www.mrcheapstuff.com/deals/2007/07/page/2/ Clutch image from: http://www.ehow.com/how_5477575_drive-transmission-stick-shift-car.html Retrieved: 12/03/09 2

Position may vary, especially for reverse (R) Shift Patterns Position may vary, especially for reverse (R) N = NEUTRAL position where no gears engaged R = REVERSE for moving backward Pattern printed on gear knob 4-Speed 5-Speed patterns Images from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission Retrieved: 12/07/09 R

Gears 1st gear = 0-15 mph 2nd gear = 15-25 mph 3rd gear = 25-40 mph 4th gear = 40-55 mph 5th gear = 55+ mph

How to Use Stick Shift Video See eHow video Learning to Drive a Stick Shift (“H” Patterns) (Tony’s Driving School-AZ) http://www.ehow.com/video_2327197_sequence-gears-manual-transmission-learn.html?cp=1&pid=1 (1:01)** See eHow video How To Drive Stick (Willie Driving School-UT) http://www.ehow.com/video_4997850_drive-stick.html (1:28)** Click on web address to access video clips *Suggest full screen viewing NOTE: some on YouTube, check access **fixed Always preview video before showing to students Check content Check availability

Advantages Better fuel economy Less expensive vehicles May have less maintenance Driver control Car image from: http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Pictures-c8712-pi5239251-2008-Yaris.html#pi5239241 Shift image from: http://www.cargurus.com/images/2007/09/12/10/08/pic-37416.jpeg Retrieved: 12/07/09

Disadvantages Forces one hand off steering wheel on a continual basis Inexperienced drivers may focus on shifting gears, rather than traffic May inadvertently shift into wrong gear, cause engine and transmission damage Greater workload on driver in stop-and-go traffic Image from: http://www.pe.com/cars/content/cars/stories/cars0903stickingaround.144fc7f93.html Retrieved: 12/07/09

Series L “Automatic Safety Transmission” Did You Know? Up until General Motors offered an automatic transmission in 1938, all cars were shift-it-yourself, with manual transmissions. Car image from: http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/415659,15653/1938-Oldsmobile-Series-L_photo.aspx Ad image from: Retrieved: 12/03/09 1938 Oldsmobile Series L “Automatic Safety Transmission”