Anonymous
Post 02/07/2026 15:35     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
Anonymous wrote:It’s all about the friction point.

Take a manual car out to a flat parking lot. Practice only engaging first gear. Don’t use gas. Only brakes (and brake by pressing both the clutch pedal down and the brake pedal down). Do this until you are accustomed to the friction point. Once you have first gear down, the rest is easier. Use the gas pedal to rev the engine slightly higher to make it easier to get into the next gear. Tip: press gas pedal with big toe to be delicate with gas.

Practice a lot.


Yes break your clutch linkage.
Anonymous
Post 02/07/2026 15:33     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
Anonymous wrote:If the guy is a legitimate, skilled instructor who both actually knows how to drive a stick properly and impart that knowledge to others it seems like a good investment. If not it may just lead to the acquisition of bad habits and/or frustration.

I could “drive” a stick shift, but the one professional lesson I had in connection with driving a job vehicle was a huge eye opener. The instructor broke things down in a way I’d never experienced before and taught me about the “friction point” that is the essence of stick driving.

Getting a friend or neighbor to teach you is hit or miss. Like me before the employer lesson they may be able to “drive” a stick but may be doing so inefficiently or in a way that shortens the life of the essential components. Or they may have great technique but no idea how to teach someone else to reproduce it.


Why would it be a good investment? Seriously under 10% of new heavy-duty Class 8 trucks are manual transmissions. Only 1% of passengers cars are.

I learned how to drive on a manual and can drive double clutch or standard. There is absolutely no benefit to learning how to drive a manual transmission.
Anonymous
Post 02/03/2026 22:32     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
It seems that if you are ever planning to be a contestant on the Amazing Race, knowing how to drive a stick shift is essential.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2026 13:11     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
Anonymous wrote:Being from the UK I learned how to drive in a stick shift. I had been driving for about 4 years before I ever drove an automatic. I can never imagine a scenario when I would purchase a stick shift again. Don't miss them at all.


I think you are in the wrong thread. Who cares if you don't like it? That's not the topic.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2026 13:07     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
[quote=Anonymous]
You mean you enjoy the act of shifting? You can’t possibly enjoy driving a manual. It actually distracts you from the act of driving.
[/quote]

You obviously have no idea how to employ a manual transmission in the act of driving. And I've never once been "distracted" by shifting. Perhaps you, although you probably shouldn't be driving at all if so.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 12:25     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
It’s all about the friction point.

Take a manual car out to a flat parking lot. Practice only engaging first gear. Don’t use gas. Only brakes (and brake by pressing both the clutch pedal down and the brake pedal down). Do this until you are accustomed to the friction point. Once you have first gear down, the rest is easier. Use the gas pedal to rev the engine slightly higher to make it easier to get into the next gear. Tip: press gas pedal with big toe to be delicate with gas.

Practice a lot.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 09:59     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
Anonymous wrote:They seem to only be located in MD - we're in NoVA. Anyone had experience with this company? TIA.

https://www.stickshiftdrivingacademy.com/stick-shift-driving-lesson-near-me/id-985-maryland-silver-spring-20906


This is funny. just go out driving a few times and you'll figure it out. you don't need someone to show you how. Listen to the engine, it's pretty obvious when to shift. The how part just needs practice.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 18:41     Subject: Stick Shift Driving Academy reviews?
Avoid this place! The 'instructors' do not know what to do and have NO certification! They 'teach' coasting which is illegal and dangerous! What scrambled and nonsense 'instructions'. Find a certified person to teach. The 'instructor' taught a way to burn your clutch and destroy your gearbox. What they charge at $100/hr and the main telephone number on the website only gets a message as though the number is fake/bad. That is enough to run away!