The clutch and transmission will last for the life of the car IF you follow these instructions.

Keep in mind there is more to driving a stick shift than just going thru the gears. 

If the clutch starts slipping YOU will have to pay to replace it.

Please read and heed:

- Always push the clutch pedal all the way down firmly against the floor.

- Be gentle with the shifting. Don't ram it into gear. If you do it right it will go into gear very easily. Never, never ram it.

- It is not necessary to always use 1st gear.  In traffic, at stop signs, or anywhere except when starting out on an up-grade or going up hill, feel free to start out in second gear.  It is usually smoother, too.

- It is OK to skip gears, especially when you are trying to get going quickly, as in pulling into heavy or fast traffic. 1-3-5   is OK,  2-4-5 is OK,   2-4 is OK.

- Use the tachometer to be a better driver. Don't use 5th gear until 4th gear is above 2000 RPM.   It is OK to drive in 4th gear unless you are on the highway and the RPMs are over 2000 RPM .

- The engine is happiest from 1500 RPM to 2000 RPM.  Above 2000 RPM, use the next higher gear.  Never lug the engine by driving below 1500 RPM..  Down shift to a lower gear to keep it above 1500 RPM.   If you lug the engine you will ruin it.

- Be nice to the clutch.  Its modes are: (1) Pedal all the way to the floor, (disengaged).   (2) All the way up, engaged.   (3) part way up, slipping.

- Never, never, never race the engine while slipping the clutch. NEVER!!!

To start out, control the engine speed when slipping the clutch , and "play" with the gas pedal, keeping the RPMs a little above 1500 and a little below 1500.  Never above 2000 RPM.   Slipping the clutch for more than 3 seconds is never necessary. Doing so will ruin it.

- If you stop for longer than it takes for the stop light to turn green, put the shift into neutral and get off the clutch pedal.  The throwout bearing in the clutch is intended for "seconds" not "minutes". 

- If you try to shift into 1st gear and it doesn't want to go into gear, make sure the clutch pedal is pushed all the way to the floor,  put the shifter into 2nd gear, and then into 1st gear.  That lets the gears mesh easily. Never never ram it.

　

You will find your stick-shift car to be a real pleasure to drive..

The clutch starts to engage down close to the floor, which makes it easy for you to start out very smoothly.  Make every shift as smooth as you can, but remember to never slip the clutch for more than 3 seconds, and do not rev up the engine while slipping the clutch.

A smooth stick-shift driver is impressive to his/her passengers and everyone around them.

Remember to watch the tach and keep the RPMs in the 1500 to 2000 range, except when on the highway in 5th gear or when idling.

Be the smoothest stick-shift driver your friends and relatives have ever seen.