The Basic Sequence: Before You Start the Engine

Driving a car follows the same sequence every time you get behind the wheel. Before the engine turns over, you adjust the seat so your feet reach the pedals comfortably, set the mirrors (rearview and both side mirrors), and fasten your seatbelt. These three steps take less than a minute and are non-negotiable — they determine whether you can see the road and whether you survive a collision.

Next, insert your key into the ignition or press the start button if your car has keyless ignition. Make sure the steering wheel is unlocked (it may lock when the engine is off). Check that the gear shift is in Park (P) on an automatic transmission or Neutral (N) on a manual. On a manual transmission, also depress the clutch pedal all the way down before turning the key — the engine will not start otherwise.

Turn the key or press the start button. The engine will crank and catch within a second or two. If it does not start after three attempts, wait thirty seconds and try again. Do not hold the key in the start position for more than ten seconds at a time — you can damage the starter motor.

Key Takeaways

  • Adjust your seat, mirrors, and seatbelt before you touch the ignition, because you cannot drive safely without them.
  • The gear shift must be in Park (automatic) or Neutral (manual) before the engine will start, and the clutch must be fully depressed on manual cars.
  • Release the parking brake, check your mirrors and blind spots, and signal before you move the car an inch.
  • Steering, braking, and acceleration all require smooth, gradual inputs — jerky movements cause loss of control and tire wear.
  • The sequence never changes: start, release parking brake, signal, check mirrors and blind spots, move into traffic, steer, brake, accelerate.

Releasing the Parking Brake and Moving Forward

Once the engine is running, release the parking brake. On most cars, this is a lever between the front seats or a pedal on the left side of the floor. Some newer cars have an electronic button. The brake light on your dashboard will turn off when the brake is fully released. If you forget to release it and try to drive, the car will move slowly and the brake will overheat.

Before you move, check your mirrors and look over your shoulder into your blind spot — the area behind and to the side that the mirrors do not show. Turn on your turn signal in the direction you want to go. Wait a full second for other drivers to see it. Then, and only then, move your foot from the brake to the accelerator.

On an automatic transmission, shift into Drive (D) by pressing the brake pedal, moving the gear shift down to D, and releasing the brake. On a manual transmission, depress the clutch fully, shift into First gear, and slowly release the clutch while gently pressing the accelerator. The car will begin to move. Do not rush the clutch release — if you release it too fast, the engine will stall.

Steering, Acceleration, and Maintaining Speed

Once the car is moving, steering is a matter of small, smooth inputs. Turn the steering wheel only as much as you need to change direction. Jerky steering causes the tires to lose grip and can make the car skid. If you are driving straight, keep both hands on the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions (or 10 and 2, depending on your comfort). This gives you the most control.

Acceleration should be gradual. Press the accelerator pedal slowly and steadily to increase speed. Do not stomp on it unless you are merging onto a highway and need to match traffic speed quickly. Most city driving happens at 25 to 35 miles per hour, and you reach that speed by pressing the accelerator gently for five to ten seconds, not by flooring it and then braking hard.

Once you reach the speed you want, ease off the accelerator until your foot is barely touching it. The car will maintain that speed with minimal throttle input. This is called cruising. On a manual transmission, shift into Second gear once the engine reaches about 2,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) — you will hear the engine note drop when you shift. Continue shifting up as the car accelerates: Third, Fourth, Fifth, depending on how many gears your car has.

Braking and Coming to a Stop

Braking is the reverse of acceleration: smooth and gradual. When you see a red light or an obstacle ahead, move your foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal and press it steadily. Do not slam on the brake unless it is an emergency — hard braking throws passengers forward, wears out the brake pads faster, and can cause the wheels to lock up on wet pavement.

As the car slows, press the brake pedal a little harder to bring it to a complete stop. You will feel the car come to rest. On an automatic transmission, the car will stay in Drive (D) while you are stopped, as long as you keep your foot on the brake. On a manual transmission, press the clutch pedal all the way down as the car slows to prevent the engine from stalling.

Once the car has stopped completely, shift into Park (P) on an automatic or Neutral (N) on a manual, and engage the parking brake. If you are stopped at a traffic light and expect to move again in a few seconds, you can leave the car in Drive with your foot on the brake. If you are parking, always shift into Park and set the parking brake — this prevents the car from rolling if the brakes fail.

Turning and Changing Lanes Safely

Turning requires a sequence: signal, check mirrors and blind spots, slow down, steer, and accelerate out of the turn. Signal at least three seconds before you turn so other drivers have time to see your intention. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder to make sure no other car is in your path. Slow the car by easing off the accelerator or gently pressing the brake.

Once you are turning, steer smoothly into the turn. Do not turn the wheel too sharply or too slowly. A sharp turn at high speed can cause the car to tip or skid. A slow turn at low speed is safe but looks uncertain to other drivers. Aim for a smooth arc that matches the road. As you exit the turn, straighten the wheel and accelerate gently back to your cruising speed.

Changing lanes follows the same pattern. Signal, check mirrors and blind spots, move into the lane, and accelerate or maintain speed. Never change lanes without signaling, and never assume a lane is clear just because you do not see a car in your mirror. Blind spots exist, and other drivers may be in them.

Parking and Shutting Down the Engine

Parking requires the same care as any other maneuver. Signal, check mirrors and blind spots, slow the car, and steer into the parking space. Aim for the center of the space. Once the car is positioned, press the brake to stop it completely. Shift into Park (automatic) or Neutral (manual), and engage the parking brake.

Turn off the engine by turning the key counterclockwise until it clicks, or by pressing the start button twice (once to turn off the engine, once to turn off all electrical systems). The dashboard lights will go dark. Remove the key or wait for the car to power down completely. Check that the parking brake is set and the gear shift is in Park before you leave the car.

If you are parking on a hill, turn the steering wheel toward the curb (uphill) so that if the car rolls, it will roll into the curb and stop, not into traffic. This is especially important on steep hills.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is jerky inputs — sudden steering, hard braking, or aggressive acceleration. These movements make the car harder to control and wear out the tires and brakes faster. Every input should be smooth and gradual. If you find yourself making jerky movements, you are probably driving too fast for the conditions or not paying attention far enough ahead.

Another common mistake is forgetting to signal. Signaling is not optional — it is how you tell other drivers what you are about to do. If you do not signal, other drivers cannot predict your movement, and collisions happen. Signal every time you turn or change lanes, even if you think the road is empty.

A third mistake is not checking blind spots. Mirrors show most of the road behind you, but they do not show the area directly beside and slightly behind the car. Before you change lanes or turn, look over your shoulder to see if another car is there. This takes one second and prevents most lane-change collisions.

Manual Transmission: The Extra Steps

If your car has a manual transmission, you must coordinate the clutch, gear shift, and accelerator. The clutch is a pedal on the left that disconnects the engine from the wheels. To shift gears, press the clutch all the way down, move the gear shift to the next gear, and slowly release the clutch while pressing the accelerator.

The timing matters. If you release the clutch too fast, the engine will stall. If you release it too slowly, the clutch will overheat and wear out. The goal is a smooth, coordinated motion: clutch down, shift, clutch up while accelerating. This takes practice, but after a few hours of driving, it becomes automatic.

When you come to a stop, press the clutch down as the car slows to prevent stalling. Once stopped, shift into Neutral or Park (if your car has a Park position for manual transmissions). If you are stopped for more than a few seconds, you can release the clutch and rest your leg.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the engine stalls while I am driving?

Stay calm and steer the car to the side of the road. Press the brake pedal firmly — the brakes will still work even though the engine is off, though they will require more pressure. Once the car has stopped, restart the engine and continue driving. On a manual transmission, stalling usually means you released the clutch too fast or shifted into the wrong gear.

How do I know when to shift gears on a manual transmission?

Shift when the engine reaches about 2,000 to 3,000 RPM. You will see the RPM gauge on the dashboard. As a rule of thumb, shift when the engine sounds like it is working hard but not screaming. In city driving, you will shift into Second or Third and stay there most of the time. On the highway, you will shift into Fourth or Fifth for cruising.

What is the correct following distance behind another car?

The three-second rule is a good guide: pick a fixed object ahead (a sign, a tree), and count the seconds between when the car in front passes it and when your car passes it. If it is three seconds or more, you are far enough back. In bad weather or heavy traffic, increase this to four or five seconds.

Should I use cruise control on the highway?

Cruise control is safe on long, straight highways with light traffic, but not in heavy traffic, rain, or snow. Cruise control maintains a set speed, so if traffic slows suddenly, you will not slow down automatically — you have to take over manually. On city streets, never use cruise control because you need to brake frequently.

What do I do if my brakes feel soft or spongy?

Soft brakes usually mean air in the brake lines or low brake fluid. Do not drive the car on the highway. Drive slowly to a mechanic or repair shop and have the brakes checked. Brake failure is dangerous and can cause a collision. If the brakes fail completely while you are driving, downshift to a lower gear (manual) or shift into Neutral (automatic), use the parking brake gently, and steer toward a safe place to stop.