Some cars (this is a car, right?) had them mounted on the right side of the steering column.

Don't let it bug you. Think of the millions of idiots that have driven stick shift over the years. We certainly know it is something you'll do as soon as you get the 'feel'. It is just a case of getting the 'knack', then it will become subconscious. That may easily be part of the issue now for you. You're trying too hard.

Are you having trouble finding neutral, or getting into 1st gear? If you are getting a lot of grinding it is most likely you're just not pressing the clutch completely in. That's the most common problem in the beginning.

You'll have it mastered in no time and wonder why it was ever an issue. Trust me. :nod:

Is the problem when you are taking off from rest, or is this when you are coming to a halt (as at traffic lights)? As PF says, it's simply a matter of practice and perseverence.

LOL PF you are showing your age I don't think they have built anything with 3 on the tree since the mid 70's.

That was the last time he had a valid license. You know they take your license away when you get too old to drive.

Yeah it's a car - that's what I thought you meant by tree, but I asked Wilderness who is handy with cars and he had no clue so I figured I was safer asking! :p

The problem is taking off from rest. Once I get going, I'm fine until I've stopped again! I spent a while in the deserted industrial park today just stopping and trying to start, but I didn't seem to be improving. :(

And Booger, my car is an '88 - not mid-70's, sure, but nearly as old as me!!!

I confess that it's been a while since I thought of manual transmissions, Mrs Oldfart only drives automatic cars and I can drive both, so we have autos.

The tree is the steering wheel post, but ignore that because you have a five on the floor.

In a car that old, there could be a number of underlying problems. Do any "manual" drivers have a problem with the car?

Yeah, it's not the perfect car to learn on... Wilderness's dad is a bit of a mechanic and he has no problem driving it, nor does Wilderness, but they've said that it's because they've both driven such a wide variety of cars that they're fine with it. Wild's dad likes making jokes on how my driving isn't helping the problems the car has. :p

I confess i hold a manual/auto licence.....but i havent driven a manual since i passed my driving test *L*
I learnt to drive in a valiant tree manual, i hated the damn tank, it was huge and not good to turn around in tight spots *L* Bilbo was not good to learn from lol (sorry hun)...so i ended up going through a driving school, they had a smaller easier manual to drive

My first car was a stick on floor. Easiest way I learned to take off was I'd go ahead and push the clutch all the way in, keep the engine revving and let up as slowly as possible. Not the best for the car, but it'll help you learn where the clutch starts to catch and how much gas to get it. Don't worry about red line or anything like that. It sounds like you're just having trouble controlling both feet at once.

Yeah, I do think that my problem is I'm letting up the clutch too quick.

If when you let up you get a lurch and then stall, that's it. As OF said, just keep doing it and the feel for how slow to leave off the clutch and how much accelerator to apply will become a natural non-thought. :thumb:

I confess that I thought that "If when you let up you get a lurch and then stall, " was the morning after the night before.

I confess I thought Lurch was your butler.

That would make him Gomez, and I guess you would Herman right PF?

Naaah! Herman is a Munster, not a panty-ster.