For normal driving, try to keep the revs between (approximately) 2,000 and 3,300. Above that, shift to the next gear, below that, shift to the previous.

Shifting at various speeds may also be helpful initially. For example, start on first, of course, but shift to second arond 15mph, from that point on, shift to the gear with the same number as the speed. 3rd gear at 30mph, 4th at 40, 5th at 50, and 6th at 60.

While driving on the highway, at higher speeds and on the top gear, expects to be at that 3,000, or even higher, but that's ok.

The grinding happens because the clutch pedal isn't being depressed fully. Focus on that, and you should be OK, as long as your clutch release technique is fine, but you didn't mention that.

I would even suggest practicing your pedal work and shifting simultaneously with the car off, then with the engine running, but parked. That way you will notice if you're grinding the gears or not. Of course, while parked you won't be releasing the clutch unless you intentionally want to move. Also, above, above 2ng gear, if you release the clutch while parked you will just stall the engine.

Hope this helps.

You’re grinding gears not because you’re in the wrong gear, you’re grinding gears because you’re not rev matching.

You need to practice more on the balance of clutch release and gas given. Different for each car, you just learn how to find it faster as you become more experienced driving manual.

Generally you want to upshift when engine speed reaches a threshold. The threshold can move some depending on how fast you want to accelerate, but for most driving it's probably around 2500 rpm.

When you're ready to upshift, press in the clutch pedal and at the same time release the accelerator. It takes a little practice, but you want to time it so that you don't release the accelerator too early, which would jerk you back, or release it too late, which would make the engine rev high.

After the clutch is depressed, you should be able to easily shift out of the current gear and into the next gear, with no grinding or strong resistance. If you have either grinding or strong resistance, then either you didn't press the clutch pedal all the way, or the clutch is worn and needs to be replaced.

After engaging the next gear, gradually release the clutch pedal and apply the accelerator. Again, it takes a little practice to time it well so that it isn't jerky, but it doesn't take long to get the feel for it.

For downshifting, you probably want to downshift when engine speed is around 1200 rpm. The process is almost identical. Sometimes it can be more difficult to engage the lower gear, but it really shouldn't be. Again, grinding or resistance indicates either the clutch pedal isn't pressed all the way or the clutch is worn and needs to be replaced. When the new gear is engaged for a downshift, you should increase the engine speed up to about 2500 rpm before releasing the clutch, in order to get a smoother transition. Yet again, practice makes perfect.

Another possible reason for gear grinding is if the synchronizers in the transmission are worn. That would be bad, and indicate that the transmission needs to be repaired or replaced -- or treated with kid gloves for the rest of its life.

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When the RPM's get between 2.5 - 3.5 or so on the display; that's the sound and its time to press the clutch and shift up a gear.

• Down shifting is more nuance so until you're good and familiar with the sounds and associated speeds maybe just ease off gas, use brake, and/or put into neutral to stop or slow down. But essentially the process for down shifting is just the reverse as above.
• Just never attempt to adjust the gears without first pressing and holding down the clutch and, when shifting, ease off the clutch once in desired gear.
• Grinding the gears will eventually destroy the clutch, at which point your parent(s) may attempt to put you up for adoption or worse.

Listen to the sound of the engine, and look at how the sound relates to the rev gauge. You can do this while parked, with the car in neutral, so long as you’re on flat ground.

The car speed (or wheel speed) and the engine speed are linked by the gear, and detached by the clutch.

In order to avoid grinding the gears, you want the engine speed and car speed to match up for that gear.

Luckily, you don’t need to be perfect!

For example, let’s say you are in first gear, and you’ve gotten the car moving a little. Let’s say you’re driving at 20mph, and that your tachometer says you’re at (I’m guessing here) 6000rpm.

You push the clutch in and take your foot off the gas. The tachometer starts to fall. Try to get into 2nd gear before it falls all the way to idle. If you mess it up, and it drops, that’s fine. You’ll need to give a little gas to get the engine spinning (let’s say 2000rpm) and then come slowly off the clutch.

You’ll either hear the engine whine because it’s not spinning fast enough, or the car will lurch forward because the engine is going too fast.

If you are careful with the clutch, you’ll feel which way it wants to go, and you can adjust with the gas until they’re both happy. Then you can come fully off the clutch. you’re in 2nd gear.

Good luck

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