Final answer:
When shifting gears in a manual vehicle, you only need to press the clutch pedal down to shift gears, which requires a small foot movement. Coordinating the clutch engagement with the gear shifter allows for smooth gear changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When shifting gears in a manual transmission vehicle, your foot only needs to move up or down a very short distance to engage the clutch before changing gears.
The process of shifting gears is a crucial aspect of driving a manual vehicle and requires coordination between the clutch pedal, which your left foot operates, and the gear shifter, which your right hand controls.
You need to press the clutch pedal all the way down to disengage the engine from the transmission so you can change gears without grinding them. Once the gear is selected, you should smoothly release the clutch pedal while simultaneously applying power with the accelerator to engage the gears properly.