In a manual transmission, the left-most pedal is used to disengage the engine from the wheels.

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Disengaging the engine from the wheels is done with the clutch pedal. In a manual transmission, the left-most pedal is the clutch, and pressing it temporarily disconnects the engine from the drivetrain so you can shift gears without stalling or grinding. Releasing the clutch re-engages the engine with the wheels, usually smoothly when coordinated with a touch of throttle. The accelerator controls engine speed, the brake slows or stops the vehicle, and the gear indicator shows which gear you’re in but it’s not a pedal.