If You Can't Drive a Stick Shift Transmission

[IdaCat]

My first experiences driving as a kid were in automatics. My first car was a manual and I figured it out myself drawing on experience from riding a 5 speed street bike for 2 years prior with a hardship license.

I'm currently driving a manual 4WD Xterra and an automatic Jeep. My wife drives a new automatic Toyota Highlander and lets me drive it if I'm a good boy and want to.

 

[ukalum_rivals311718]

I bought my first car last year that was not a stick. I have been buying cars since 1965, mostly Honda Preludes. The only issue with sticks is starting and stopping on hills without slipping the clutch.

If you think hills can be tricky with a stick shift, try starting and stopping with a motorcycle.

 

[jameslee32]

I bought my first car last year that was not a stick. I have been buying cars since 1965, mostly Honda Preludes. The only issue with sticks is starting and stopping on hills without slipping the clutch.

If you think hills can be tricky with a stick shift, try starting and stopping with a motorcycle.

Which Preludes did/do you own? I have a Red '83 badly needing the dual carbs restored and some engine TLC. Very little rust with a decent interior and 142k miles.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

I bought my first car last year that was not a stick. I have been buying cars since 1965, mostly Honda Preludes. The only issue with sticks is starting and stopping on hills without slipping the clutch.

If you think hills can be tricky with a stick shift, try starting and stopping with a motorcycle.

Or a tractor trailer.

 

[kevcat]

Identify yourself and reveal your shame to The Paddock.

I actually learned how to drive using a stick shift.

Of course, I haven’t driven a stick shift now in ten years, but I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a problem.

 

[Xception]

I had a manual for 15 years but wouldn’t buy one again. Unfortunately I missed the opportunity to lord that skill over lessers, didn’t know I could.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Every car I’ve ever purchased has been a manual, but I won’t begrudge anyone who prefers an automatic.

Unfortunately for me, manuals are quickly becoming a rare breed. One thing I will say, which I believe someone else already mentioned, I believe we’d have a lot fewer idiots trying to use use their smartphones while driving if most cars were still manuals (could be wrong though).

I get automatics make driving easier for people. But sometimes making things easier can also make things worse.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

For the manual drivers they at least have manual shift mode in a lot of the automatic transmissions in many vehicles. We have them in both of our SUVs. I have probably tried it once. It's not the same, but it at least will let you feel like you are driving a manual. Just need a dummy clutch pedal added. [laughing]

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

My father-in-law, who at that time was merely my girlfriend’s dad, bought a BMW Z3 that was MT. He asked me if I wanted to drive it. I said “of course”. He asked if I knew how to drive stick. I said “of course”. One of those answers was a lie. Once I got it figured out I had a blast though. Screaming through Western KY backroads on a beautiful June day with my girlfriend was worth the potential damage to somebody else’s car. Ha!

 

[ukalum_rivals311718]

Which Preludes did/do you own? I have a Red '83 badly needing the dual carbs restored and some engine TLC. Very little rust with a decent interior and 142k miles.

I owned Preludes from 1987 until they stopped making them in 2000. I hate that Honda discontinued that car for the short lived S-2000. Otherwise, I would still be buying them. My favorite was the 1991 four wheel steering model. At slow speeds, you could get into/out of tight spaces easily, and at high speed you could lane change in an instant.

I finally sold the 2000 last year after driving it for 19 years. I guess I got the new car bug.

 

[DSmith21]

My first car after college in the 1990's was a manual transmission. It was fun but the shifting was a pain in heavy traffic. I probably wouldn't buy another as automatics have become so much better than they used to be. Today many cars have different options where you can select when you want the automatic to shift (sport mode vs. regular, etc.). The resale on an auto is also better than on a stick.

 

[jameslee32]

I owned Preludes from 1987 until they stopped making them in 2000. I hate that Honda discontinued that car for the short lived S-2000. Otherwise, I would still be buying them. My favorite was the 1991 four wheel steering model. At slow speeds, you could get into/out of tight spaces easily, and at high speed you could lane change in an instant.

I finally sold the 2000 last year after driving it for 19 years. I guess I got the new car bug.

I have driven '80 and '87 Preludes. Also a 2001 S-2000 owned by a co-worker. The latter was in a different league as far as power but all of them handled great. Mine doesn't even have power steering. The common thread is the Honda shifter. A joy to drive. Smooth and short between gears.​

 

[drawing_dead]

79 Corolla 4cyl/5 speed
Dad parked me on the neighbor's driveway, with quite a slope and nothing to stop the car from careening down the hill to the trees if i could not take off on that hill. scared but motivated i would say was my mindset!

used to drive an old toyota 5 speed at work and i rarely used the clutch when shifting. must have robust synchronizers!!! same thing for a lot of class 8 truck drivers back in the day; from double-clutching to no-clutch to automatics today. so when you see a truck driver, do not assume they can drive a stick either!

seriously, there are people who CANNOT drive a stick or "straight-gear" as some would call it? who did not grow up riding dirt bikes and 4-wheelers??? once you learn to slip the clutch as little as possible and simply let go of the pedal/handle, voila! do not get me started about downshifting/engine braking and completely unrequired shifting. someone should teach a class or something...

 

[TCurtis75_rivals88839]

I can not drive a standard transmission and I don't feel bad about it all. I have no desire to learn nor do I have any desire to ever have to drive one. I couldn't care less about it either.

 

[funKYcat75]

seriously, there are people who CANNOT drive a stick or "straight-gear" as some would call it?

Yes. Why would there not be? Automatic transmission has been around since the 1940s.

 

[RacerX.ksr]

I drive a 6 speed mt when I'm driving my car. I don't use all 6 most of the time though. Taking off I usually go 1,2,3,6. Sometimes if I'm feeling rowdy I'll do 1,2,6. I rev match sometimes when I'm driving hard but for the most part I use the brakes to slow down because they are cheaper than clutches and much easier to replace.

My wife's car has a 6 speed auto with paddle shifters. It rev matches automatically on downshifts which is pretty cool if you're driving hard enough that it matters.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

who did not grow up riding dirt bikes and 4-wheelers???

Answer: Literally everybody who grew up in the suburbs or city.

I played football on a team out in "the country" and every time I stayed at their house we road 4-wheelers, shot shot-guns, and watched the playboy channel on their satellite dish since there was no cable service. This was when we were twelve, btw. Basically some of the greatest weekends of my life.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

For the manual drivers they at least have manual shift mode in a lot of the automatic transmissions in many vehicles. We have them in both of our SUVs. I have probably tried it once. It's not the same, but it at least will let you feel like you are driving a manual. Just need a dummy clutch pedal added. [laughing]

Problem is not all AT with manual modes are created equal. Many have significant delays between when you pull the paddle and when it actually shifts. And many won’t permanently hold the gear you select. So you could downshift to get the revs up, but after a few seconds it may automatically shift back up to a higher gear.

Now there are some that are very good, but even for those that shift fast and give you total control over the gear selection, it’s still not the same. At least not if you’re someone who’s into driving for driving’s sake.

An anolgy might be recording drums. One option would be to sit down and actually play a set into some microphones. Another option would be to get some recording software that has a bunch of pre-recorded loops. Both options can get you a similar result for basic drumming, but software is not nearly as engaging if you enjoy playing the drums. In one situation you’re simply clicking a mouse, while in the other, you’re having to coordinate the actions of all four limbs.

It’s the same with driving a stick if you’re into driving. It’s a much more satisfying and engaging experience to slow for a corner and use both arms and both legs to execute a couple of heel toe downshifts. With an automatic, even a good one, you’re just clicking buttons.

Unfortunately, it seems like manuals are doomed for extinction.

 

[Bill Cosby]

You all are going to be really disappointed in a decade when the cars drive themselves and insurance on your antique human controlled manual transmission vehicles shoots through the roof.

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

Self driving cars.....idk, I just get the feeling they’re much further off than people think. A very long time. I mean, the amount of subsidization it would take to get those in the hands of middle class and poor folk will be astronomical. And that’s just the start. What happens when John Q. Poors has a supercomputer automated widget adapter break and it’s going to take $4000 to fix it? “Uhhhh, **** that”.

Severely underestimating how many sub-$5000 cars are running around out there.

Then.....the freedom issue @Bill Cosby .....who exactly do you think is going to be regulating these glorious self driving cars? You know who. You want to do 65 in a 55? Fraid not, Bucko. What if there’s too much smog at 5pm in your city and AOC decides rolling blackouts of cars to reduce emissions?

Idk....the majority of Americans, rich and poor, love the freedom of the automobile and I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon.

 

[drawing_dead]

self-driving cars will NOT be in widespread use until the local governments figure out how to replace the revenue lost to traffic citations and the court costs. then again, do we need so many police if there are NO traffic laws being broken?

how does this impact the insurance industry? seems it would bankrupt them, no?

anyway, drive whatever blows yer skirt up like you stole it!

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

I love the freedom of driving the car, but I'd also love being asleep at the wheel when I drive to work every morning.

 

[kyboy1998_rivals34276]

I can not drive a standard transmission and I don't feel bad about it all. I have no desire to learn nor do I have any desire to ever have to drive one. I couldn't care less about it either.

Somebody is awfully defensive over being a sissy who can’t drive a clutch.

 

[TCurtis75_rivals88839]

Somebody is awfully defensive over being a sissy who can’t drive a clutch.

Not defensive in the least. I just have no desire to drive a clutch. I will never own one so it makes no difference to me in he least. Sissy is so creative. Kudos to you for that amazing insult.[eyeroll][eyeroll][eyeroll]

 

[Chuckinden]

The last time I drove a stick, my girlfriend was sitting on it.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

The last time I drove a stick, my girlfriend was sitting on it.

Whose stick was it?

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

Ahhhh the ole 3 on the tree, 1969 powder blue Chevy truck....good times.

Would yours stick in gear sometimes? My dad had a 74 Chevy with a 3 on the tree and it would stick in gear from time to time. The first time it did it on me I didn't know what to do and had to drive home in 2nd gear. My dad thought it was hilarious but showed me how to get it out of gear if it ever done it again....which it did.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

I have owned 4 or 5 stick shift cars over the years. I also drove a dump truck for a while several years ago so I guess that counts too.

 

[TexasTimCat]

My current car is an 8 speed AT. But I have owned MT's all of my driving life.

I have a Ram 2500 Hemi 4x4 with 6 speed MT - love driving it.

Made sure both all of my kids and my wife learned as well.

Agree they will eventually go pretty much extinct excepting some sports cars and heavy duty trucks.

 

[Monroe Claxton]

Can’t drive a stick. Can drive a car without air, without a CD player, and without automatic windows, but not a stick

 

[OldEvilleCat]

Would yours stick in gear sometimes?

Not that I recall...doesn't mean it didn't. 1st to 2nd was rough, but 2nd to 3rd was sweet....1 finger down.

 

[drawing_dead]

three on the tree is the only way you off-road while driving a manual while also drinking a beer!

pro tip: only cans when off-roading driving a manual while drinking a beer!!!

 

[kritikalcat]

I have never owned a manual transmission car. I've driven a manual like 3 times in my life. I suck at it.

Why do I need to feel shame for not having this skill? It's something I don't need to know. Less than 3% of cars sold in the USA are stick shift, and I'll never own one.

80% of all cars sold in Europe and Japan have manual transmissions. Our oldest 3 boys learned on a stick. Third balked and I told him this. He didn't care

 

[RacerX.ksr]

three on the tree is the only way you off-road while driving a manual while also drinking a beer!

pro tip: only cans when off-roading driving a manual while drinking a beer!!!

I would recommend you get an off-roading helmet.

 

[jameslee32]

 

[Nubb16]

People who drive standards are the same that back into parking spots.

 

[Robcatt24]

You ain't lived until you drive a stick shift around a curvy 2 lane back road while eating a Big Mac and large fries and sucking down a coke.

 

[awf]

Way back I drove a dump truck.....it was a 16' tri-axle...with a 4 x 4 transmission.....the second gear box is/was shifted without the clutch.....it takes a minute to learn to listen to the engine so you knew when to shift.......not as hard as it sounds.......I made a lot of money when I drove......just too much down time......it was a good job.....when you worked......

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

I to learned at 13 with 3 on the tree in a long bed Ford pickup. I’ve never owned an auto. I loved the story a couple of years ago when 2 guys robbed a place and hijacked a car only to discover neither could drive it because it was a manual. It will be a lost and forgotten skill in another generation. I would guess 99+ percent of Americans don’t even know what heel and toe means. At least I don’t have to worry about anyone stealing my C5 Z06.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

Bought a 2001 Subaru H6 wagon with AT. That sucked and I finally converted to MT transmision. Took some patience and work, but she's a beast now. I hate AT.