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Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

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Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#31

Post by macintux »

UI_at_80x24 wrote: post #4

The article seems like a short fluff piece with the ultimate conclusion of: Why? It's easier. I've driven manual transmission vehicles for most of my adult life, my last 4 cars have been automatic. My wife isn't willing to learn how to drive one. The single thing I prefer about manual transmission vs automatic: direct throttle response If you tap the throttle, the vehicle responds to it. If you take your foot off the…

> The only place automatics are preferable is in stop & go traffic.

There are also some off-roading advantages, although in general it’s a mixed bag. You don’t want to shift while your clutch is underwater, for example, and from what I understand driving in sand is easier in an auto due the smoother shifts and corresponding lack of a loss in momentum.

Also, for extreme rock crawling, it’s helpful to have feet on both gas and brake, plus no burning up the clutch.

(I’m far from an expert, I don’t crawl rocks, and my primary Jeep is a stick, so this is primarily hearsay.)

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#32

Post by macintux »

falcolas wrote: post #27
nradov wrote: post #2

Each decade that passes, fewer people report knowing how to drive manual carburetor chokes.

In contrast with this example (and the other nested examples), manual transmissions are still broadly available in your new 2021 vehicle straight from the manufacturer.

Not in the U.S.

Miata, Wrangler, Mustang, and a handful of others, but they’re the exception rather than the rule.

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#33

Post by OldHand2018 »

falcolas wrote: post #27
nradov wrote: post #2

Each decade that passes, fewer people report knowing how to drive manual carburetor chokes.

In contrast with this example (and the other nested examples), manual transmissions are still broadly available in your new 2021 vehicle straight from the manufacturer.

In reality, manuals are barely available at all. Dealers rarely stock them, so you have to special order. And then the manufacturer forces you to either take “Option Package A” if you want the manual, or decides that you absolutely cannot have “Option Package B” if you choose the manual. All the choices go away once you’ve decided on a manual. It’s like they are offering them to make the magazine writers happy but doing their best to make sure nobody buys one.

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#34

Post by OldHand2018 »

eesmith wrote: post #20
hawkesnest wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Each decade that passes, fewer people report knowing how to drive manual ignition timing vehicles.

Each decade that passes, fewer people report knowing how to start an engine with a hand crank. I've seen my uncle do it. He said you don't grip it with your hand, else you might break your arm should the motor jerk the crank away. Never did it myself. Fewer people know how to use carbide lamps too.

Well if you’re ever in the Detroit area, stop by Ford’s Greenfield Village and they’ll happily give you rides in their Model T fleet. If you want to sit up front and ask questions, they’ll be glad to show you how to drive it (but not let you drive it - you need to get your own).

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#35

Post by macintux »

throwaway0a5e wrote: post #13

As long as there are markets where displacement is taxed there will be manual transmissions. A manual transmission lets YOU choose when to shift. That means you can keep the 1L engine that's pulling around your 5000lb barge up high near its peak power and get the performance you want. Contrast with an automatic transmission where you get the performance some engineer deems is an acceptable balance between what you wa…

I was unpleasantly surprised the first (and so far only) time I drove a stick with an indicator on the dash that would light when the computer thought it was time for me to shift.

I think I’d have to place electrical tape over those indicators.

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#36

Post by mixmastamyk »

doggodaddo78 wrote: post #17

Silly article, but it makes sense. I have an 85 VW Vanagon (Transporter) camper with a sloppy 4-spd that needs the shift fix kit installed. It's my security device.

Interesting, never thought of a manual transmission as a security device but I suppose it is a minor but growing hurdle.

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#37

Post by mixmastamyk »

yeezyseezy wrote: post #3

Modern electric cars don’t even have gears. I drive a manual because I enjoy it but I know I’m doing so anachronistically.

I recently read some have two gear ratios, one assigned to the motor in the front, another to the back.

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#38

Post by letitbeirie »

switch007 wrote: post #25

I hire cars a lot. I can count on one hand the autos that I’ve been satisfied with. I admit they get slightly better each year. They’re unpredictable, too eager to shift down even in torque-y engines, annoying going up hills where they’re too eager to shift up. The only time I really appreciate an automatic is in a big diesel car. Manuals are painful in heavy diesels, especially in start stop traffic.

I've driven a diesel tow truck with a manual before. It gets really tedious driving a manual when you redline at 3000 rpm and your final drive is geared to be able to pull a Honda out of a ditch.

Re: Each Decade That Passes, Fewer People Report Knowing How to Drive Stick Shifts

#39

Post by letitbeirie »

OldHand2018 wrote: post #34
eesmith wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Each decade that passes, fewer people report knowing how to start an engine with a hand crank. I've seen my uncle do it. He said you don't grip it with your hand, else you might break your arm should the motor jerk the crank away. Never did it myself. Fewer people know how to use carbide lamps too.

Well if you’re ever in the Detroit area, stop by Ford’s Greenfield Village and they’ll happily give you rides in their Model T fleet. If you want to sit up front and ask questions, they’ll be glad to show you how to drive it (but not let you drive it - you need to get your own).

Top Gear did a piece a while back on car controls and the Model T did not look easy or intuitive to drive.

It looked shockingly capable off-road though, which I guess makes sense if you think about what counted for a road in the 1910s.

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