Parents Not Letting Their Kids Learn Manual

[White & Nerdy]

I think that's kind of a jerk thing to say.

Once I got my license, my mother gave me a few simple MT lessons and cut me loose. My first few trips I embarrassed myself and held up traffic, but within a few days I was competent enough to not do either of those things and I'm sure you all know what I now think of automatics. I never learned how to do a proper racing downshift but with way the pedals are set up in my Sunbird it's probably not possible anyway.

As for the radio, that's why an old-fashioned radio with buttons, which you can learn to use with minimal attention, is better than a fussy screen that makes you dig through 50 trillion submenus just to change stations.

 

[Doog]

From an euro point of view this whole thread and discussion is surrealistic. 99% of cars are manual here and I dont understand why americans like automatics so much

Convenience.

 

[Harry6784]

I never learned how to do a proper racing downshift but with way the pedals are set up in my Sunbird it's probably not possible anyway.

As for the radio, that's why an old-fashioned radio with buttons, which you can learn to use with minimal attention, is better than a fussy screen that makes you dig through 50 trillion submenus just to change stations.

Yup

I tried to Heel-Toe, but the brake pedal in my car is too high

 

[White & Nerdy]

You've probably got it easy. My gas pedal is extremely narrow and extremely close to the brake pedal, but well back of it - so good luck even finding it with half your foot, let alone doing anything meaningful with it while braking, let alone doing it fast while braking.

 

[Tunerguy21]

My parents think its too complicated. But from my experience (in games), it seems extremely easy. You watch the revs, depress the clutch, shift to the next gear, undedpress the clutch, rinse and repeat. I would like to learn manual, but its the possible right now for me, because my parents' cars are both automatic.

This is the problem I have right now. My father said that he could teach me, but we don't have anything manual at the moment. I would've gotten an FC this weekend that I could've used to learn, but unfortunately the deal didn't go through, and its back to square one.

 

[McLaren]

As for the radio, that's why an old-fashioned radio with buttons, which you can learn to use with minimal attention, is better than a fussy screen that makes you dig through 50 trillion submenus just to change stations.

LOL, says the guy who's never actually had such a car with that technology.

Press Audio, switch modes/volume/channels from my steering wheel. Yep, I'm definitely digging through 50 million menus whilst you keep leaning across to turn a dial several times or thumb through your presets.

 

[White & Nerdy]

I don't even have to lean. Maybe my car is just cramped inside, but the radio controls are all easily reached.

 

[Slash]

From an euro point of view this whole thread and discussion is surrealistic. 99% of cars are manual here and I dont understand why americans like automatics so much

Because we are lazy and don't want to have to shift all the time. Even better when someone can drive for us.

I think it's funny that we still have manual ATV's. And those are disappearing fast too.

 

[McLaren]

I don't even have to lean. Maybe my car is just cramped inside, but the radio controls are all easily reached.

Missing the point. You're commenting on something you have no knowledge of but yet exaggerate to ridiculous levels bc you're still stuck in the 80s.

The whole radio/distraction comments on the last page are not strong arguments. Get adjusted to a manual quick enough (just like driving in general) & it's just as easy to get distracted using those devices as it is in an auto.

 

[Zenith]

Let's try not to turn this into another "H-Pattern Clutch and Stick Vs. The World" thread. We all know how those end...

 

[Slash]

It's arguably easier to learn with an auto. There's 1 less thing to do, and as said, it's the convenience factor that makes them so desirable. It's nice to know how to drive one, but most people couldn't care less about having one. A lot of people can't grasp the concept either. Take my father for example. He's been driving for many, many years. He can drive a 3 on the tree ok, can shift an ATV all day long, but give him an H shifter and you can forget about it. Certain layouts just don't work for people, and H shifters are arguably the most common type of manual.

Unless you've got a performance car of some kind with a manual, I think a lot of people think having a manual makes you look like your broke. An auto is the norm here, and almost works like social status symbol. If you don't have a manual, you are either:

A. Really cheap
B. Broke/can't afford an auto car
C. You own some kind of performance car.


Of course I can speak for everyone, but this is based on how I see things and I'm sure many people across the states would agree.


Not to mention, finding something halfway decent with a manual is becoming incredibly difficult.

 

[t3kc0h]

As my father said, "If you can drive a stick, you can drive virtually anything."

I learned on a '71 VW Super Beetle that had the factory clutch. With over 100k miles on it, it didn't go out. It's not that learners are bad drivers, they just have inadequate teachers that can't tell them to "let the clutch out slowly" when starting and changing gears. That is all. The picture shows my distractions. (A 5 speed and a transfer case) All which are like second nature to operate once you know how. It's not difficult to drive a stick at all. In fact, there are BENEFITS to doing so.

1. You have more control over your gas mileage.

2. Engine braking decreases wear on the brakes letting them last longer. (Going downhill or slowly slowing down coming into town.)

3. You don't have to worry about a computer going out or ATF.

4. You keep all feet active and don't get cramps from sitting still for hours.

5. You don't have to worry about a temperature sensor keeping you from shifting into your last (overdrive) gear. (As I noticed my father's truck does that on cold mornings.)

6. To get into motorsports, say, Top Fuel Dragsters in the NHRA. They have to very slowly release the clutch in their 2 geared, (forward and reverse) 10,000hp cars to get from point a, to point b, in a few seconds, and up to about 320 mph in that few seconds.

...Not to mention, finding something halfway decent with a manual is becoming incredibly difficult.

Yeah, that's where some fabrication, spare time, extra money, and fun comes from. Making the swap from Auto to Manual. You can have any engine, and any transmission in the world. And then just make mounting points, maybe cut here and there, modify motor mounts, pipe an exhaust, change the wiring harness, bam. Custom car with your own little touch.

 

[Joel]

As for the radio, that's why an old-fashioned radio with buttons, which you can learn to use with minimal attention, is better than a fussy screen that makes you dig through 50 trillion submenus just to change stations.

You mean one. One menu.

 

[buickgnx88]

I think it's funny that we still have manual ATV's. And those are disappearing fast too.

Fast enough where the only fully manual ones are the 2WD racing-style ATVs. There are a few clutchless-manual ATVs left, but they're usually the low-level models.

 

[Slash]

Yeah, that's where some fabrication, spare time, extra money, and fun comes from. Making the swap from Auto to Manual. You can have any engine, and any transmission in the world. And then just make mounting points, maybe cut here and there, modify motor mounts, pipe an exhaust, change the wiring harness, bam. Custom car with your own little touch.

Oh that's so me as well, but the thing is, if people have to go through that trouble for what they deem will be an inconvenience to them anyways in the end, that's not going to happen.

Fast enough where the only fully manual ones are the 2WD racing-style ATVs. There are a few clutchless-manual ATVs left, but they're usually the low-level models.

Yup, exactly. There have pretty much always been auto-clutch ATV's that still require manual shifting (see the old 185/200S Honda ATC three wheelers for example, but sport ones were also fully manual), but now most of the "luxury" ones are entirely automatic with "low" and "high" transmission speeds. The only things left fully manual are the sport and race ATV's. And hell, they are even starting to get rid of chain drive on them and go for shaft-driven differentials and 4WD. Even some of the sport ones have that now (see Polaris Scrambler 1000).

Short and to the point: People are lazy.

 

[MarionJ13]

It's their kid. Stop worrying about getting other people to follow your personal idea of morality and focus on your own business.

It's pretty telling that most of the commenters in this thread are not legal adults or self sufficient.

He asked, that's why we're answering... Discussions are what usually happen on forums. Also try not to come off so condescending. It's not a good look for you.

LOL, says the guy who's never actually had such a car with that technology.

Press Audio, switch modes/volume/channels from my steering wheel. Yep, I'm definitely digging through 50 million menus whilst you keep leaning across to turn a dial several times or thumb through your presets.

Myself, I hate all these new fangled touch screens they are putting in cars. Yes if you have buttons on the wheel that helps but I find when palming the wheel my fat hands run over and press the buttons sometimes. Very annoying. I prefer to have no buttons on my wheel.

As for the touch screens I find them very dangerous. Instead of being able to simply feel for the physical buttons to adjust volume/station/whatever with a touch screen you have to take your eyes off the road to see what you are pressing. I prefer the tactile buttons so you can memorize the shape and placement of your buttons and adjust whatever you like without even having to glance. I can adjust radio stations, volume, ac, heating, fan speeds, air control (direction), headlights, cruise control, wipers, washer fluid, turn signals, etc etc all without my eyes leaving the road. Yes I do have to lean forward a bit. I drive a boat and I'm a pretty small guy, but it's like doing situps. Good exercise!

As for the op. If my parents would have told me it was too complicated I would have taken offence. If it is because it is an older model car and they are worried about damage I would be more likely to understand. Driving manual is an essential skill that will help you learn how to better control your car. For example my buddy who drives an automatic was stuck in the snow. I told him put it in first then lightly press the throttle. Viola! He was out. He didn't even realize he could choose what gear he wanted to be in, nor what each one really did. Paraphrasing but "I figured 2nd and 3rd just meant go faster, like a speed limiter. You can only go so fast in first right?"

 

[t3kc0h]

Oh that's so me as well, but the thing is, if people have to go through that trouble for what they deem will be an inconvenience to them anyways in the end, that's not going to happen.

Well if you are willing to go through the trouble it's not going to be an inconvenience for you, now would it? It's just personal preference really. In my mind, replacing a clutch is easier than the whole transmission.

 

[Slash]

Well if you are willing to go through the trouble it's not going to be an inconvenience for you, now would it? It's just personal preference really. In my mind, replacing a clutch is easier than the whole transmission.

It's all down to the person. Depending on the vehicle, I would definitely go through it. Most people however, "ain't got time for dat".

 

[ProjectWHaT]

The only good manual car out there is probably the FRS/GT86/BRZ. Unless you're rich or something.

 

[Zenith]

He asked, that's why we're answering... Discussions are what usually happen on forums.

Yeah, and so did I.

Also try not to come off so condescending. It's not a good look for you.

Hmmmm no.

The only good manual car out there is probably the FRS/GT86/BRZ. Unless you're rich or something.

Um... No... Besides WRX Wagons, most cars from before the 2010's purchased for sport driving are better off stick.

 

[Slash]

The only good manual car out there is probably the FRS/GT86/BRZ. Unless you're rich or something.

There's plenty of good manuals out there. It depends on what you use them for.

 

[MarionJ13]

Yeah, and so did I.

You didn't ask anything. You told people off and made unwarranted generalized assumptions for stating their opinions when someone asked for their opinions...

 

[Grayfox]

The only time you wear the clutch is hill starts and starting, during normal driving very little wear is done.

 

[Harry6784]

LOL, says the guy who's never actually had such a car with that technology.

Press Audio, switch modes/volume/channels from my steering wheel. Yep, I'm definitely digging through 50 million menus whilst you keep leaning across to turn a dial several times or thumb through your presets.

If only there was a way of putting new radios in old cars....

 

[disneyland5]

I would like to know how to drive a manual but nobody I know has one. I imagine it would be distracting for most people. Having to worry about shifting all the time instead of focusing on the road.

 

[McLaren]

If only there was a way of putting new radios in old cars....

If only you understood that W&N is against having such technology.

 

[Zenith]

You didn't ask anything. You told people off and made unwarranted generalized assumptions for stating their opinions when someone asked for their opinions...

Yeah, and so did I.

*Sigh* Reading is hard. I never claimed to ask anything. Sherlock Holmes would be able to deduce this by the fact that I have not ended a single sentence with a question mark in this thread. I answered his request for opinions. My opinion is in the post that I made.

I also did not make unwarranted assumptions. Many posters here have made their age and living situation clear in previous posts.

 

[buickgnx88]

I would like to know how to drive a manual but nobody I know has one. I imagine it would be distracting for most people. Having to worry about shifting all the time instead of focusing on the road.

Nope, not distracting at all. It actually helps you focus on the road since you learn what gear is necessary for the speed and road conditions. Plus, you get to the point where you can just shift based on the sound of the revs.

 

[jimipitbull]

In Australia, if you do your license test in an automatic car, you get a restricted license. You are not allowed to drive a manual, unless you resit the driver test in a manual, to get a proper license.

I'd estimate 1 out of 20 people here have the automatic restricted licenses

 

[MedigoFlame]

In Australia, if you do your license test in an automatic car, you get a restricted license. You are not allowed to drive a manual, unless you resit the driver test in a manual, to get a proper license.

I'd estimate 1 out of 20 people here have the automatic restricted licenses

I remember hearing the possibility of that being part of the Maine license tests here. It hasn't happened, but would wonder how they'd enforce it upon people who already got their license before the change. (Not even sure it'll happen)