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Is the Manual Transmission Dying Out?
- Thread starter 3506string
- Start date
Yep. I drive in some of the worst traffic in the country and driving a stick has never been an issue. It becomes second natured after a point. My wife drives in the same traffic and it's a non-issue for her too. She had only driven automatics before she met me.
I love driving stick, regardless of where it is. Even on hills, I find it to be a good challenge of my finesse, which makes me more attentive and less likely to become bored of driving. It has never not been fun to me.
I think production will decrease severely. Hell, my dad couldn't even get the model of car he wanted in a manual.
It's a shame, IMO. I definitely prefer manuals. Last time I drove an automatic I hit the brake so hard (thinking it was the clutch) that the antilock breaks kicked in on dry pavement
It's a shame, IMO. I definitely prefer manuals. Last time I drove an automatic I hit the brake so hard (thinking it was the clutch) that the antilock breaks kicked in on dry pavement
Last time I drove an automatic I hit the brake so hard (thinking it was the clutch) that the antilock breaks kicked in on dry pavement
I did the exact same thing in my dads F150. I was coming up to my turn, so unconsciencously I go to disengage the clutch to upshift and caught 100% brake pedal. I locked the tires and skid a couple yards before I realized I was in an automatic. Scared the daylights out of me and a good laugh in the process. Good thing no one was behind me.
I did the exact same thing in my dads F150. I was coming up to my turn, so unconsciencously I go to disengage the clutch to upshift and caught 100% brake pedal. I locked the tires and skid a couple yards before I realized I was in an automatic. Scared the daylights out of me and a good laugh in the process. Good thing no one was behind me.
How hard do you guys hit the clutch?
You don't want to take your time with the clutch, it'll get worn down faster, but there's no reason to slam on it either, unless there's an emergency. You're only putting more stress on the pedal assembly, throwout bearing, etc.
How hard do you guys hit the clutch?
You don't want to take your time with the clutch, it'll get worn down faster, but there's no reason to slam on it either, unless there's an emergency. You're only putting more stress on the pedal assembly, throwout bearing, etc.
It's not so much that I slam it, just that one pushes the clutch (at leas in the car I drive) a lot harder and faster than the break, so when I push the break as though it were the clutch (especially since the break in the automatic was very sensitive and the clutch in the manual has to be pushed to the floor), it makes for one hard stop.
Definitely glad nobody was behind me aswell
I think when I started the shift sequence my muscle memory was telling my left foot to push the clutch to the floor as usual and if you push a brake even half the distance needed to disengage a clutch your applying quite a bit of pressure, in my case enough to lock the wheels.
I've been driving a stick every day for the past 25 years or so; I'm not sure about these new otto-matick transmission thingies, always shifting up and down, don't know what they're gonna do next...
I think manuals and automatics each have their place.
I like manuals in nearly all cars. I actually prefer them to the Ferrari-style shifting paddles, regardless of how fast that transmission can shift. I'm not a professional race car driver, I don't need to transmission to move between gears in 0.05 seconds and rev match for me. I've driven a few Porsches and Ferraris, with both configurations, and I just preferred the manuals.
Trucks, it's a different story. I like autos in gas trucks, for a few reasons. Current automatics, like the one in my Ram, allow me to select what gear I'm in, and gas engines aren't really effective at engine braking in higher gears. Also, torque converters act as torque multipliers at speeds below coupling, which is a serious advantage when towing up a hill from a stop, like towing a boat out of the water. Basically, with a gas engine, in a truck, manuals offer no functional advantage over automatics, and automatics actually have a few advantages.
With diesels, they have enough torque where torque multiplication isn't really needed, and they can have enough engine braking to really control heavy loads. If you're towing more than 4 or 5 tons, you really should be using a diesel, and a manual transmission with it.
Offroad, I prefer automatics. If it was a prerunner, maybe I'd go with a manual, but for most offroading, especially rock-crawling, an automatic is the way to go.
I like manuals in nearly all cars. I actually prefer them to the Ferrari-style shifting paddles, regardless of how fast that transmission can shift. I'm not a professional race car driver, I don't need to transmission to move between gears in 0.05 seconds and rev match for me. I've driven a few Porsches and Ferraris, with both configurations, and I just preferred the manuals.
Trucks, it's a different story. I like autos in gas trucks, for a few reasons. Current automatics, like the one in my Ram, allow me to select what gear I'm in, and gas engines aren't really effective at engine braking in higher gears. Also, torque converters act as torque multipliers at speeds below coupling, which is a serious advantage when towing up a hill from a stop, like towing a boat out of the water. Basically, with a gas engine, in a truck, manuals offer no functional advantage over automatics, and automatics actually have a few advantages.
With diesels, they have enough torque where torque multiplication isn't really needed, and they can have enough engine braking to really control heavy loads. If you're towing more than 4 or 5 tons, you really should be using a diesel, and a manual transmission with it.
Offroad, I prefer automatics. If it was a prerunner, maybe I'd go with a manual, but for most offroading, especially rock-crawling, an automatic is the way to go.
My dd is a stick, as is my 68 El Camino (only for nostalgic reasons). Other than that I'll take an auto any day over a stick. With a nice shift kit and a semi loose torque converter, there's no reason for me to need a stick. We've successfully gone high 6's in the quarter mile with an auto (powerglide) and were out 60 footing the stick cars. We finally found that 6.50's were the limit for a 'glide, and just recently switched to a Lenco.
I've always driven a stick, but my wife switched to an auto when she got her first van. So I also spend some time driving an auto. But I have done the same as mentioned previously - caught the edge of the brake pedal when trying to hit the clutch in the auto - what a rude jolt! When my current car passes on (95 Eagle Talon with performance upgrades), I'll probably be stuck with an auto. I don't mind the shifting in traffic either, but I never did upgrade to a pro street or racing clutch and I hear they get very tiring in traffic. But I just have the original stock clutch which is easy. Please note that I live in an area with high traffic congestion. The reason I may make the switch is availability and also I'm getting old (I'll be 60 next week).
Since 1985 I have purchased 7 new cars and every one has had a manual transmission....including a 4 door Ford Explorer I bought new in 2000 (that one took me a while to find). It is my one prerequisite for buying a new car. I can't imagine driving anything else. They are becoming increasingly harder to find however, and for many models, it's not even an option. A stick is WAY more fun to drive....
I've been around high performance driving a lot and used to double-clutch downshift for just about every stop. But I kept reflecting on Sir Stirling Moss's pithy but pertinent comment: "Brakes are cheaper than engines."
If you don't know Stirling Moss, you should - one of the top ten greatest race drivers in history: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Downshifting when you're in performance mode is desirable and helps maintain RPM in the power curve and balances the car's braking better. But when I'm NOT in a performance driving situation, I now simply shift to neutral while braking for stops. This is definitely easier on the clutch and creates less wear on the motor. It's not as much fun but it's easier on the car. Brake pads and shoes are easy for anyone to replace.
If you don't know Stirling Moss, you should - one of the top ten greatest race drivers in history: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Downshifting when you're in performance mode is desirable and helps maintain RPM in the power curve and balances the car's braking better. But when I'm NOT in a performance driving situation, I now simply shift to neutral while braking for stops. This is definitely easier on the clutch and creates less wear on the motor. It's not as much fun but it's easier on the car. Brake pads and shoes are easy for anyone to replace.
those who have total manual transmission with clutch, at what RPM do you shift up for everyday get to work driving?
I too wanted a manual tranny, but wanted something I could haul all my gear in and keep it safe from the weather. The HHR filled the bill, but I looked for 3 months to find one with a five speed. They are out there, just have to have patience. I just installed a TWM short shifter on this car, took about 2 hours and was very easy. The problem with the stock shifter is that it is cable controlled as opposed to direct linkage to the transmission, so shifting felt "remote". The TWM short shifter and weighted knob made a difference.
I have a Ram ceramic clutch in my 68 El Camino and it's more of a chore to drive than anything else, especially in traffic. The only reason I leave a stick in that car is nostalgic reasons, although I do have a T56 6 speed laying around that I may swap in. The shorter throw shifter and hydraulic clutch should make driving that car a breeze, and the extra gears may even help out gas mileage.
Couldn't agree more - driving is not an experience for me anymore, it's a way to get from point A to point B. Ten years ago I'd have told you I'd never own an automatic, but I suppose I finally had enough stoplight-to-stoplight traffic.
My 2005 Magnum is plenty of car for the money, I get decent mileage, and no more dancing around in the car, or hoping that the person behind me doesn't require brake lights to notice that I'm slowing down.
If and when I make the kind of money to have a "fun" car, I'll buy a stick. For my day-to-day driving, just let me put in "D" and go.
20 minutes?Hah,you gotta do that for 45+ mins. in Istanbul traffic at rush hour.At least manual allows me to maintain a healthy right-left leg mass balance.
I see those manual owners with the muscular right leg and tiny left leg,awkward...
