Stick hard to learn?
This kinda goes with my new car thread, but I figured I could just make a seperate one for it. Are stick shifts(5 speeds) hard to learn to drive? All the mustangs I'm looking at are 5 speeds, and I really want a 5 speed....but I have no clue how to drive one, my dad said he could teach me, but from your guys personal experience are they hard to learn how to drive well?
Re: Stick hard to learn?
Originally Posted by bthizle1
You REALLY can drive a car without knowing how to handle manual transmission? God, what a country...
No, it isnt hard, I can handle them with both hands even. The continental way and the english way.
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Pie is merely the power of the state intruding into the private lives of the working class. - Beirut
Re: Stick hard to learn?
it isn´t hard and i find it one of the most fun things to control in a car...
it allways confused me how you guys can get a license without knowing how to do it
"If given the choice to be the shepherd or the sheep... be the wolf"
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Re: Stick hard to learn?
They give you a licence for a manual but let you take your test in an automatic? Weird.
Anyway, my wife drove an automatic for a long while and had to switch back to a manual when we got a new car. She had taken her test in a manual but she was gear-crunchin clutch-smoking rusty. What we did was book an hours lesson in a manual car for her. (or you could maybe hire a manual for the day. Set some other sucker's clutch on fire before trashing your nice new car...)
Seriously, its not that hard, and you just need to get out and practice, but the first few hours will be a bit tricky. Avoid busy roads. If your dad shows you stuff like balancing on the clutch and accelerator as you come uphill to an intersection it would speed you along. But basically all you need is hours behind the wheel.
The good news is manuals are much more fun to drive. In fact I'd say they are easier to drive well than an automatic, since you have more control over the car IMHO.
"The only thing I've gotten out of this thread is that Navaros is claiming that Satan gave Man meat. Awesome." Gorebag
Re: Stick hard to learn?
can someone from America tell me are all your cars basicly Automatics?
"A lamb goes to the slaughter but a man, he knows when to walk away."
Re: Stick hard to learn?
over here in the uk automatc cars arent very common,
we all use manual "stick as youd say"
its not difficult But some may find it a lot to deal with,
expeshialy when making an emergency stop.
But its not dificult,
Realy its just a matter of finding the biting point of the clutch,
becous you dont have 3 feet you cant be on break throttle and clutch same time,
so u use the clutches biting point to hold tha car in place "stops it rolling" put the car in gear
gently give it some throttle and slowly let the clutch out.
If you stall "car splutters to a hault"
You may be in the wrong gear or simply didnt give it enough throttle,
remember to change gear before the car starts screaming at you.
cluch goes in change gear clutch comes out,
When aproaching a junctioon you can change down more than 1 gear at a time.
I.e
You were in 5th, Your slowing down to a junction,
Whilst slowing down you put the clutch in
change gear to 3rd Missing out 4th,
and when you get to the junction your already in the correct gear,
or you change down some miore.
Its just a matter of practice.
and most imposrtaint thing to do Is find out where the biting point is.
"it changes with difrent cars and with wear n tair on the clutch,
You can feel the difrence with the peddal,
Just go practice.
Last edited by Shambles; 04-23-2005 at 22:01.
Re: Stick hard to learn?
Well most of the cars sold in the USA are automatics, manuals account for a large part of cars sold and aren't losing market share to the autos.
Also, our driver's licenses are one kind only, i.e. they don't say if you can drive a manual. So, you could get your license while driving an auto, and later drive a stick for the first time in your life totally legally.
Learning for me wasn't very hard at all. It's easy to get the basics, and from then on its just a matter of practicing to refine your skills. I learned to drive a motorcycle before a stick, so that probably made it easier.
And manuals are a lot more fun to drive.
Crazed Rabbit
Ja Mata, Tosa.
The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown. It may be frail; its roof may shake; the wind may blow through it; the storm may enter; the rain may enter; but the King of England cannot enter – all his force dares not cross the threshold of the ruined tenement! - William Pitt the Elder
Re: Stick hard to learn?
but from your guys personal experience are they hard to learn how to drive well?
As long as you have two legs that work it isn't that hard to learn , practice , especially on hills . Manual transmission is less problematic than auto , it gives you more control especially in bad weather , and you generally get lower fuel consumption .
As an added bonus , if you decide to travel the world you find that many counrties will absolutely rip you off if you want to hire an Automatic .
Re: Stick hard to learn?
ye my dads car is an automatic. I think manuels are probably more fun though. Im guesing as im a bit to young to drive yet.
"A lamb goes to the slaughter but a man, he knows when to walk away."
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