Knowing How to Drive a Stick Shift, Decline in # of Stick Shifts, etc.

[McDreidel09]

*ahem* it takes maybe 3 seconds to change gears... it takes me longer to adjust the volume or the radio than it took me to shift...

Maybe for you, but it took me longer to react. Plus my dad told me to keep my hand on the gear, which I did not like.

[crazylegs]

Plus my dad told me to keep my hand on the gear, which I did not like.

That's an incorrect driving style. The only time your hand is on the gear lever is when you're changing gears - it's not a hand rest.

[McDreidel09]

I still will not drive stick. I will stick with my automatic.

I know lots of people who drive a stick with one hand on the gear, but oh well.

[HYHYBT]

Everyone I've seen drive Dad's old truck kept a hand on the gearshift because there was no armrest. Doesn't seem to have done it any harm; it's a 1977 (built in 76, and therefore can take leaded gasoline, if you ever find any), passed 100,000 miles somewhere around 1982, and though the odometer broke about then as well, it wasn't retired until 2005. Still operable, still the same trouble-free transmission. And learning to drive between that thing (a crew cab, extra long bed, with a camper top with uncleanable windows so you can't see out the back) and the 1972 Cadillac, I can park most anything But why shift when the car can do it, and usually knows what gear it needs better than I do anyway? Someone earlier said they didn't like the car telling them when to shift, but I see it as the other way around: I don't need to tell the car when to shift. I do wish, though, that they still put all the gears on the shifter in automatics. I didn't notice until I got to San Francisco that mine only has D, 2, and 1, with four forward gears. You can't make it stop at 3. My stepmom's does one worse: it's either Drive or first! Something to check out if you often drive in the mountains.

[crazylegs]

Everyone I've seen drive Dad's old truck kept a hand on the gearshift because there was no armrest.

Um - both hands should be on the steering wheel so you can control the vehicle effectively in an emergency. I really don't get why car makers put in armrests, because all it's doing is encouraging poor driving habits.

[protege]

But, then there are people like my grandmother...who simply *can't* hold the wheel "properly." She broke both shoulders in a deadly '94 auto accident. Some redneck asshole in a gravel truck rear-ended her '91 Olds sedan...sending it into the path of a logging truck coming the other way After a year of intense physical therapy, she was allowed to drive again. But, because of her injuries, really didn't like it. Even now, she can't raise her arms above her head

It was simply uncomfortable to drive long distances--by the time she'd arrive, her shoulders were hurting because of the driving position--she simply couldn't help relaxing her grip on the wheel a bit. That is, she would rest her arm on the armrest and gripped the lower portion of the wheel. It wasn't a big deal, since she was usually just going to church. Otherwise, she didn't drive much.

[blas87]

I really want to learn to drive a stick, if anything, just to know how.

Perhaps one day I will get a $200 junker to learn on, or my brother will have a junker to learn on. He hates automatic cars, his only automatic car has been an 85 Fiero.

[powerboy]

I would love to drive a stick again. The last one that I drove was a fork lift . Its the same, but not the same

[elsporko]

Um - both hands should be on the steering wheel so you can control the vehicle effectively in an emergency. I really don't get why car makers put in armrests, because all it's doing is encouraging poor driving habits.

Unless you're a horrible driver you don't need both hands on the wheel when you're driving on a straight stretch without interference from other drivers.

[smileyeagle1021]

Unless you're a horrible driver you don't need both hands on the wheel when you're driving on a straight stretch without interference from other drivers.

Not only that, but there are times you are in the vehicle that you aren't driving (waiting in drive thrus, sitting at stop lights, waiting at train crossings, parked waiting for someone, etc)... automakers know this and have designed the car to be versatile for as many situations as possible.

That and to answer the original question, for long distance travel I prefer either 9 and 3 or 8 and 4, both of which I can do with my elbows on the armrest, thus making the drive more comfortable (OK, so the reason I prefer those positions is because I can have my elbows on the armrest, but that doesn't change the point that both hands are safely on the wheel).

[Tanasi]

Growing up I drove a 1966 Chevy pickup. It had column shift or 3-on-the-tree it didn't have syncromesh so you had to double clutch it when gearing down. How many here have driven with such a transmission?

[Teysa]

It's been several years since I've driven one but I know how to drive a stick shift. I used to enjoy it. I think knowing how to drive a stick falls under the 'it can't hurt to know this' category.

[Arcade Man D]

Honestly, while I plan to learn how to drive stick, I will not own a stick-shift in this town. Too many stop signs/lights on hills.

[jackfaire]

Yes you should also know how to use an Abacus, how to make water bottles out of buffalo hide.

No you don't need to know how to drive a stick just so that you know how. If you want to drive a vehicle that is a stick yes you need to know if you have to for work yes you need to know but no that isn't a necessary bit of knowledge.

I do know how to drive a stick and personally I am not impressed in fact I find driving a stick to annoying. It's extra steps that don't do me much good.

Technology moves forward sometimes it's helpful to know older methods other times it's not it's all up to you.

[Nyoibo]

Yes you should also know how to use an Abacus, how to make water bottles out of buffalo hide.

Hey!

Yes, I can do those things.