Community Chat

[Kachina624]

@icezeus    When driving in the mountains and going down a steep grade, I always shift my auto transmission into 2nd gear and let the engine slow the car rather than the brakes.  Saves wear and tear on the brakes. 

[Trinity11]

I doubt I would still be able but I learned on my boyfriend's Triumph back in the early 70's. I loved that 🚘 car.🥰

[Carolina925]

 My ex bought me a stick in the early 70s, which I had no clue how to drive. He taught me, very patiently, and I've preferred them ever since. My current car is very small and I love the control I have in speeding up when necessary. I was glad to hear they're making a comeback; when I bought this car, there was one on the lot with manual transmission so I took it home with me. I was at a hotel once where the parking lot for valet parking was a few blocks away. The guy went to get the car, was gone quite a while, finally returned and confessed that he couldn't drive a stick. We had to go get our own car which wasn't a big deal, only a few blocks away, but it was a large garage and we didn't know where the lot was or what level the car was on. We had a great laugh over that and tried not to let him see us laugh. Really felt sorry for the kid, he was very embarrassed.

[icezeus]

@Venezia @Kachina624 

I drive a Subaru Crosstrek SUV. I have never had to use it but there is actually a button for me to push called X Mode, that is supposed to handle rough terrain, hill decent etc. 

[riley1]

I learned on a stick - my VW bug - loved that car. It's been awhile since I've had a manual but I'm sure I could manage it again. To me it's all about where the clutch "grabs".

I know I'll never get stuck cause I can drive either.

[RedTop]

@Kachina624 

No, actually very few big rigs on the road today are manuals.  

Trucker daughters training in trucking school was on a manual; she was so at ease behind the wheel and handled the truck so well, the instructor was convinced she had driven rigs before.  He did not believe her when she said no, she'd never driven a big rig before.  

When she was hired by the company she drives for, her first few trips west were in a manual truck.  Shortly after, the lease was up on the trucks, and all the new ones were automatic transmissions.  I think trucker daughter is on her 3rd new truck now, and it is automatic as well.  Her choice would be a manual.   

I would need a step ladder to get into a big rig; I do not know how trucker daughter is able to lift her legs high enough to reach that first step, and then you need upper body strength to pull yourself in the truck from there!  She's a trooper for sure!  

[Venezia]

@riley1 - My first car was a VW bug and I loved my car as well!  I called her "Betsey Bug".  I sold her when I moved to England and made sure she went to a good home.  

120,000 on the clock when sold and 3 years later, my friend and her DH (the new owners) said she hadn't let them down once.  

[KathyM23]

@Witchy Woman   My DIL still has the first vehicle she bought.  It is a 1989 red manual shift Ford Ranger.  It looks worse for wear but her and DS still drive it once in awhile. 

My GD and GS learned to drive on it and probably are the few their age that can drive a stick and GD's first vehicle was a manual shift Bronco.

[On It]

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@Venezia wrote:

@icezeus - Sometimes on steep grades, you might want to control which gear it's in, rather than relying on the automatic transmission to do it.

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Especially helpful in snow. Just let the engine do the work going downhill. It keeps the car in better control than braking.

[chrystaltree]

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@Snowpuppy wrote:

Why would anyone WANT to drive a stick?

Fun and lots of fits & giggles. 😁

Yup...    and why do people think it's something to be proud of? Lol.  

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