How to drive a 3-speed (manual transmission, pickup, engine, drivers)
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My grand-pa has a 65 Mustang 6-cyl 3-speed. I've been curious lately how does one drive a 3-speed. I've owned a 5-speed Jetta, and I've driven my sister's Focus with a 5-speed. Would things be very different when driving a car like that???
The shift points will be slightly different and there's no overdrive 5th gear. Otherwise, manipulating the shifter, clutch, and accelerator will be the same.
If it's a column shifter (three on the tree), I believe it was usually something like this:
Reverse: Toward you and up
1st: Toward you and down
2nd: Away from you and up
3rd: Away from you and down.
If it's on the floor, then the only difference between it and any other manual transmission that you would drive now is the number of gears.
driving a manual transmission is the same in any car, and any transmission. the only differences are the shift pattern depending on how many gear the transmission has, and where teh shifter is located, on the column or the floor. since the cars you have drivien are on the floor, and the mustang is on the floor, you have no issues there. the three speed has two fewer gears than the 5 speed does, and first gear is towards you and down. one more thing, since the mustang has the six, first gear will be unsychronized. that means that to shift into first gear you must either come to a full stop, or you must get good at matching engine speed to road speed or you will be grinding first gear a lot.
The gear ratios are much wider than a 5-spd, or 6-spd. You will have to ride each gear out a bit longer. Short shifting might leave you at too low of an RPM for the next gear to accelerate quickly.
basically it's like driving your 5-spd, but skipping 2nd and 4th.
The gear ratios are much wider than a 5-spd, or 6-spd. You will have to ride each gear out a bit longer. Short shifting might leave you at too low of an RPM for the next gear to accelerate quickly.
basically it's like driving your 5-spd, but skipping 2nd and 4th.
I remember back in the early 90's when my Mom borrowed my 5-Speed Ranger. She and a friend were driving to the mall when she noticed it wouldn't go over 40mph. That's when her friend told her she had two more gears. Being born in 41, to her three speeds are all you had. I think it would be hilarious if todays kids tried to drive a three on the tree! Can you imagine?
I remember back in the early 90's when my Mom borrowed my 5-Speed Ranger. She and a friend were driving to the mall when she noticed it wouldn't go over 40mph. That's when her friend told her she had two more gears. Being born in 41, to her three speeds are all you had. I think it would be hilarious if todays kids tried to drive a three on the tree! Can you imagine?
I learned on a three-on-the-tree and it is quite unique. I know a lot of people who are experienced manual transmission drivers who would find it hard to drive one of those at first. Just for reference, I'm 33 and most of the guys I put into that "experienced" bucket are in their late 20's and early 30's. So, you are absolutely correct. It's just not something remotely familiar to most younger people.
Learned on 3 on the tree and it was fun, alright. My dad was patient with me in his 59 chevy pickup. But, I am grateful as I have normally driven 5 speed Accords and Volvo. Unless I am stuck in stop and go traffic, a manual is more fun to drive.
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