Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
+1
While I haven't owned a manual shift car for quite a few years, back in the days when I did have cars with a manual transmission, I didn't have to look at the shifter.
On a side note... have you ever noticed how many people who have been driving the same automatic trans vehicle for many years... somehow... can't seem to figure out how to shift from P to D, or from D to R, or from D to P without staring intently at the shift lever? How is it possible to be so unfamiliar with the controls of one's own car that it is necessary to look at the automatic shift lever every time one needs to move the shift lever?
Even if these people don't possess any sense memory, aren't they aware that every modern vehicle has a read-out on the instrument panel indicating which gear they are in?
'tis a mystery...
I look every time. Because I have to? No.. But better to verify than wind up in drive when you meant to go in reverse.
Admittedly, the most likely failure would be to wind up in Neutral when you didn't intend to.. But I'd rather not do that, either.
I look every time. Because I have to? No.. But better to verify than wind up in drive when you meant to go in reverse.
Admittedly, the most likely failure would be to wind up in Neutral when you didn't intend to.. But I'd rather not do that, either.
If your car doesn't have a read-out on the instrument panel for the gear that you have selected, then--of course--it is reasonable to look at the shift lever. Are you sure that your car doesn't have this very typical feature?
One addition that I think manual transmissions could use, particularly 3-speeds, which have reverse where 1st is on most other 4-, 5-, or 6-speed transmissions, is a positive mechanical reverse lock-out, like the ring on those Hurst VW shifters.
LOL two of them actually do! But one is a ring you pull up, the other is a push down and up (which I need two hands for 99% of the time). The last one is your typical over and up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parnassia
Sometimes it isn't intentional. I rarely drive an automatic. There have been a few embarrassing moments when I was driving somewhere in one with a passenger, made a reflex grab for the shifter that didn't exist, and ended up clutching the thigh of the passenger instead. Surprised looks, apologies and explanations, and sheepish laughter usually followed. Everyone ends up looking silly at one time or another if they live long enough.
When I back up, especially in my driveway, I typically look over my right shoulder and put my hand on the passenger seat. Now and then I think, "self, you need to NOT make this a habit in case you are backing up with a passenger who is NOT your SO!"
If your car doesn't have a read-out on the instrument panel for the gear that you have selected, then--of course--it is reasonable to look at the shift lever. Are you sure that your car doesn't have this very typical feature?
Newest vehicle does, even with the shifter being on the floor... Mostly. It's just the letter in the display down at the bottom beside the mileage.
However, my first car, which was an 84 Escort.. Did not have it on the panel. Only the shifter on the floor, as did the second vehicle. I don't remember where the S-10 was.. The '05 Colorado was on the column, so it ONLY had the indication on the cluster.
But, on the newest, I find it simpler to look at the shifter itself. Even though for reverse I could just look at the entertainment display and see if it's showing me the reverse camera.
Newest vehicle does, even with the shifter being on the floor... Mostly. It's just the letter in the display down at the bottom beside the mileage.
However, my first car, which was an 84 Escort.. Did not have it on the panel. Only the shifter on the floor, as did the second vehicle. I don't remember where the S-10 was.. The '05 Colorado was on the column, so it ONLY had the indication on the cluster.
But, on the newest, I find it simpler to look at the shifter itself. Even though for reverse I could just look at the entertainment display and see if it's showing me the reverse camera.
Sure it's habit more than anything.
Funny thing is, all the old Fords I drove would click right down until you hit Drive. Then you had to push the button to get below that. So basically you push the button to release it from Park and just keep pulling the lever down until it stops. Unless you want to start in first or second gear.
Also funny because I've driving those small Transit Connects in the past few years and I can't remember what their shifters look like, except they were on the floor!
Basically the OP is saying, “since I don’t know how to drive a manual, then nobody should be able to”. I notice a lot of this type of attitude from a few people in this forum.
1. Turn off the radio and listen to the car talk to you. It's telling your speed, RPMs, and what gear to be in -- learn to understand it..
2. Look down the road and anticipate when and how you will need to change.
3. Play the gearbox like a piano. The lever is not a crowbar, you can shift with your index finger on the knob, and will take a lot of effort to grind it into the wrong gear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AliefNorth
Most new model cars don’t even have a manual tranny as an option anymore. This proves Manuals are unsafe and outdated tech
No it doesn't. What it proves is that greater corporate profits can be realized by offering more (or only) automatics to a manipulated market.
The only automatic I've ever owned was my first car...
Yes, manual can be a pain in traffic with certain cars, but as a whole, I find them much more rewarding/fun to drive.
It does take some practice when you're new to it. After some time, it will feel completely natural, and you can do it by feel/knowing the car.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
