Manual transmissions and Seattle (law, parking, drive)

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by jenlion

Since we're talking about it, how come I have such a hard time doing it in an automatic? It's embarrassing. I have an 01 Honda Accord, and with just two adults and a toddler in it, it feels like I'm going to fly backwards down the hill and land in the water.

There's your problem right there ... all that weight in a small car plus the steep hills downtown mean that all that gravity is moving you downwards.

When was the last time you changed tires? I'd check to make sure the tread depth is deep enough (1/8 of an inch at the very least).

What I'd recommend doing is push the gas pedal slightly with the brake pressed as well. Then let off the brake slowly and slowly push down the gas pedal more. That should do it.


As for everyone else who calls going up hills with manuals a "suicide" mission? I've gone on multiple "suicide" missions and got out just fine . Seriously people, it just takes practice.

Easiest way to learn - do it out of necessity. I bought my stick shift after trading in my auto. I had to learn to get to work, and travel around.

[mikec34]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

There's your problem right there ... all that weight in a small car plus the steep hills downtown mean that all that gravity is moving you downwards.

When was the last time you changed tires? I'd check to make sure the tread depth is deep enough (1/8 of an inch at the very least).

What I'd recommend doing is push the gas pedal slightly with the brake pressed as well. Then let off the brake slowly and slowly push down the gas pedal more. That should do it.


As for everyone else who calls going up hills with manuals a "suicide" mission? I've gone on multiple "suicide" missions and got out just fine . Seriously people, it just takes practice.

Easiest way to learn - do it out of necessity. I bought my stick shift after trading in my auto. I had to learn to get to work, and travel around.

Yeah, I drove manual for six loooong years, but that wa sin phoenix. I'll take my automatic and press the gas and brake at the same time, over a manual in seattle.....

[MichaelinWA]

Yep. I know I can drive a manual in this area - I just want to or need to, fortunately. Especially now that I work in downtown Seattle and drive there from time to time.

Originally Posted by mikec34

Yeah, I drove manual for six loooong years, but that wa sin phoenix. I'll take my automatic and press the gas and brake at the same time, over a manual in seattle.....

[Botev1912]

I drive manual and don't have any problems. It is difficult when there is a stop sign on a hill but you get used to it

[Haakon]

Hills, even the hills downtown, aren't that difficult with a manual, you just have to practice and know what you're doing. Where a manual really becomes a pain is in all of the stop and go commute traffic. Getting moving on a hill without rolling backwards is easy compared to 30-60 minutes of clutch/brake/clutch/brake....

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by Haakon

Hills, even the hills downtown, aren't that difficult with a manual, you just have to practice and know what you're doing. Where a manual really becomes a pain is in all of the stop and go commute traffic. Getting moving on a hill without rolling backwards is easy compared to 30-60 minutes of clutch/brake/clutch/brake....

Amen! The only reason why I wouldn't get a stick shift. The reasons why I would outweigh the reasons why I don't though.

[W & C]

I switched to auto from manual here.

BTW, taking Pike street is the best way to avoid driving on those other steep hills when going up from the waterfront.

[kalohe]

Driving a manual in seattle isn't that bad!! You'll adapt -- just use the emergency brake/gas trick and you'll be a master in no time!

[mitsuturbo]

Driving with man. trans. isn't difficult in seattle. Sometimes ya just end up spinnin' some tires a little bit. It's better than rolling backward! My shtbox that i usually drive (daily driver) is a metro. Little sucker spins tires in the wet really easily. I use the parking brake a lot, too. My VR4, on the other hand.. is a different story. It's still not hard to drive, but since it's got a clutch that engages like a lightswitch, i sometimes have to be extra careful on hills.

[Aylalou]

There's a thread on this somewhere in the San Francisco forum. There, you can get a ticket if you don't turn your wheels the right way when parking. Don't know if it holds in Seattle.