Need a possible myth dispelled. Is it true
that if you keep your hand on the gear shift on a 5 speed it wrecks your gears? I love keeping my hand on the gear shift.
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NickyLee · 41-45
Unless you're applying some type of force to it, there is absolutely nothing that's going to become an issue as a result of resting your hand on the shifter.
Keep it up (if you still drive a stick) because it drives me crazy riding with a girl who does that or just drives a manual in general.
Keep it up (if you still drive a stick) because it drives me crazy riding with a girl who does that or just drives a manual in general.
TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 41-45, MVIP
drive it like you stole it!...
Virgo79 · 61-69, M
You can here all sorts of tails🤦♂️
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
No resting your hand on the gear shift does NOT wreck the gears or the synchronizing rings or the gear shift linkage or anything else. So long as the gears are fully engaged you could do a tap dance on the gear shift and do no harm. The person who told you that likely was concerned that you might disengage the gears without depressing the clutch except that even that does not harm the gears. I drive a standard transmission all the time and almost never use the clutch to shift the gears and have never wrecked any gears.
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
@hippyjoe1955 I do know that you can shift gears without using the clutch. Had a broken clutch plate once and had to get my car from work to home (20 Km’s). That was interesting.
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
Amusing story. A few years ago I was driving some of my crew to site. The truck was crowded and the fellow sitting beside me was an old truck driver. My cell phone rang so I answered it. However it is a handheld device so while I had one hand to steer I did not have another to shift the gears. The old truck driver put his hand on the gear shift so I took it as a sign that he would shift the gears. I talked on the phone and let off the gas when it was time to shift and the truck driver selected the gears. I didn't tell him when and he didn't give me any clues. We made it safe to our site and never ground a gear on the way.
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
My old bf and I used to do that in my car, I’d push in clutch and he’d shift. 😊@hippyjoe1955
toddr13 · 46-50, M
Resting your hand on the transmission can create excess wear on transmission components in a manual transmission. I was always taught never to hold the gear shift for that reason because subtle pressure causes problems with the shift fork, etc., basically accelerating wear.
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toddr13 · 46-50, M
@Jeephikelove Yes, your hand acts as a damper and when the transmission vibrates, the subtle forces do tend to cause wear. In a non-paddle manual, I tend to force myself to drive favoring the right hand to combat the temptation to want to rest my hand on the shifter. I drive with both hands, obviously, but have trained myself that the right hand is critical so it's second nature to shift and then go back to the wheel.
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
toddr13 · 46-50, M
@Jeephikelove It's actually a very good question, since it can contribute to premature wear, and is totally preventable by remembering to leave the shifter in gear. Some cars have tighter tolerances than others, so it may not be as damaging in the short term, but it can definitely cause a problem.
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
@Dolimyte Hahaha!!
Eddiesolds · 61-69, M
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
@Eddiesolds Oh of-course! I would never ride the clutch! Who would do that!?
Eddiesolds · 61-69, M
@Jeephikelove I see it at work all the time!Lol You have a wonderful day!
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
@Eddiesolds Thanks you too
SW-User
Wears the shift forks, leads not going into gear and engaging properly, leads to having to keep your hand on the shifter to avoid popping out of gear, leads to it popping out of gear and engine over revving. Leads to needing a new motor and transmission. I'd like an ls in my Jeep, maybe I should drive with my hand on the shifter
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
@SW-User I’ve stopped keeping my hand on the shifter.
Jeephikelove · 46-50, F
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout I was told a long, long time ago, may have been true on old cars. 🤷🏻♀️
TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 41-45, MVIP
myth... BUSTED
Virgo79 · 61-69, M
I'm pretty sure it's not going to hurt anything, even on a fragile modern car
Zoranna · F
Dispelled, that's crap. haha
SW-User
No that's not true
SW-User
Lolz.