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joanne1966 · 56-60, T
ArishMell · 70-79, M
I would think the majority of cars used in the UK have manual transmissions (we don't call them "stick shifts" though); although very many motorists do opt for the automatic versions.
When I was at work, the request forms for booking a hire-car for official trips asked for your choice: Manual or Automatic?.
Part of the preference for manual is for its better fuel economy (assuming like-for-like in the driving). That certainly was true in the past, but I don't know if it still applies.
Some motorists prefer to feel being in greater control, or having more skill, if the car has a manual gearbox; but those are of course highly subjective motives.
Still others would point to there being enough to go wrong in a modern car as it is, without adding the greater and needless complexity of an automatic gearbox.
When I was at work, the request forms for booking a hire-car for official trips asked for your choice: Manual or Automatic?.
Part of the preference for manual is for its better fuel economy (assuming like-for-like in the driving). That certainly was true in the past, but I don't know if it still applies.
Some motorists prefer to feel being in greater control, or having more skill, if the car has a manual gearbox; but those are of course highly subjective motives.
Still others would point to there being enough to go wrong in a modern car as it is, without adding the greater and needless complexity of an automatic gearbox.
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hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
@wildbill83 Not sure how accurate your depiction of the modern car and truck is anymore. Yes the vehicles have much smaller engines and most are turbocharged or twin turbo charged. However my truck has a 165 cubic inch engine with 400 ft lbs of torque. Yes it down shifts on steep hills but only because it would otherwise lug the engine. The engine is only turning 1600 rpm when I am doing 70 mph. Even an 11% grade only takes the engine to 2100 rpm. The only problem is going downhill and relying on engine braking to keep it at the speed limit. Then it will be in a much lower gear and the engine revving at 3500 rpm. I almost never use the engine brake feature.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@hippyjoe1955 I have ridden in modern automatics. (I did own an automatic for a time, but that was some 30 years ago, and it was over 10 years old then). I must admit with the modern cars, you can tell when they change gear but mainly by engine note, as it is such a smooth process.
wildbill83 · 36-40, M
@hippyjoe1955 the problem with automatic trucks (and by trucks, I mean med-heavy duty, not pickups) is that they're extremely prone to overheating on steep grades, especially on stops/start on a hill. After two or three times, they usually go into limp mode...
torque converters just can't handle initial torque as well as clutch
torque converters just can't handle initial torque as well as clutch
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
Elizabeth28 · TVIP
@sarabee1995 milenial anti theft device
Elizabeth28 · TVIP
@sarabee1995 well my advice to you dont drive one youll burn out the clutch.....
goliathtree · 56-60, M
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Elizabeth28 · TVIP
@JAYS21 or a triplex mack 2 stick
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ancientmariner · 61-69, M
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
TheFlippantSide · F
Yes, my first car had a manual transmission. I taught a couple other people how to drive one, as well.
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
No but I can drive a car or a truck or a tractor with one. I can even drive a car with a 'three on the tree' shift.
MySecretIdentity1 · 46-50, M
It's been a very long time. I learned on a '72 VW But in a church parking lot.
Platinum · M
Passed my test in a manual ...drove them for years but had autos for twenty ears at least....
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
Three or four on the tree. four , five or six on the floor. and no syncro double clutch.
SW-User
Most people in England do. Automatics are the minority.
REMsleep · 41-45, F
@SW-User Still?? Its getting fairly difficult to obtain a stick here and my husband often argues to me that they are now obsolete and are a purposeless relic. Our neighbor has a self driving car and he believes roads will be much safer when we depend less on human drivers
Alfaromero, Acura and others no longer offer manual trans
Alfaromero, Acura and others no longer offer manual trans
Zaphod42 · 46-50, M
Yep! And here in America a stick shift is almost an anti theft device 😂
helenS · 36-40, F
Europeans do it all the time. And I'm one of them. Oh yes. 🇪🇺
Highskirt · 56-60, M
Yes I can drive manual shift but I prefer automatic transmission
Virgo79 · 61-69, M
It was the first thing I drove, three on the tree 🙂
Chevy454 · 46-50, M
I’ve only done it a handful of times(3-4), but yes
TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 41-45, MVIP
like 'possumn bourne'.
DragonFruit · 61-69, M
I have, but not recently.
smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F
Yes i can
Dino11 · M
My S.O. can..😏
James1956 · 61-69, M
Yes I can
xixgun · M
You betcha
SW-User
Yes
Eddiesolds · 61-69, M
Yes
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
Yes.
SW-User
Yes.
Elizabeth28 · TVIP
Yes
chrisCA · M
Yes
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