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To many new drivers, driving is easy. However, there is a minority of us new drivers who have to contend with a vicious old standard of driving, literally.
Standard transmission is one of the most dastardly ways to put a new driver off of driving. So what is standard transmission? Well first of all, it has many aliases, like manual, and stick. In most cars (those with automatic transmission), in order to move forward, drivers need only put the car in “drive.” A hapless few, however, must change gears in order to increase speed.
There are five total gears, first one being the starting gear and fifth being the traveling gear. First of all, you can’t have the car go 60 miles per hour while in the first gear. If attempted, the car will simply stall in response. The driver must change the gears appropriately for the speed he or she is traveling.
In addition to having to contend with gears, the driver must also coordinate with a pedal called the “clutch.” This is what starts the engine, and it is also required for changing gears. The driver must smoothly press the accelerator while releasing the clutch in order to start the car. If he or she fails to do so adequately, the car stops. That is a scary proposition for anyone who is in the middle of an intersection. To a new driver who has just barely cleared drivers ed, it is terrifying.
Using standard transmission can be overwhelming to new drivers. Yet somehow, there are people who can eventually drive in this manner. Some even love driving standards. Why would they put themselves through this torture? Because it makes you think actively about your driving. It also has better fuel efficiency. Some people like this kind of challenge, but personally, I just want to get from point A to B alive.
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driver1 • Oct 23, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I disagree with this article. i believe that is essential for a driver to learn how to drive a standard transmission at some point in their early driving life. I also think it is a better way to drive because, like the Nick said, it keeps you more engaged in driving. you constantly need to be aware. Where as if you are driving an auto, sometimes you get lulled into a dull state, which might make it more likely to be in an accident.
Anonymous • Oct 22, 2008 at 9:55 AM
When I grow up, I will be making 400k annually. With this money, I will buy a sports car which will only have a stick. I LOVE STICKS!
ichangegears • Oct 21, 2008 at 4:42 PM
i learned on stick shift and have driven it since the beginning. i love it, and i even took my driving test with my manual car. it’s so much more fun and engaging, versus just putting the car in “drive” and pressing the gas pedal. i agree that it is a good skill to have, especially if you plan on buying a car while still in high school. stick shifts are cheaper and more fuel efficient. i highly recommend it!
student driver • Oct 20, 2008 at 10:39 AM
i think that once you get the hang of driving stick its not really that challenging. its a skill that most people should have even if you plan on driving a automatic car, for emergencies or just in case. is you have an adult or whoever is teaching you to drive stick teach you it only takes a couple weeks to learn how to drive fine, but it may take several months to feel comfortable. i myself will have to drive stick because i will get my parents old car when i get my license, and i think that learning to drive stick is something you should learn before sitting down and driving auto because not only can any stick driver drive auto but it makes you pay more attention to the road as a young driver.