Only 18% of all Americans can drive a stick shift

[Laurie]

Why would you want to?

i gave up on a "pudding stirrer" in 1973, back in the old Borg Warner Type 35 days, one of the best boxes ever fitted, at least, here in the UK.

In fact, for years it was virtually the only one available. I seem to remember that even Rolls Royce used it.

 

[Capt Lightning]

The only place I've driven an automatic is in the US. In a way it was handy because I could concentrate more on driving on the right instead of the left. I don't find Europe so much of a problem because I'm in my own vehicle, not a rental one.

 

[HazyDavey]

Most of my work trucks were 4 speed, & one was a 3 on the tree. At work I've driven trucks with 5 speed main boxes and a 4 speed brownie box (sticks) , 10 speed Road Ranger tyranny's, and 13 & 18 speed 10 wheeler dump trucks. Nowadays I just have a car with an automatic transmission and I love it..

 

[Camper6]

I had a bad experience with a stick shift in the Rocky Mountains with many hills.

Coming over a hill, the car speeds up and you cant slow it down to put it into second gear with the brakes. .

That's the difference with an automatic shift.

 

[rgp]

More & more new cars do not even offer a standard transmission....most are automatic from the get-go.

Remember when an automatic was an expensive option ?

 

[Tommy]

Remember when an automatic was an expensive option ?

I was wondering about that as I read this thread, rgp. I'm having a hard time remembering when the change actually happened.

I drove my first stick shift before I even had my driver's license and have owned a large number of both automatics and sticks over the years, ranging from simple "three on the column" arrangements to my current Tundra with "six on the floor". Most of my life, I strongly preferred a standard transmission, but over the past 10-15 years I've gotten spoiled ... maybe it's an age thing. Our latest vehicle, a Rav4, is an automatic (I don't know if it's even available with a stick).

 

[hiraeth2018]

Even in my day (I just turned 66) manual transmissions were not taught or required in drivers ed... but I did learn in my senior year how to drive a VW bug and timing was everything! Hills were scary coming to a dead stop at a stop sign... I think other drivers gave you more room back then (I still tremble just thinking about it). These skills came in handy tho when trying to start a dead car by popping the clutch. I did teach my daughter how to drive a manual on another VW bug which I bought during her high school years (she just turned 36). I also bought a Jeep Wrangler that was a blast to drive in the summer and winter time. As I got older I have to admit the noise and rough ride fell by the wayside as I got older, cars got more comfortable and stereos more fun to listen to.

 

[Roadwarrior]

When I was of age I took my brother's old Dodge Power Wagon to test in. 4 on the floor/starter next to the gas feed, ratty seats or course no seat belts back then. I could tell the tester was hesitant. He got in had me go around the block, 4 right turns. Told me to park, filled out my application. I said is that it? He looked at me said, "Son if you can drive this, you can drive anything." I think he even jumped out and kissed the ground.

 

[Manatee]

When I learned to drive, I didn't know anyone that owned an automatic.
Some imports had 4 speed on the column and that really freaked out some people.
Our last stick was my wife's MGB roadster which we gave to our son.

 

[connect1]

I can drive stick shift. I learned on a car and truck my dad had.

 

[terry123]

Learned on a stick but prefer an automatic.

 

[applecruncher]

Is there some advantage to driving a stick shift (vs automatic)?

 

[Laurie]

Do you require a special licence to drive a stick shift in the US?

We have two types of licence in the UK. While you can drive an automatic if you have a full stick shift licence, if you only have a licence for an automatic you can't drive a stick shift.

 

[Pappy]

I drove an 18 wheeler with 13 forward gears and 4 reverse...

Never understood why those rigs need 4 reverse gears. Maybe you can explain. Pappy

 

[Tommy]

Do you require a special licence to drive a stick shift in the US?

Not in any of the states in which I've been licensed. There are special licenses for various types of commercial vehicles and some states have special endorsements for motorcycles. Other than that, I believe a regular driver's license covers any road vehicle.

Interesting that whenever I've driven in your fair land, I've rented cars with manual transmissions and nobody's brought this subject up.

As I'm writing this it occurs to me that, as far as I know, all government employees who drive large work trucks on the road are required to have CDLs (commercial drivers licenses) even though there's absolutely nothing "commercial" about them whatsoever.
:why:

 

[Gary O']

Is there some advantage to driving a stick shift (vs automatic)?

Yes

the metamorphosis from ennui to exhilarating fun

 

[applecruncher]

Oh, Gary, you're incorrigible! :laugh:

No, really, I'd like to know.

 

[rgp]

Not in any of the states in which I've been licensed. There are special licenses for various types of commercial vehicles and some states have special endorsements for motorcycles. Other than that, I believe a regular driver's license covers any road vehicle.

Interesting that whenever I've driven in your fair land, I've rented cars with manual transmissions and nobody's brought this subject up.

As I'm writing this it occurs to me that, as far as I know, all government employees who drive large work trucks on the road are required to have CDLs (commercial drivers licenses) even though there's absolutely nothing "commercial" about them whatsoever.
:why:

CDL is required for anything 26,001 pounds or more. Fire equipment is exempt.

These were the rules as of 2000 , when i retired.

 

[Pappy]

Interior of my first car, a 37 Buick, stick shift on the floor. Not my car. Photo googled.

 

[Gary O']

Oh, Gary, you're incorrigible! :laugh:

No, really, I'd like to know.

tough answer these days, as automatics have come a very long ways

it used to be snow, ice on hills for me...not so much anymore

 

[Tommy]

Is there some advantage to driving a stick shift (vs automatic)?

Ill take a stab at this. You real car guys can correct me if I'm wrong. When the engine is moving your vehicle at a given speed, there is always a trade-off between power and fuel economy depending on the gear the car is in.

In theory, say you're moving along a flat road at 35 MPH in second gear. Your car might have a good deal of power going to the wheels but will be getting poor fuel economy. If you were then shift directly into fourth gear, your fuel economy should be much better ... until you need to accelerate or go up a hill, at which time the car will be significantly under-powered and you'll have to downshift (or maybe stand on the accelerator) to keep it moving.

With an automatic transmission, all of those decisions are made for you by your car's transmission (unless you're part of the 1% of drivers who have and actually know how to use transmission settings like "L" and "D2"). As Gary said, automatic transmissions have become "smarter" over the years but they're still not always a substitute for human decision making. For example, when trying to go up a snow-slick incline an automatic might put too much power to the wheels, causing the tires to break traction and causing a skid. With a standard, the driver can shift to a higher gear, sending less power to the wheels and maintaining traction. With all of the twisting, hilly two-lane roads in my area, there is something to be said for a stick shift.

On the other hand . . .a stick can sometimes be just plain FUN.:fun:

 

[Pappy]

True that Tommy. It’s also easier to start a stick if you live on a hillside like I did. My first three cars had a 6 volt system and just wouldn’t start in freezing weather. I’d coast down the driveway, out to the road and let her roll. Pop the clutch and 9 times out of 10 she started right up.

 

[C'est Moi]

CDL is required for anything 26,001 pounds or more. Fire equipment is exempt.

These were the rules as of 2000 , when i retired.

Unless it's an RV; those still require a special license over 26,000 pounds (in some states) but not "commercial."

 

[Butterfly]

Like many here, I learned to drive on a stick shift, but have driven an automatic for most of my life. I could probably still drive one, but don't care to. I never felt really comfortable starting on a hill, like having to stop at a stop sign on top of a hill and starting out again without rolling backwards a little.

 

[Macfan]

Our '93 Toyota pickup is a 5 speed manual. Going to hold onto it as long as we can. They charge more for manual shift cars these days, when I was a teenager, they charged more for automatic transmissions but most here already know that . I prefer manual but automatics do have some advantages, especially in stop-n-go rush hour traffic. The wife and I and our 2 boys drive stick, daughter never could get the hang of it. Still, that's 4 out of 5 in our family alone (that can drive manual transmission vehicles) . Don...