Drive a stick? No? Well, some of us do.

I haven't posted recently due to car trouble. I know that sounds odd, but a trip to visit friends this past weekend turned into an extended stay because of some issues with my car. It's a touch ridiculous since my car has less than 30k in miles on it. All that aside, the car subject has led me to evaluate some of the trouble I've encountered on the road, specifically because I drive a car with a manual transmission. I realize that most drivers on the road drive automatics, as most cars now come standard that way, and that's perfectly alright. What is not alright is driving in an inconsiderate manner just because you assume everyone else is or should be driving the same type of vehicle. So, I've quickly compiled a very short list of tips so that we can all drive in a somewhat harmonious accord.

1. Don't pull up extremely close behind other vehicles at stop signs, traffic lights, etc.

I can't reiterate this enough. In case you don't understand how a manual works, when the vehicle is in neutral or the clutch is depressed (one of which has to be done at stops), the wheels are basically free to roll. Therefore, manuals have a tendency to roll forward or backward at stops, which is why the driver will usually push down thee brake. However, when starting again, the driver must quickly begin to release the clutch and depress the accelerator. This basically means that there is a brief period where the brake is released, and there is the possibility of the vehicle rolling, usually backwards.

Most experienced manual drivers have no problems with this. More inexperienced drivers may roll back a few feet when this happens. If another car is too close behind said vehicle, the former may roll back into the latter, and no one wants that. This tip is especially important to remember on hills of any sort. It always makes me mutter under my breath when I'm stopped on an incline and some massive SUV screeches to a halt 3 inches from my bumper. It just adds more tension and risk to driving, so don't do it.

2. Be patient when starting from a stop.

If you drive an automatic, to "go" all one has to do is let off the brake and the car starts forward. It's a touch more complicated in a manual. If I wanted to, I could drop the clutch and screech away from every stop, but that's obnoxious and would destroy my clutch plate pretty quickly. Most (read: most) folks are concerned with the longevity of their clutch, so they let the clutch slip evenly as it engages and start smoothly. However, this doesn't always happen immediately, so be aware.

There may also be an instance where the driver expects to sit for a bit, so he/she will shift into neutral. When the light turns green, sometimes it's a quick scramble to get back into 1st gear and start moving. It's not always an instantaneous thing.

3. Honking your horn doesn't help, ever.

We all stall when first learning to drive a stick. It's almost a certainty. After the first few weeks of driving, the driver usually figures out the vehicles' nuances and has no trouble. But, of course, those first weeks can be hellish. If someone in front of you stalls, play it cool. Go around if possible, or just wait. Everyone has somewhere to be, and everyone usually thinks their errand is the most important. Deal with it. Honking just puts more pressure on the driver and may make them stall again. Think about this; If your tire blew out, and everyone sat behind you honking and cursing, how would you feel?


These are just a few ideas off the top of my head. I'm sure there are more floating around out there, but these are some of the most important. Neither automatic nor manual are better, just different. Driving a stick can be challenging and a hassle at times, but it can also be quite a pleasure. Plus having direct control over your acceleration is way fun.


The shifter in my car