jone70 said:

missfee said:

Was her gear in 3rd instead of 1st gear? That's what happened to me one time when I first was learning how to drive a manual and I kept stalling at the stop sign. The horns were honking like something crazy, they even drove around me, I was so dern embarrassed. Then I figured out that I thought I was in 1st gear when I wasn't, lol.

[Edited 9/24/10 11:10am]

No, I don't think so. He just didn't know what he was doing. Everytime we would have to stop at a red light, he couldn't get the car to move when it turned green. It would do the shaking/convulsion thing, then die. I think he didn't know when/how to let off the clutch and press on the gas at the right moment. He would kill it when shifting gears, too. We were on Pulaski Boulevard, which is a major road, and I was so worried we were going to get into an accident because the car was constantly stopping in the middle of traffic.

I have never really liked driving, but after driving that car with the top down, down the Eisenhower Expressway I totally got how people could like driving. That car was SO fun, and shifting a little 5-speed sports car was completely different (and easier) than trying to shift a huge, 5-speed farm truck!

Yep. When you're at a stop, you can either put the gear in neutral and take your foot off the clutch, or you can keep it in first gear and keep the clutch engaged. My friend didn't know that she had to keep the clutch engaged while in 1st gear if she was stopped. Even though I had taught her the basics, she just forgot. When I was driving a stick, I would automatically put it in neutral after downshifting to stop.

Shorty said:

Lisa10 said:

Driving that would fuck with my brain.

just reading that fucked with my brain.

Yeah, that too!

Shyra said:

jone70 said:

No, I don't think so. He just didn't know what he was doing. Everytime we would have to stop at a red light, he couldn't get the car to move when it turned green. It would do the shaking/convulsion thing, then die. I think he didn't know when/how to let off the clutch and press on the gas at the right moment. He would kill it when shifting gears, too. We were on Pulaski Boulevard, which is a major road, and I was so worried we were going to get into an accident because the car was constantly stopping in the middle of traffic.

I have never really liked driving, but after driving that car with the top down, down the Eisenhower Expressway I totally got how people could like driving. That car was SO fun, and shifting a little 5-speed sports car was completely different (and easier) than trying to shift a huge, 5-speed farm truck!

Yep. When you're at a stop, you can either put the gear in neutral and take your foot off the clutch, or you can keep it in first gear and keep the clutch engaged. My friend didn't know that she had to keep the clutch engaged while in 1st gear if she was stopped. Even though I had taught her the basics, she just forgot. When I was driving a stick, I would automatically put it in neutral after downshifting to stop.

Oh okay. Now what's your strategy when it comes to going up or down hills? I know this is the one thing that many people have different methods and views on in handling when it comes to driving a manual transmission.

A-U-T-O-MATIC! tell me what to do ooo ooo

Sorry, that song popped in my head

Back on topic - yeah it's auto for me. I tried learning manual, hated it. Never got the hang of it.

missfee said:

Shyra said:

Yep. When you're at a stop, you can either put the gear in neutral and take your foot off the clutch, or you can keep it in first gear and keep the clutch engaged. My friend didn't know that she had to keep the clutch engaged while in 1st gear if she was stopped. Even though I had taught her the basics, she just forgot. When I was driving a stick, I would automatically put it in neutral after downshifting to stop.

Oh okay. Now what's your strategy when it comes to going up or down hills? I know this is the one thing that many people have different methods and views on in handling when it comes to driving a manual transmission.

That takes agility and coordination! When I drove my stick, while stopped on an incline, I could keep my car at a standstill with just the clutch and accelerator, but that's not a good practice. When at a stop on an incline, keep the gear in neutral and your foot on the brake. When it's time to accelerate, one must be quick and coordinated in order to prevent backsliding, especially if there's an asshole right on your tailgate!

Shyra said:

missfee said:

Oh okay. Now what's your strategy when it comes to going up or down hills? I know this is the one thing that many people have different methods and views on in handling when it comes to driving a manual transmission.

That takes agility and coordination! When I drove my stick, while stopped on an incline, I could keep my car at a standstill with just the clutch and accelerator, but that's not a good practice. When at a stop on an incline, keep the gear in neutral and your foot on the brake. When it's time to accelerate, one must be quick and coordinated in order to prevent backsliding, especially if there's an asshole right on your tailgate!

Okay thanks for the tips

I prefer automatic of course, like most people do. To shift manually can be fun for short periods of time when you drive powerful cars but in the long run an automatic gearbox is bliss. It allows you to relax and focus on other things and it frees up an arm and a leg, so what's not to love?

I drive an automatic and that's how I like it...never bothered to learn to drive a stick...but that's fine with me.

Shyra said:

missfee said:

Oh okay. Now what's your strategy when it comes to going up or down hills? I know this is the one thing that many people have different methods and views on in handling when it comes to driving a manual transmission.

That takes agility and coordination! When I drove my stick, while stopped on an incline, I could keep my car at a standstill with just the clutch and accelerator, but that's not a good practice. When at a stop on an incline, keep the gear in neutral and your foot on the brake. When it's time to accelerate, one must be quick and coordinated in order to prevent backsliding, especially if there's an asshole right on your tailgate!

hey SHYRA!! you are a trip! had much fun with ya....

I was eyeing the Mustang! That was looking like it would be sweet to drive!!

OT: I used to love to slide back just enough to make an asshole go "oh shit", I'd do that clutch/accelerator thing too Some people make it look too obvious, rocking back and forth. I really am missing my manual now

Manual.

Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course.

Dave1992 said:

Manual.

Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course.

All American's don't drive automatics honey. I've seen a few responses like this. Why is it assumed that all Americans drive automatics? I don't get it.

missfee said:

Dave1992 said:

Manual.

Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course.

All American's don't drive automatics honey. I've seen a few responses like this. Why is it assumed that all Americans drive automatics? I don't get it.

It's called a joke, honey. And, by the way, the percentage of automatics sold is way higher in the U.S. than in other countries.

Dave1992 said:

missfee said:

All American's don't drive automatics honey. I've seen a few responses like this. Why is it assumed that all Americans drive automatics? I don't get it.

It's called a joke, honey. And, by the way, the percentage of automatics sold is way higher in the U.S. than in other countries.

Just because that's the higher percentage doesn't mean that ALL americans drive automatics...as your so called corny joke stated...honey.

missfee said:

Dave1992 said:

It's called a joke, honey. And, by the way, the percentage of automatics sold is way higher in the U.S. than in other countries.

Just because that's the higher percentage doesn't mean that ALL americans drive automatics...as your so called corny joke stated...honey.

Did I indicate all Americans did? No. And even if I had, would it really be relevant regarding a shallow topic like this? Would you really feel offended? Just because I was not being "politically correct"? If so, that would be typically American too.

Honey, you lose.

Are you hot?

Dave1992 said:

Hershe said:

Dave1992 said:

Manual.

Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course.

That says people who drive manual don't break the law and/or crash. BS. I can drive both, but I do drive an automatic. American, no tickets, no crashes.

Exactly.

Dave1992 said:

Manual.

Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course.

lol...............

Dave1992 said:

missfee said:

Just because that's the higher percentage doesn't mean that ALL americans drive automatics...as your so called corny joke stated...honey.

Did I indicate all Americans did? No. And even if I had, would it really be relevant regarding a shallow topic like this? Would you really feel offended? Just because I was not being "politically correct"? If so, that would be typically American too.

Honey, you lose.

Are you hot?

Do you need to go back to school? When you say "Americans"...it's indicated that you mean "ALL AMERICANS".

at your "you lose" joke. Now that one is really funny, especially when I'm not playing a game with you.

Me and Pandurito mentioned about Americans driving automatics too.

I must have got that from somewhere...perhaps they are more common in America

I used to sell cars (in England) about one car in every 100 ordered was automatic - at the very, very most. people just don't tend to drive them very much here. I can only speak from my experience though.

Europeans also drive small cars compared to what we drive over here... When I was living in Germany, I cant recall ever seeing a pick up or a luxury sedan...

Lisa10 said:

Me and Pandurito mentioned about Americans driving automatics too.

I must have got that from somewhere...perhaps they are more common in America

I used to sell cars (in England) about one car in every 100 ordered was automatic - at the very, very most. people just don't tend to drive them very much here. I can only speak from my experience though.

Interesting.

well if you wanted to stereotype.....

America is actually more known for making big trucks (Ford, Dodge, Chevy) which tend to be used for hauling and used to be primarily manual transmissions.

The Japanese and other smaller car making countries tend to make primarily automatic.

Ever since America lowered the speed limits in many states and since many people don't live on farms anymore, many people stopped getting big trucks, and started geeting the cheaper smaller foreign cars. The German and Italian cars that were primarily manual were also more costly. They are considered "luxury" now.

The dynamic also shifted to family oriented vehicles such as SUVs and minivans which are vehicles not conducive to having a manual transmission....

So if you think of America as primarily automatic, that a huge shift in even the past 50, because we used to be the big truck nation! I guess that means we are more family oriented conservative now.

Did I bore the joke and the need to nitpick over stereotypes out of everyone yet?

Well this has opened a can of worms

from wikepedia (not sure how accurate it is)

Most cars sold in North America since the 1950s have been available with an automatic transmission^{[citation needed]}. Conversely, automatic transmission is less popular in Europe, with 80% of drivers opting for manual transmission.^[1]. In most Asian markets and in Australia, automatic transmissions have become very popular since the 1990s

link -

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ansmission

Lisa10 said:

Well this has opened a can of worms

from wikepedia (not sure how accurate it is)

Most cars sold in North America since the 1950s have been available with an automatic transmission^{[citation needed]}. Conversely, automatic transmission is less popular in Europe, with 80% of drivers opting for manual transmission.^[1]. In most Asian markets and in Australia, automatic transmissions have become very popular since the 1990s

link -

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ansmission

Its not so much the topic Lisa, but the continuous belittling of Americans by Dave...

missfee said:

Dave1992 said:

Did I indicate all Americans did? No. And even if I had, would it really be relevant regarding a shallow topic like this? Would you really feel offended? Just because I was not being "politically correct"? If so, that would be typically American too.

Honey, you lose.

Are you hot?

Do you need to go back to school? When you say "Americans"...it's indicated that you mean "ALL AMERICANS".

at your "you lose" joke. Now that one is really funny, especially when I'm not playing a game with you.

If you really, really want to split hairs with me, let me tell you something about what we all (including you) should have taken with us from school:

My exact words were "Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course."

This may indicate that all cars with an automatic gearbox are [made] for people who can't drive and for Americans. It does not indicate that people who can't drive and Americans do not drive other cars. It does not indicate that all Americans drive automatics. Read carefully - it's not difficult and you learned it at school.

But are you really being serious about all this? Don't you know about the American stereotypes and are you really too grim to laugh them off, knowing that nobody truly believes in them and wants to hurt your feelings?

You still didn't answer my question. Are you hot?

Graycap23 said:

Dave1992 said:

Manual.

Automatics are boring and for people who can't drive. Oh, and for Americans, of course.

lol...............

Gray, I'd like to ask you a question. Did you feel personally offended by my statement?

Dave1992 said:

Graycap23 said:

lol...............

Gray, I'd like to ask you a question. Did you feel personally offended by my statement?

Absolutely not. I thought it was funny.

tinaz said:

Lisa10 said:

Well this has opened a can of worms

from wikepedia (not sure how accurate it is)

Most cars sold in North America since the 1950s have been available with an automatic transmission^{[citation needed]}. Conversely, automatic transmission is less popular in Europe, with 80% of drivers opting for manual transmission.^[1]. In most Asian markets and in Australia, automatic transmissions have become very popular since the 1990s

link -

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ansmission

Its not so much the topic Lisa, but the continuous belittling of Americans by Dave...

There is absolutely no way I could belittle Americans... Don't you know that all of them are fat?

Graycap23 said:

Dave1992 said:

Gray, I'd like to ask you a question. Did you feel personally offended by my statement?

Absolutely not. I thought it was funny.

Thank you, you're a good American.

tinaz said:

Lisa10 said:

Well this has opened a can of worms

from wikepedia (not sure how accurate it is)

Most cars sold in North America since the 1950s have been available with an automatic transmission^{[citation needed]}. Conversely, automatic transmission is less popular in Europe, with 80% of drivers opting for manual transmission.^[1]. In most Asian markets and in Australia, automatic transmissions have become very popular since the 1990s

link -

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ansmission

Its not so much the topic Lisa, but the continuous belittling of Americans by Dave...

I don't know about any of that.... I'm just here for the original topic.

P.S

Hoorah for America!