Is driving a stick shift becoming a lost art?

[Mike DC]

 
I didn't realize that the total percentage of citizens driving in the Netherlands had gotten so high.  I knew it was a lot but anything near 95% kind of surprises me. 

(No wonder they've been importing so many american musclecars lately . . . )



The mileage thing really can't be overstated, at least in terms of impact in the past.  I mean, an old Mopar (which had what was considered a very good automatic tranny in general) could lose something like 25% of its power before it got to the rear wheels.  No small amount of that was in the slipping tranny. 

[draftingmonkey]

Everyone should drive a non synchro 4 speed tranny! Then you will truely know how to shift a manual.


Todd

There's the quick way to tell who the farm boys are.

Or folks who drive non-synchro cars (such as early Jags).  How about having to learn to double clutch thrown in the mix.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-double-clutching.htm

[Todd Wilson]

Everyone should drive a non synchro 4 speed tranny! Then you will truely know how to shift a manual.


Todd

There's the quick way to tell who the farm boys are.

Or folks who drive non-synchro cars (such as early Jags).  How about having to learn to double clutch thrown in the mix.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-double-clutching.htm

Yup!   You will really learn how to shift and understand the rpms of your engine. We've been spoiled with the synchro trannys.


Todd

[Troy]

I don't believe that stick shift cars get better mileage these days. Many cars with automatics actually have a higher MPG than the same car with a stick. I believe it has to do with the overdrive and gear ratios. Another thing, the newer electronic transmissions with lockout converters are very advanced and tuned for mileage. I don't think a person (ok, most people) manually shifting could be nearly as accurate.

I prefer to drive a stick but, yeah, many people have no idea how and/or are too lazy. You can't hold your Starbucks, a newspaper, talk on the phone, and steer with your knees if you have to keep pushing in the clutch pedal. Besides, a whole bunch of people already drive with two feet (one on the gas and one on the brake) so they'd never be able to use the third pedal.

Troy

[PocketThunder]

I don't believe that stick shift cars get better mileage these days. Many cars with automatics actually have a higher MPG than the same car with a stick. I believe it has to do with the overdrive and gear ratios. Another thing, the newer electronic transmissions with lockout converters are very advanced and tuned for mileage. I don't think a person (ok, most people) manually shifting could be nearly as accurate.

I prefer to drive a stick but, yeah, many people have no idea how and/or are too lazy. You can't hold your Starbucks, a newspaper, talk on the phone, and steer with your knees if you have to keep pushing in the clutch pedal. Besides, a whole bunch of people already drive with two feet (one on the gas and one on the brake) so they'd never be able to use the third pedal.

Troy

Ya i think you're right on that one.   I picked a 2006 Ram 1500 4x4 for example and the only advantage the stick gives you is 1 mpg difference in city driving, accoring to the fuel economy.gov website.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm