As would most pilots probably go their entire careers without needing their skills in a potentially life or death situation. I'd still require them for a pilots license, wouldn't you? I'm speaking as a European, so to me, driving a car means managing the steering wheel, pedals AND gears.

Cars are the US version of public transportation, and it's very obnoxious for thousands of commuters to be driving manuals in a traffic jam. Being good at driving a manual is important for driving manuals, it's not necessary for people who drive automatics, even in an evasive manner. An automatic isn't similar to autopilot. Saying everyone needs experience with manual transmissions even if they drive automatics is like saying every pilot needs to know how to fly a Sopwith Camel even if he spends his whole career in a Boeing 737. It's a nice skill set, but it's just not relevant.

On August 25 2012 02:47 dabom88 wrote:
Still haven't quite mastered going onto my driveway, braking, waiting for the garage to open, and then going into first gear on my driveway, which is on an incline.

Your garage isn't permanently ajar now, is it? :X

dabom88

United States3483 Posts

August 24 2012 19:40 GMT

#23

On August 25 2012 04:23 oBlade wrote:

Show nested quote +

Your garage isn't permanently ajar now, is it? :X

The remote wont work if I'm on the street, I'm too far away. Have to be close enough to the garage to use it, which means stopping on the driveway and pushing the remote.

dabom88

United States3483 Posts

August 25 2012 02:37 GMT

#24

Alright, went out for another drive today. Have a few questions.

The entire time I've been reversing, I've pretty much been riding the clutch. I know it's supposed to be like shifting into first gear, but most of the time that's just to transition into higher gears.

With reversing, I know I'm gonna be going slowly, and gonna need to brake pretty quickly/often, so I just ride the clutch when I'm reversing so I don't stall.

Am I doing it wrong? Is there a better way to reverse where I can just let go of the clutch?

Also, I've been using the clutch when I've been switching to Neutral. That's what you're supposed to do, right?

SnipedSoul

Canada2158 Posts

August 25 2012 02:55 GMT

#25

On August 25 2012 11:37 dabom88 wrote:

Also, I've been using the clutch when I've been switching to Neutral. That's what you're supposed to do, right?

Yes, you're supposed to press the clutch before changing to neutral.

guitarizt

United States1492 Posts

August 27 2012 10:46 GMT

#26

I always ride the clutch longer than I should in reverse, but I really only put it in reverse long enough to get the car going then I put it in neutral, stop, and put it in first gear. I used to be really paranoid about riding the clutch because everyone says to not do it, but it's ok to switch gears then let the clutch come up like 80% for a second then release it to make it change gears smoother. It really helps to have someone with you because you don't want to ride the clutch and it's all kind of relative I guess. I practiced a lot in the parking lot at first. I love driving stick now especially in san francisco.