Do you Americans/Canadians ever drive manual cars?

[Actual_Criminal]

I am learning to drive in the UK where most people use manual cars. However, automatic-only licences are becoming more common because more and more people are just using automatic cars, like the States where I believe automatic is really popular.

 

My driving instructor even said there is no point going for manual these days and I should just go for automatic.

 

I am doing manual lessons because my new job soon will require driving around 10 hours or so per week and might be driving different cars.

 

Still, is my instructor right and is there really any point in doing manual lessons these days? 

[Skiiwee29]

Everyone should learn how to drive a Manual. 

[Actual_Criminal]

2 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

Everyone should learn how to drive a Manual. 

Hmm but why? Curious

[Skiiwee29]

Just now, Actual_Criminal said:

Hmm but why? Curious

They are going out of "style" yes, but many older vehicles still are standard plus you can custom order with standard as well. Standard usually also gets better gas mileage compared to automatic counterpart, and if people don't learn how to drive manual... less chance of car getting stolen because the thief doesn't know how!!

[GuiltySpark_]

There is no future for manuals for normal cars in the US. 
 

They’re entirely the domain of enthusiasts and we’ll keep driving them because we want to not for any necessity. 
 

I agree, there is no point for normal non-car enthusiasts to learn manual in 2021. 

[Monkey Dust]

45 minutes ago, Actual_Criminal said:

Hmm but why? Curious

If you're in the UK and need to hire a van, it will almost certainly be a manual. Having an auto only licence would make it incredibly difficult. Likewise, if you want a job that would involve driving a van or pick up, your employer are unlikely to want to spend more on the vehicle just because you couldn't be bothered to get the full licence.

 

Also, while you're car shopping, or even just looking to rent or borrow a car, ruling out such a large percentage of cars is just making like hard for yourself. Unless you really can't get the hang of the clutch. Could well be different in 5-6 years as hybrids and EVs take over, but right now in the UK I'd still recommend going for the full licence.

[Avocado Diaboli]

1 hour ago, Actual_Criminal said:

Still, is my instructor right and is there really any point in doing manual lessons these days? 

I'd say it's still good to know how to drive manual simply because you might at some point need to drive one. Whenever I hand over my car for servicing, I get a replacement that usually has a manual transmission. And even though it's been close to a decade since I've owned a manual car, I still instinctively know how to drive one. It helps that I also ride a manual motorcycle, so I constantly have practice. On the other hand, I don't think it's too hard for anyone taught on an automatic to adapt to manual. Switzerland, where I live, recently changed the law where people who did their permit with an automatic car can now officially drive anything they want, where they previously were limited to automatic cars, so I guess officials here came to the conclusion that there isn't that much of a downside to allowing people who learned driving automatic to drive manuals now as well.

[CommanderAlex]

I never learned how to drive a manual, but I'd love to learn how to considering some pick-up trucks still use manual transmissions-especially for towing. I almost got a pickup truck once that has a Dodge Cummins 5.9L and a 5-speed manual transmission, but the costs was high and it was a "53" block-which was prone to block cracking. 

 

This is probably one of the reasons why you see this meme come around online. 

[mapegl]

Basically,  if you come to Europe and want a rental, you might be screwed. There are options for automatic, but if you want to save a buck that is basically not a thing. However, things are massively changing and e.g. VW will stop making the Passat with a manual transmission in ...a few years (edit: it is 2023 and will be the Passat and Tiguan, which are sold on quite a large scale). The DSG is just so good and even more fuel-efficient than manual and therefore people just don't order manuals anymore....well much less. 

So the whole argument I would have made a few years ago about "Well, if you come to my country you'd better learn!" is kinda fading. 

[Bitter]

It's good to know how to do well enough to get somewhere safely just in case but it's not critical knowledge anymore. Manuals don't always best automatics in gas mileage nor are they always faster or any of the other enthusiast arguments for them. Modern automatic and DSG transmissions are every bit as efficient and fast as a manual transmission. It's perfectly fine to like them just because it's what you prefer and it's perfectly fine to learn to drive with one because you want to. The instructor is being paid and doesn't need your justifications to earn their money, why should they care if you know something extra? They're getting paid to teach so teach.

[8tg]

To put this into context, I have a Class A CDL, I used to drive auto-shift 12 speeds, manual 10, 13 and 18 speed transmission.

To understand an 18 speed transmission, you have range and hi-low selectors over a 6 speed stick.

I’ve also driven twin stick before but that is basically the same thing except your selectors are a separate stick.

 

Manual transmissions are going the way of the dodo. Originally around when automatics were getting popular, the manuals stayed mainstream because the automatics were more expensive and functionally limited compared to manual transmissions. There were cars in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s with 3 speed automatics, while their manual counterparts were 4 or 5 speeds and were a lot cheaper.

 

By the late 80’s and early 90’s automatic transmissions had gotten functionally equivalent to their manual counterparts, and by this point some lines of vehicles had been exclusively automatic for so long that their mass production brought down the cost of their transmissions. The only thing left was the performance aspect, you really couldn’t operate an automatic quite like a manual. That is until the mid 2000’s when you started to see paddle shifters, flick sticks or other forms of impersonating manual operation take off. That’s when you could lock your car to a gear and even in an automatic, slide around the place in 1st waiting for a head gasket failure on your moms 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer that you thought was like the lancer evo, but turned out to be more like a Nissan Sentra.

 

These days automatics are so cheap that the cost savings of manual isn’t even there. The last few cars that have manual options new are vehicles that either offer manual for enthusiasts, or they’re so cheap that saving 300$ over the automatic version is maybe worth it, I guess.

 

Theres a second bit here on economic factors, while the UK and most of Europe was rebuilding post WW2, America was rolling around in fat stacks of cash and patriotism after vaporizing small portions of Japan and spending the last few years curb stomping Nazis. Our people wanted nice things, they bought automatic cars. Large chunks of America were now post war suburbia and automatics fit well there from how the driving style would be in areas like that.

Americans average income was higher, our cars were more expensive because of luxury options the public demanded, including automatics. That didn’t happen in most places on the other side of the Atlantic. The UK lost a lot of their production capability, many of their automotive factories were involved in war efforts and had to convert back. So for a few years there the trend with vehicles was more simple, individual reliability and mechanical simplicity that resulted in a cheap product for the now very busy working everyday people, while also reducing as many material costs and production times as possible. They basically designed every car like GM did 45 years later with the Saturn S series, basically imagine late 40’s Saturn being a thing, that was every single British car made.

And they were all most commonly manual, for many years. So they never had that post war economic boom side effect of wanting luxury goods, because they could not produce luxury goods, they produced more function over form items. Long term any interest in automatic transmissions waned until they became extremely cheap and as mentioned way above, functionally equivalent.

 

In the US a manual transmission means one of 3 things, you’re driving a semi truck, you are an automotive enthusiast, or you have an old and cheap car. There are no other reasons to drive manual here. And even then that first one is vanishing as autoshifts get more and more popular.

 

[porina]

I'm in UK so I get the OP's perspective. I learnt manual long ago because auto was this exotic expensive thing. On my most recent trip to the US, my then work colleagues did take me out, and I was surprised to find the two I met with both drove manual. One was a proper petrol head, taking his Porsche(s) to track days.

 

However, looking forwards, I think manual is on the way out for the simple reason that electric is being pushed, and they don't have gearing like in traditional cars. Manual skills could be a benefit for the coming years, but in time will diminish.

[martin_metal_88]

I did learn to drive manual a while ago, maybe 12 years ago. But never did after that. Probably wont ever use again anyway, manual are getting very rare and I want my next truck to be electric.

Maybe I'll get a Mahindra Roxor for the cabin so I can tow larger wood trailer at a time from hard to reach place my car can't reach, but will they ever start to sell it again 

[Commodus]

3 hours ago, Skiiwee29 said:

They are going out of "style" yes, but many older vehicles still are standard plus you can custom order with standard as well. Standard usually also gets better gas mileage compared to automatic counterpart, and if people don't learn how to drive manual... less chance of car getting stolen because the thief doesn't know how!!

The "manual is more efficient" trope is going away, as people have pointed out. Dual-clutch and CVT gearboxes often fare quite well. And while manuals can be theft deterrents, I'd rather have technology that prevents thieves from getting into the car in the first place!

 

Really, though, unless you live in a manual-heavy country or are an enthusiast who wants to drive stick for a few more years, there's not much reason to learn anything other than automatic. Autos already dominate in North America, and EVs will make sure they dominate worldwide.

 

I know some people are attached to manuals, but many (if not most) people just see them as needless complexity. To me, clinging to manuals is like insisting you'll drive combustion engine cars forever — it's a fight against superior tech driven by irrational desires for familiarity or a more sensory experience. Me, I like the thought that a gear-free EV can thrash many comparable manual ICE cars while making virtually no noise.

[Heliian]

Manual transmissions are good for small, cheap cars that are underpowered and race vehicles. 

 

In Canada, there is no different licence for manual or auto so it doesn't matter in regard to the OP.  

 

I highly recommend learning manual gear shifting as it will give you a better understanding about the vehicle and it gives you a basic knowledge if you ever want to drive anything manual including but not limited to: motorcycles, Ag tractors, classic cars, race cars and lorries.  

[Beerzerker]

Nothing wrong with learning how to drive a manual, in fact I suggest it.
Doesn't really matter if manuals are slowly fading away in sales/ production, they'll still be around for years to come and one's options aren't limited by not knowing how. 

To me it just makes sense to learn all you can and learning how to drive a manual is one thing that won't hurt you do to...... At least if you don't wreck first.
It's like riding a bike, once you learn you'll never truly forget.

Also one day you'll be able to say when it seems everyone else can't drive one:
"Yeah - I can drive that".

[trag1c]

Nothing wrong with the average person at least having basic knowledge on how operate a manual. But yes they're basically gone from just about every non sports car. Often if they're available as option you usually can't get higher trim packages either unless it's a sport model car.

 

It's definitely an enthusiast thing now. Can't even get full size pickup trucks in them anymore.

[FeIIex]

I know plenty of people here in NB, Canada that much prefer manual vs automatic, but I am not one of those people.

 

I can completely understand why people love manual though.

[Imbadatnames]

5 hours ago, Actual_Criminal said:

I am learning to drive in the UK where most people use manual cars. However, automatic-only licences are becoming more common because more and more people are just using automatic cars, like the States where I believe automatic is really popular.

 

My driving instructor even said there is no point going for manual these days and I should just go for automatic.

 

I am doing manual lessons because my new job soon will require driving around 10 hours or so per week and might be driving different cars.

 

Still, is my instructor right and is there really any point in doing manual lessons these days? 

Considering by 2030 no new manual cars will be sold there’s no point unless you need it for work. Electric cars are the future and they don’t have gears 

[whm1974]

1 minute ago, Imbadatnames said:

Considering by 2030 no new manual cars will be sold there’s no point unless you need it for work. Electric cars are the future and they don’t have gears 

I was told when growing that, if you are able to drive a manual you can just about drive anything. I doubt that Electric will be able to power Tractor Trailers for some time yet.

[Imbadatnames]

36 minutes ago, Beerzerker said:

Nothing wrong with learning how to drive a manual, in fact I suggest it.
Doesn't really matter if manuals are slowly fading away in sales/ production, they'll still be around for years to come and one's options aren't limited by not knowing how. 

To me it just makes sense to learn all you can and learning how to drive a manual is one thing that won't hurt you do to...... At least if you don't wreck first.
It's like riding a bike, once you learn you'll never truly forget.

Also one day you'll be able to say when it seems everyone else can't drive one:
"Yeah - I can drive that".

They’ll be banned in the uk in 2030, at least new, then be taxed into the ground after that to disincentivise the used market.

[Imbadatnames]

3 minutes ago, whm1974 said:

I was told when growing that, if you are able to drive a manual you can just about drive anything. I doubt that Electric will be able to power Tractor Trailers for some time yet.

You need a separate licence for tractor anyway and all modern tractors are automatic as they have a billion gears 

[SansVarnic]

If you were born in the United States primarily after 1995, you most likely did not learn how to drive a manual or stick car. It has become increasingly more popular to have an automatic vehicle. They are made that way now a days. It is increasingly unlikely to find manual car unless specifically ordered in that fashion.

 

But to answer your question, yes I know how, and on occasion drive a stick.

[JZStudios]

What in the hell is a manual car? This isn't the Flintstones. We also don't have as many silly regulations for these things. In colder climates you might have some ice driving tests, but here in the desert, no point, why bother? Only snows once every 3-5 years.

The real question is, why does Europe have a manual license to begin with? Do the laws of the road suddenly change? Seems like if you don't know how to drive stick you just wouldn't do it. Doesn't seem like a reasonable requirement to have 2 different licenses with manual taking 10 hours. I learned to drive stick on my first day of work.

[Colty]

US perspective, I'm a car guy. I've owned over a dozen cars. (Some of those being split between me and a buddy for a flip/fun weekender)

My first car was auto, everything else has been stick. (Besides one free Subie Forester I had for a few months)

My parents both drive stick, so I was always expecting to learn how.

My GF can't/won't. She has an understanding of it, she's been in a parking lot and done it, but doesn't feel comfortable going on the road. In an emergency (if I broke a leg or something), I think she could manage to drive one of my cars. She's willing to learn, but wants it to be in a car that doesn't matter if something goes wrong. At some point, I'll get a cheap 3 pedal car for her to learn on, a backup beater that can be waiting on me to swap the clutch out should something go wrong. 

I've gotten a lot of cars for cheap by knowing (and preferring) to drive stick. I've also been able to avoid having people borrow my car because it's stick. On the flip side, there are also times when I wish I could have borrowed my car to someone (typically my GF), but been unable to. 

There are occasional moments where it's a small hassle. I needed tires put on and had to double check with the guy behind the counter that there was someone who could drive stick. I imagine that wouldn't be a common issue in Europe though. 

3 hours ago, Commodus said:

The "manual is more efficient" trope is going away, as people have pointed out. Dual-clutch and CVT gearboxes often fare quite well. And while manuals can be theft deterrents, I'd rather have technology that prevents thieves from getting into the car in the first place!

 

Really, though, unless you live in a manual-heavy country or are an enthusiast who wants to drive stick for a few more years, there's not much reason to learn anything other than automatic. Autos already dominate in North America, and EVs will make sure they dominate worldwide.

 

I know some people are attached to manuals, but many (if not most) people just see them as needless complexity. To me, clinging to manuals is like insisting you'll drive combustion engine cars forever — it's a fight against superior tech driven by irrational desires for familiarity or a more sensory experience. Me, I like the thought that a gear-free EV can thrash many comparable manual ICE cars while making virtually no noise.

Some dual clutches may offer better fuel economy, but they also have taller gearing so it's not a 1:1 comparison. I haven't yet looked into same gearing DCT vs manual, but I imagine it'd be fairly similar. The issue is how you drive, not what you drive. And if fuel economy is important, you probably care about cost. DCTs need fluid/filter changes often (every 40k-60k iirc). That's not cheap, even if you DIY it. And CTVs are (at this point) not very reliable. Once that's figured out though, and you can put 300k miles on a CVT, the CVT might be cheaper, despite also needing fluid/filters like the DCT.

Yes, car alarms and all that are important, but if someone gets your keys, the only thing that can stop them is them not knowing how to operate a clutch. 

Other than cost, I would say it's still good to have an understanding of a manual transmission. Like I said up above, if I was hiking, broke my legs and we had driven out in my car, I would hope one of my passengers would be able to row some gears and get me somewhere. 

Funny you mention "needless complexity" when it's really the CVT's and DCT's that are overly complex when we've had something that "just works" for over 100 years.

For me, it's a fight to have more control over a car, drive cheaper, have more fun. Especially living in an area with snow (Minnesota), I'm able to get moving a lot easier than an auto-box. A seasoned driver can do better than a computer trying to control the tire slip. And of course, in a modern car you can still have the computer assist and the proper technique. But in an auto box? I see people end up needing to turn off traction control to let the tires spin and hopefully get up a driveway/hill.