I Don't Care For Manual Transmissions

Quick rant and things to consider.

I just don’t, OK? I feel like the overly large desire of manual (Or standard if you prefer) transmission cars has just become a virtue signaling circle jerk for many people that are into the automotive hobby. It’s gotten annoying at this point, the majority of people who bitch and complain about not having a manual transmission car to drive aren’t really even looking to buy one.

And it’s not that I’m complaining about this because I don’t know how to drive a manual vehicle, I’ve driven 10-speed Semis, 5-speed Honda’s, etc. But I just don’t really enjoy having to look away from the road to make sure I don’t shift into the wrong gear, though if I had to own a manual, it would be an old column shift since you don’t need to take your eyes off the road nearly as much to see where you’re shifting, plus all the gears are very defined in their position.

For some reason in the last decade or so, a lot of car people have developed a thought process of “If you don’t know to drive a manual transmission car than you’re not a real car guy!”, or “If you don’t know how to drive a manual transmission car than you shouldn’t have a license!”, and other stupid thoughts like that.

I don’t hate manual transmission cars, I just don’t prefer them, and that doesn’t make me any less of a person. I don’t get it, or more accurately, I don’t feel it. The feeling of having fun and doing it to control the car more isn’t there for me when I drive a manual. For me, it’s driving with extra steps, and it distracts my focus on the road, I don’t need it in my life.

Now, there’s a lots arguments on why manual transmissions are better than autos, and I’m going to explain why the some of them are stupid. Some of the reasons I hear don’t even make any sense, I think some of them must be ironic or something because of how stupid they are, at least compared to the actual reasons.

Also, I never thought I would have to say this, but owning an automatic doesn’t make you subhuman. No one is better than everyone else just because they drive a manual, you’re not superior to all other people because you have or even know how to use a manual. I do think that everyone should how to drive a manual, but I’m not going to castrate them and call them lazy for just having a fucking preference, that’s gatekeeping levels of stupid.

Now that’s out of the way, for starters, the most common argument is that manual transmissions are more fun to drive, which as far as I’m concerned depends on the person. Some people like it, some people don’t, it’s that simple. I also don’t really see how it gives a more intimate understanding of your car either, all you’re really doing is controlling when it shifts, good for understanding when to change gears for peak HP and Torque but not much else.

However, I will say that you are less distracted when using a manual, as you have to pay attention when to shift. Unless you’re like me and need to constantly look at where to shift so you don’t miss the next gear, but I don’t find driving boring enough to not pay attention to the road. I feel like if you need a manual transmission car to pay attention to driving at all, that says more about you than the car itself.

Another common argument is that manual vehicles are more reliable, which I honestly have yet to see much proof of (At least in cars and light trucks), not that I doubt that it’s possible. There are less parts to break in a manual, so theoretically it should be more reliable, but that doesn’t always make it so. Especially when it comes to having them sit for a long time, from the many, many automotive revivals I’ve seen, the old 2 and 3 speed autos tend to have a much better time coming back out of hibernation, usually just needing fluid or a solenoid.

But the manuals tend to be locked up, pop out of gear, or not go into gear. I’d say that with an old auto you have a %80 chance of it still working after sitting, where with a manual you have a %50 chance, not a huge difference but still something. Also, you can’t put fluid in a manual transmission through a dipstick tube, because there isn’t one. You have to climb underneath your car and find another way to fill it, which fucking sucks. However, I will say that this information is a different story for Semi trucks and industrial vehicles, they have manual transmissions made to go for long periods of time even if abused.

Another supposed advantage of having a manual car is better gas mileage due to them weighing less. With modern transmissions, I don’t think this is really relevant anymore, but I guess you could make a case for this back in the 80s and 70s with certain cars. If you had two of the same car back then, one with a manual and one with an auto, you could probably get an extra MPG or two out of the manual. Though I’m not sure if that really matters enough to most people, who would probably just buy a more fuel efficient car if they want the good MPGs.

Another point some people make is that a car is less likely to be stolen if it’s a manual, to which I say…no? I mean, if someone actually wants to steal your car, they probably are going to figure out how to drive it away before they really try to take it. As for friends not borrowing one’s car because it’s a manual, I say just don’t let your friends borrow your car at all, just say no. Also, as of writing this, a week ago my friend let one of his friends borrow his Jeep (Which was a 5-speed manual), and he wrecked it into a parked car, totaling it. The Jeep being a manual transmission car didn’t change anything in that situation, not that it would’ve anyway.

Some people say that manual transmission vehicles cost less, which used to be true, but things have changed since then. Due to the enthusiasts raising the desire of owning a manual transmission car (Which I call the “enthusiast tax”), they often sell for more than their auto counterparts, both old and new. Despite the fact that manual transmissions have fewer moving parts and therefore cost less to make. And keep in mind that since manuals are bought less than autos new, an auto company has to raise the price to make up the difference, hoping a gearhead will come in with the cash to buy it.

However, unlike an automatic, a manual-equipped vehicle can be push-started, and then driven if necessary (Though you can do this with some automatics as well). That is a true benefit to owning a manual transmission, same as engine braking in a manual, especially when hauling trailers down long grades, will preserve your brakes and prevent them from overheating.

Another true benefit of owning a manual is not having to deal with some of the loss of HP to the rear wheels, It’s called parasitic loss, and it’s typically more prevalent in cars with automatic transmissions than it is in cars with manuals. The reason is that there are simply more things moving around in an automatic than there are in a manual. Those with an automatic use hydraulic pressure to enable operation, which draws its power from the engine.

And when someone knows how to drive a stick shift, they can drive pretty much any car ever made. They can drive an automatic, they can drive any other manual, even big 18-wheelers (technically), or a Volkswagen Autostick if they feel adventurous. Also, if you’re into jobs that require driving, knowing how to drive stick well give you a greater chance of being accepted for the position. This is why I still believe that everyone should to drive stick, doesn’t mean you have to own one, but it’s a good skill to have.

In this video, there is a lot of good information when it comes to the history and downfall of the manual transmission, as well as good explenations for why it happened. Though sadly it seems like no one in the comments section actually listened to much of in info in the video, as it’s plagued with the usual “MANUALS ARE THE BESSST!!!” and “This generation smh” type comments. They just keep repeating what others say, not much original thoughts there.

I would now like to direct you to these articles below me, most of which are quite old. I actually think these are satire, due to how dumb some of the reasons are. But I think that a lot of people that saw these old articles, and genuinely believed what they say. Therefore they repeat this information to other people, therefore it became truth to some of them.

https://thought.is/5-reasons-why-manual-transmission-drivers-are-better-at-life-than-everyone-else/

https://o6k.1dc.mwp.accessdomain.com/6-reasons-why-real-men-should-drive-a-stick/

https://www.mycarforum.com/forums/topic/2644419-top-8-reasons-why-real-men-drive-manual/

Some people want to be an active part of the car’s dynamics as it accelerates from a stop, rounds a bend, crests a hill, or rises out of a valley. Some of them *really* appreciate doing that. They feel more alive when they deftly sync the clutch and manually shift through the gears, as if they are dancing with the machine and loving every minute of it.

But to me, they’re kinda weird, and most folks just want their car to get them safely and reliably from point A to B. And autos are easier to live with. Many people buying cars aren’t enthusiasts, they simply need a tool of quality transportation that fits their needs and style. Like how I’m a car guy myself, but cars with an automatic fit my needs better than ones with a manual.

My own philosophy of driving is that if you know what your car's gonna do, you're gonna be a safer driver, and in a manual your car won't do anything unless you tell it to (For better or worse). If you want to own and drive a manual, that’s fine, if you want to own and drive an automatic, that’s fine too. Just don’t be a dick and call someone lazy or stupid just for having a preference, it’s petty and screams that you’re insecure. Oh, and Happy Holidays!