Did you know that only 18% of Americans can drive a manual car? That’s according to U.S. News & World Report.
Once upon a time, everyone knew how to operate a vehicle with a manual transmission. But those days are long gone. While some purists still insist that you can’t really drive a car if you can’t operate a stick shift, many motorists have never seen a stick shift…let alone driven one.
Manuals Are a Dying Breed But…
Vehicles with manual transmissions are a dying breed. Motor1.com reports that a mere 1.7% of total car sales last year in the U.S. were stick shifts.
While manuals might be going the way of the dodo bird, here are 10 reasons to learn how to drive a stick shift.
Better Fuel Economy
According to Consumer Reports, you can reduce fuel consumption by two to five miles per gallon by going manual over automatic. Why? It takes more energy for an automatic to shift from gear to gear. So, if you want to save as much as possible, go with a stick shift.
More Fun to Drive…
Driving a manual is a more engaging experience since you must be more aware of road conditions to move from gear to gear smoothly. Drivers who can operate stick shifts and automatics often say that driving manuals is hands-down more fun.
Treat yourself to a manual transmission if a car is more to you than something to get you from Point A to Point B. A car enthusiast who loves to drive can enhance the fun factor with a manual transmission. After learning to drive one, you might never look back.
Save Money…
Manual transmissions typically cost less than their automatic counterparts. So, whether you need to get yours serviced or buy a new one, a stick shift will be kinder to your pocket.
Manual gearboxes have a longer longevity than automatic gearboxes. So, manual transmissions are not only cheaper, they also last longer. Buying a vehicle with a stick shift is a good idea if you’re a consumer desiring to get the most value for your hard-earned dollar.
Deterrent to Distracted Driving…
The percentage of motorists using hand-held electronic devices climbed 82% from 1.7% in 2013 to 3.1% in 2022. Driving a manual car will reduce, if not eliminate, the urge to talk on the phone while driving. You have to pay close attention and manually shift from gear to gear — leaving little room for unnecessary distractions. When driving, focus on driving.
Every year, around 3,000 people die because of vehicle collisions from distracted motorists. Because an automatic transmission doesn’t need human intervention to go from gear to gear, some drivers let their focus wander. But you won’t have that luxury with a manual transmission.
Deter Thieves…
Remember the statistic above showing that a mere two in 10 Americans can drive a stick shift? Considering most people can’t operate a manual car, getting one can be the perfect anti-theft deterrent. Someone looking to steal cars will probably be unable to drive off with a manual car.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that over 1 million vehicles were stolen last year, a 1% increase from the year prior. Driving a car with a manual transmission can reduce your odds of becoming a statistic.
Reduce Requests From Car Borrowers…
Do family, friends, and acquaintances ask to borrow your car? You can always say, “No.” But if you have difficulty doing so, driving a stick shift will reduce requests. They’ll ask someone who has a vehicle with an automatic transmission, which will reduce requests to borrow your manual.
Beware of people who, knowing they can’t drive a stick shift, want to practice on yours. That’s one of the worst things you can do since a novice learning the ropes can ruin your clutch. That’s one way to shorten the longevity of your clutch and manual transmission.
More Car-Buying Options
Knowing how to drive vehicles with manual and automatic transmissions will increase your options when buying a car. So, it’s not about choosing one over the other. Learn both. You might miss some sweet deals on the used car market if you can’t drive a stick shift.
Enjoy Classic Cars
Believe it or not, there was a time when manuals were all the rage. If you want to drive cars from those long-ago eras, learning to drive a stick shift will ensure you can. Your dream car, perhaps a high-performance sports vehicle, might only be available with a manual transmission.
Save Money on a Used One
Because more people drive automatics than stick shifts, you might save money if you need a used vehicle and want to buy a manual. If a private seller has a manual for sale, the chances are there won’t be a critical mass of prospective buyers calling to set up test drives.
Increase Options…
Yet another reason to learn how to drive a stick shift is you’ll have more options if you must borrow a car. Whether yours is in the repair shop or a loved one is using it, you might have no wheels if something comes up and you need a vehicle on short notice.
If a close friend has one with a manual transmission but you can’t operate a stick shift, you’ll have to scramble to find someone with an automatic.
You’ll also have more options if traveling overseas. While finding a U.S. car rental company offering stick shifts is like looking for needles in haystacks, this is not the case elsewhere.
If you’re visiting Europe, you won’t have difficulty finding car rental agencies offering vehicles with manual transmissions. But you’ll be out of luck if you don’t know how to drive one. That’ll be a bummer in situations where the only vehicles available have stick shifts.
Learning to Drive a Stick Shift Is Still Worth It!
For these ten reasons, you should learn to drive a stick shift if you can’t do so already. In North America, cars with manual transmissions are harder and harder to come by. But they’re still available. Whether you enjoy driving or want to increase your options, learning to operate a vehicle with a manual transmission makes sense.
