At the corner of N. Hillsdale Street and Ball Road, I undergo an invigorating experience every Friday afternoon: it’s the bond between me and my 2010 Volkswagen GTI. One thing connects us: its manual transmission. Clutch in. Shift from 4th to 3rd gear at 35 mph. I stomp on the brake pedal while tapping the gas with my heel. Clutch out. Hear turbo sing all the way up to the 6,200 rpm redline, and it’s time to repeat the process.
Driving a manual transmission car is just plain fun. Since I learned how to drive manual at age 11 in the state parking lots of New Hampshire on Sundays, I have been passionate about manual transmission cars, teaching friends and family the joys of driving.
But manuals also have practical purposes. That’s why college students should consider learning to drive and owning manual transmission vehicles.
A manual transmission car, as opposed to an automatic, requires the driver to select gears manually using a shift lever (or stick), and a clutch pedal, an extra pedal operated with the left foot which allows the driver to select gears. You can learn how to identify a transmission by its VIN number here.
Shifting between gears allows you to get the most power out of your car. Your involvement with the car makes a ride more than going from point A to point B; instead, the driving becomes an event itself. Driving a manual transmission vehicle at least once will give you a taste of the bug for which enthusiasts have fallen.
Why do so many car enthusiasts want to add more work to their driving? It has to do with the engagement. With a manual, the driver is in control of the car. Every shift, good or bad, is the driver’s responsibility. The driver can’t just throw a brick on the accelerator pedal and steer. He is an integral part of the car – the car isn’t driving him, he is driving the car.
Manuals also have practical benefits. They are usually cheaper to buy new, as automatic options increase the price by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Additionally, manual transmission cars, especially sports cars, are much more valuable on the used market than their automatic counterparts. For instance, a 2013 Chevy Corvette with an automatic is worth 10% less than a vehicle with a manual transmission, according to Hagerty, a premium car insurance and car valuation company.
Fixing manual transmission cars can also be less expensive. They are less complex than automatics, and manual parts last longer when used correctly. For students buying older cars, a manual can be a great option.
Manuals also often get better gas mileage. Parasitic power losses from the torque converter and hydraulic pump can rob an automatic-equipped car of fuel efficiency. Depending on driving style and road conditions, drivers can increase their fuel economy by as much as 15%, according to Consumer Reports.
While automatics are getting more advanced and can be faster in some cases, an average 10-year-old car with a manual accelerates faster than an automatic counterpart. For example, a 2009 Honda Civic goes 0-60 mph in eight seconds with a manual, but it takes almost a full second slower with an automatic.
Have you ever needed a jump start for your car? You won’t need cables with a manual. If you need to start a manual with a weak or dead battery, just ask for a push, roll it down a hill, or push it yourself and jump in. Pop the clutch, and you have started your car without battery power.
While manual transmissions account for only about 2% of sales in the United States today, as much as 80% of the vehicles sold in Europe and Asia have manual transmissions, according to Edmonds.com, so manual drivers are prepared for driving overseas. It can also be more costly to rent an automatic car in other countries.
Finally, owning a manual transmission car can also make you a better driver. With a manual, you have to have your eyes on the road and be aware of traffic changes around you. You’re in control of the car in a different way than you are in an automatic. Your gear selection is based on speed, but also traffic situation, terrain, and weather. This could benefit a younger driver in an age of many distractions.
Besides keeping you attentive, downshifting and upshifting can help decrease speed without braking and gain traction on slippery surfaces, making manual transmission cars safe when good tires cannot help.
Like cooking a handcrafted meal or making an artisan cup of coffee, manual transmission cars aren’t the quickest or easiest way to an end. It’s taking the road less traveled. They can be hard to learn at first, but the extra effort brings an unequal reward.