Learn to Drive in a Manual..... Should it be Mandatory ? - Page 2

Rodp · 10-02-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

If you don't know what gear your car is in at any given time auto or manual, you're not concentrating hard enough or you don't know your car well enough.

With current gearbox technology?

If I put you in the passenger seat of my car, turned the radio up to a reasonable level, I bet you wouldn't know what gear it was in. It flies through 6 gears and the only way you would know it had changed gears would be by listening to the exhaust note.

In an auto, you shouldn't need to concentrate and be aware of what gear you are in as it's inconsequential.

kinksta · 10-02-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

If you don't know what gear your car is in at any given time auto or manual, you're not concentrating hard enough or you don't know your car well enough. That bloke with the Explorer strikes me as a liar and attentin seeker, no one has found any problem with his car as yet. And I don't know about the rest of you, but the first thing that came to my head when I heard was, 'why didn't he shift into neutural?', it's just common sense. Manuals are not long for this world. Many manufacturers don't carry a true manual in all model lines now, the latest Ferrari has paddleshifts I think, and even some new trucks and comercials being released aren't manuals, rather they are autos with manual over ride function. I will never have a need to drive a manual, my first car was a Fairmont, my second a Fairmont Ghia, my next either XR6T or G6ET with the 6sp auto, why should I have to learn manual

yea spot on mate. i have no need for a manual either. doesn't make me a lesser driver. I have no need to be, "Dropping big fish hook's/rollback's.. Big flatty change's into second.." 6sp auto is fun for me. Fair enough for those who are race car drivers, but i'm not. By the time I have kids manuals will be only on "old cars"...

kinksta · 10-02-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

IMO if you cant drive a manual you cant really drive.

can you tell me what "real driving" is?? Because I'm pretty sure I have, and still can, and I drive alot of miles...

T3man · 10-02-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zdcol71

Agree to a certain extent, but firmly believe that as a parent I need to be a part of the learning process. I think it's far too easy for parents to pass their kids off to driving instructors and not know what they are actually learning

In my "perfect world" if a parent wanted to be part of the process no problem. BUT the parent would first have to sit through the same accreditation process that the driving instructor has to complete. No good having different standards or parents disagreeing with (or not understanding) what their child is being taught.

To clarify where I'm coming from on this (my background) ... I have been a driving instructor (and defensive driving and advanced driving instructor) since 1975. In my experience parents are generally the worst influence on a learner.

Feathers · 10-02-2010, 02:21 PM

I had no choice when I was learning. Dad said I was driving a manual and that was it. I hated it to begin with, but by the time I bought the XR6 5 years later, it was one of the 2 stipulations I had on what I wanted (Blueprint, manual).

It came in handy when I started driving buses as well.
All but one of our vehicles is manual, and the only auto has no power steering. I'd much rather drive any of the manuals.

As soon as Dad finishes rebuilding his truck, I'll be upgrading to a HC licence with a crash gearbox.

XR6_661 · 10-02-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

In my experience parents are generally the worst influence on a learner.

Fair call. My parents taught me some bad ways of doing things.

End of the day, it comes down to the individual. Make them doing every driving course under the sun, train them from a young age, etc...no matter what you'll still get the small percentage that even having been properly trained will still become statistics.

On topic, I think at least one lesson should be done in a manual vehicle for the trainer to gauge wether or not the learner will be competent enough driving a manual. If they deem them not to be, 'alright, auto for you.'

zdcol71 · 10-02-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

In my "perfect world" if a parent wanted to be part of the process no problem. BUT the parent would first have to sit through the same accreditation process that the driving instructor has to complete. No good having different standards or parents disagreeing with (or not understanding) what their child is being taught.

To clarify where I'm coming from on this (my background) ... I have been a driving instructor (and defensive driving and advanced driving instructor) since 1975. In my experience parents are generally the worst influence on a learner.

Couldn't agree more. btw, hope I didn't come across as questioning driving instructors. Couple of points.. 100 Hrs of mandatory learning is going to be extremely expensive, (time spent with accredited instructor is actually worth double hours, and I don't want to sound like I am putting a price on road safety, but it is an expensive excercise, particularly if those hours have been spent simply to get the "road rules" part right to pass a test.
I have driven accident free since 1976, and have undertaken advanced driving (and riding)courses, and think that that needs to be recognised as of benefit to your kids learning. Granted, there a a lot of ^&$%# out there who you would hope are not going to be passing on their attitudes to future drivers, and I think that any body who is going to be giving lessons on how to drive a vehicle should have some formal recognition, if not in the form of instructor certification, then a little more than a peer who has a couple of years up there sleeve that they can drive around with their mates while under the pretence of teaching them to drive.

super roo · 10-02-2010, 02:40 PM

Having read through this thread and being an older driver that did their learner, P plate driving all on manuals,you do not drive an automatic, you" Aim it " where you want to go.
To be a good driver everybody should learn to drive a manual properly.

LANKY 1 · 10-02-2010, 02:44 PM

It's simply cooler to have a manual!!
also a mandentory 20hrs paddock bashing should be introduced, u then learn car control

Auslandau · 10-02-2010, 02:53 PM

Good God! Some Learners drivers can't indicate and look where they are going at the same time, let alone worry about pushing a clutch in and changing gears! Teach them how to drive on the road and learn whats happening out there instead of teaching them how to operate a car. You can teach anyone to drive a car manually or what ever but getting them to actually use the road properly is another matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

If you don't know what gear your car is in at any given time auto or manual, you're not concentrating hard enough or you don't know your car well enough.

Really dont think that matters in an auto? Shouldn't you be concentrating on the surrounds rather than worrying what happening in your car? Make things simple as the less desractions in the operation of the car must be a good thing for anyone ... especially new drivers? I want to think that other drivers are looking at me rather than thinking about anything else including what gear they are supposed to be in.
.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Driving becomes part of the school curriculum. You do all your theory and much of the ab initio training BEFORE you get taught all the wrong things by your parents/mates/whatever.

This really does need to happen if the g'ment is serious on things .... but it wont as baking a cake is apparently more important.

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Fiesta God · 10-02-2010, 03:10 PM

P-platers should only be allowed to own and drive manual cars.

They couldn't muck around with phones, iPods, mp3 players and music systems. They need both hands active, and they are forced to concentrate more on the road, observe the actions of other drivers, and learn control of the car ...

ThePistonHead · 10-02-2010, 03:12 PM

This is simply too impractical on every level to happen, plus i struggle to see the relationship between increased driving skill and driving a manual, coming from someone that has driven both.

flappist · 10-02-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta God

P-platers should only be allowed to own and drive manual cars.

They couldn't muck around with phones, iPods, mp3 players and music systems. They need both hands active, and they are forced to concentrate more on the road, observe the actions of other drivers, and learn control of the car ...

But if P platers can not SMS while driving then how would they communicate with the other passengers in the car.....

imugli · 10-02-2010, 03:18 PM

Yes, for one reason and one reason only. If you're at a house and there's an emergency and you need to get someone to hospital and there's only a manual in the driveway.

Auslandau · 10-02-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imugli

Yes, for one reason and one reason only. If you're at a house and there's an emergency and you need to get someone to hospital and there's only a manual in the driveway.

......... ring an ambulance. Cannot see a reason what so ever.

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makattkd · 10-02-2010, 03:30 PM

Not one person in my family owns or has ever owned an auto car. Learnt to drive in a manual, always driven a manual. On the odd occasion I drive a company car which is auto and I hate it, always go for the non-existant clutch, blah blah blah.

Feel much more in control in a manual, and in the unlikely event something goes wrong there is plenty of options any person with a brain can undertake.

One thing that springs to mind (an is unlikely to happen i know, but is an example of control), say you break down on a train crossing (i know sounds unlikely), anyway in a manual you can put it in gear and crank the starter motor to move it off. In an auto what can you do???? Walk away and hope to god no train is coming???

DBourne · 10-02-2010, 03:38 PM

No.

If someone has no interest in driving, then why make them?

They'll just be more of a nuisance.

Is it smart to learn manual so that in a situation whereby a manual car is your only means of transport? yes

JamesR · 10-02-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makattkd

One thing that springs to mind (an is unlikely to happen i know, but is an example of control), say you break down on a train crossing (i know sounds unlikely), anyway in a manual you can put it in gear and crank the starter motor to move it off. In an auto what can you do???? Walk away and hope to god no train is coming???

id holler for a Marshall personally

or just push...

Rodp · 10-02-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makattkd

One thing that springs to mind (an is unlikely to happen i know, but is an example of control), say you break down on a train crossing (i know sounds unlikely), anyway in a manual you can put it in gear and crank the starter motor to move it off. In an auto what can you do???? Walk away and hope to god no train is coming???

That's really clutching at straws to suggest why you're better off in a manual. I guess pushing it off the tracks never sprung to mind?

belvo · 10-02-2010, 03:50 PM

im on my learners now and i only have auto cars but i have done lessons in manual and after abiut 2-3 hours of driving it became preaty easy and it funner than driving auto

kinksta · 10-02-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

That's really clutching at straws to suggest why you're better off in a manual. I guess pushing it off the tracks never sprung to mind?

hahahaa, pretty sure majority would at least try and push haha

kinksta · 10-02-2010, 03:56 PM

can I just say one thing that annoys me on the road, here I am with my 6sp auto at the stop lights, light goes green, and the little shhh box infront cannot maintain a speed. speed up, now to change gear..here we go...hang on...into second, now lets build up more steam...hang on...gear change time....any second now...UGH. just get an auto and traffic will flow smoother. haha

Also to all those fully sick drivers who love to drop a gear to accelerate infront of people, you are giving your girlfriend next to you whiplash everytime you change gears and take off, then slow down, and bam whiplash again.

Riksta · 10-02-2010, 04:13 PM

At the time I was coming up to turning 16 and getting my L's, the family car was a real base-pack XF Falcon.

My parents refused to let me learn in it because:
- It was auto
- It had no power steering
- It was "too powerful"
- It was "too big"

I had a bit of cash saved up, and they basically said "its a manual driving school car only, or go buy your own manual to learn in".

Went and bought a 1974 Corolla.

As well as being a parental requirement to learn to drive in a manual, before I got my P's and could drive by myself, they also made me jack it up and take a wheel off, put the spare on, and bring it down again. Then, repeat to put the original wheel back on.

I do think that manual should be mandatory. Who knows when a situation may arise where you may NEED to drive a manual?

But I also think the tyre change thing and some sort of real basic maintenance (how to check your oil & coolant and top up if required for example) should also be taught as part of getting the licence.

left · 10-02-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

Manual mandatory would be good - but it's impractical. Not all families own manual cars. Mine didn't when I was learning

+1. I learned to drive - and sat my test - in an auto Budget rent a car. Two days total driving experience. Shortly thereafter I, funnily enough, nearly totalled my brand new Excel leaving the dealership ...and I only lived (literally) across the street

NB: I have improved since then!

WarNerve · 10-02-2010, 04:51 PM

on this issue i say that they should make a learning center for ALL to attend and in they should learn how to drive a manual atl;east a little.

this will solve on issue of learning how to control a car better and the bigger issue on our roads.
Too many times i see stupid people who cant drive teaching thier kids how not to drive.
these kids then pass a test and we have more people that dont know how to drive.

a few times now i have had a learn do something wrong then thier parent try to blame me at the lights at which point i tell the parent they need to learn to drive before trying to spew their useless inability to drive on their offspring. (i then say to the learner its not your fault your mum/dad cant drive for ********)

SLO AU XR8 · 10-02-2010, 04:55 PM

I learnt to drive in a large variety of differing cars, the first car I drove was a FWD Auto, then RWD Auto, my driving school car was the first manual I drove, and it was a Manual Supercharged FWD. After the driving school car, Dad's car was written off, so my folks bought a 1968 Mk2 Cortina, column manual with no Power steering. I also drove that on my learners, it gives you an understanding of how different cars can be, and how to handle the differences. For the last 2 years of my Provisional licence, I drove a Manual AU XR8, I have had my opens for almost 6 months now, and shock horror, I'm still alive... Learning how different cars handle should be a requirement to obtain your licence.

seedywagon · 10-02-2010, 05:09 PM

I find auto drivers brake way too late into corners

dannyxm · 10-02-2010, 05:18 PM

Should you not have the co-ordination to drive a manual you should not be able to get a licence.

Period.

Joshmcmillan · 10-02-2010, 05:23 PM

Manual driving isn't that hard, they wouldn't actually have to do a practical test in one to understand how they work enough for in emergencies, but of coarse a practical lesson would help.

When I had my L's we only had 2 auto's, but I'd always driven manual tractors and I could drive a manual fine after 1 practice drive (now we own one and I drive it regularly.
One silly thing also about the separated licenses, I am able to drive a manual on my automatic Red P license, but I have to have a fully licensed driver with me, yet I'm able to drive with someone who has no idea about manuals. I taught my sister how to drive a manual when she'd never driven one, and was able to drive out to a quiet spot with her but it would be illegal if she wasn't with me. Looking forward to getting my green P's so I can drive manuals by myself as I've always liked them and my next car will be one definitely.

Antwon · 10-02-2010, 05:23 PM

I learnt in an auto because both mine and Mums cars were auto, I also got lessons in an auto just so it was easier to pass the test.

Then my Mum taught me to drive manual by us going out and test driving new cars, and when the salesman didnt come along she would go around the corner and we swapped around.

Then my Boss at Tyrepower taught me to feel for the grab point so I could put them on the hoist.