What Makes Driving A Manual Transmission Car Enjoyable? - Vol.276
It should be common knowledge by now that some cars have an automatic transmission while others have a manual transmission. For those who don't know what the difference is this will help. An automatic transmission is simple, you get in the car, put in drive and go, the transmission makes the appropriate gear changes at the appropriate time. A manual transmission is a little more hands on, you utilize a third pedal known as a clutch in combination with the gas, and a stick shifter to manually shift through the gears. It is up to you to determine the appropriate time to shift, and which gear to shift into. That being said, what is it that makes driving a manual transmission fun for many people?
The first time you set out to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission it can be a little intimidating to many people, especially if you have always driven an automatic. Not only do you have to learn to shift, you also have to learn to use both feet to drive. With practice you will realize that it is not hard, and actually quite enjoyable.
Driving a vehicle with a manual transmission allows you to exercise much greater control over the vehicle (which can be exciting in itself to many), the ability to use the clutch and shifter to control the vehicle, such as down shifting or using the engine to slow the vehicle. Not to mention that whether up shifting or down shifting the engine makes a distinctive sound that is very enjoyable to hear, even more so on a sports car.
Driving a manual transmission can make you feel as though you are driving a high performance vehicle, even if you're not, which can be a very enjoyable and fun experience. Because of the hands on nature of a manual transmission, you become more connected to your vehicle which also makes for a much more enjoyable driving experience. This also makes you more alert, you must constantly pay attention, making you safer on the road because you are more aware of what is going on. You may also notice little problems with your vehicle sooner, due to the fact that you pay closer attention to the sound of your engine to know when to shift, this can save you money which is always fun.
Another thing that makes driving a manual transmission, so much fun, especially in the United States is the fact that they are few and far between. More and more vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions, even some sports cars. Some don't even have the option of a manual transmission, this makes them rare or exotic to many people, and driving something rare or exotic is always fun.
For other people it may be a way for them to gain the feeling of a childhood dream. All of us had friends growing up, male ad female that dreamed of being a race car driver when they grew up. Unfortunately, this is not a dream that is attainable by everyone, but to some driving down the interstate, or on a winding road, shifting through the gears and hearing the engine roar is just as fun and exciting and makes them feel like a race car driver.
To put it simply automatics are boring, you get in, start the engine, put it in drive, and go. A vehicle with a manual transmission offers you a total driving experience, in a sense making the vehicle an extension of your own body, which is a fun, rewarding, and enjoyable way to drive.