Elyse's Interesting Fact Expanded
I intensely dislike driving automatic transmission vehicles. They are the blight of my driving career. Even when I was learning how to drive, I never felt truly in control of a car unless I was driving a stick shift. The moment I had my learner’s permit, I begged my dad to teach me how to drive with a clutch. Ever since then, when I’ve had a choice, I’ve been in control of a manual transmission automobile.
Maybe part of the reason I don’t care for them is I’m afraid I’ll mess something up when I drive. I’ve been driving a manual for so long, it’s hard to keep my foot from trying to find the clutch when it’s time to shift. My foot stamps repeatedly on the floor of the car trying to find the clutch pedal. Instead of finding a clutch pedal, my foot usually finds the brake. Also, my hand automatically reaches for the gearshift, frantically attempting to shift gears. What’s there, instead, is not to shift the car into different driving forward gears, but all kinds of other gears. I’ve unintentionally shifted into one of the lower drive gears while driving an automatic. Not what you want to have happen while driving down the road.
I suppose what I really like about driving a manual transmission is the control. I have dominion over the car and the car is subject to me. Call me a control freak if you will, but it’s my car. When I’m in my car, it’s up to me to make sure my car can handle whatever I encounter. Instead of having the decision wrested from me, I get to decide what gear to use when, and I like it.
Maybe part of the reason I don’t care for them is I’m afraid I’ll mess something up when I drive. I’ve been driving a manual for so long, it’s hard to keep my foot from trying to find the clutch when it’s time to shift. My foot stamps repeatedly on the floor of the car trying to find the clutch pedal. Instead of finding a clutch pedal, my foot usually finds the brake. Also, my hand automatically reaches for the gearshift, frantically attempting to shift gears. What’s there, instead, is not to shift the car into different driving forward gears, but all kinds of other gears. I’ve unintentionally shifted into one of the lower drive gears while driving an automatic. Not what you want to have happen while driving down the road.
I suppose what I really like about driving a manual transmission is the control. I have dominion over the car and the car is subject to me. Call me a control freak if you will, but it’s my car. When I’m in my car, it’s up to me to make sure my car can handle whatever I encounter. Instead of having the decision wrested from me, I get to decide what gear to use when, and I like it.
posted by Anonymous | 7:37 PM
1 Comments:
I drive a clutch, too- and it's true- they are WAY more fun to drive. I like the control and the thought manual transmission cars require... it keeps me focused on the road. Nice to know I'm not the only one who loves to drive clutch!
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