Going back to manual from automatic?

peter12345678910

I think their is a skill in gear change, but is more to do with knowing the route, how lights change,knowing what is around a corner etc whereas an automatic cannot understand the road map.

When I am in a high gear, sometimes I just go into neutral with a nudge without touching the clutch, this is what I meant by driving manual in a semi automatic style.

Iceweasel

peter12345678910 wrote: »

I think their is a skill in gear change, but is more to do with knowing the route, how lights change,knowing what is around a corner etc whereas an automatic cannot understand the road map.

When I am in a high gear, sometimes I just go into neutral with a nudge without touching the clutch, this is what I meant by driving manual in a semi automatic style.

The latest auto-boxes are connected to GPS sat-nav data and know when they are approaching hills and corners.

It's called predictive gear-changing.

As for gear-changing skills being associated with knowing the route - how do you get on when on holiday or on trips abroad - rubbish gear-changes? I hope not.

Gloomendoom

peter12345678910 wrote: »

I think their is a skill in gear change, but is more to do with knowing the route, how lights change,knowing what is around a corner etc whereas an automatic cannot understand the road map.

Some can. They are linked to the satnav

When I am in a high gear, sometimes I just go into neutral with a nudge without touching the clutch, this is what I meant by driving manual in a semi automatic style.

Good for you.

Why?

takman

rev_henry wrote: »

On the odd occasion I've tried this I've had exactly this experience. Car came to a very sudden halt despite me thinking I was braking very gently.

Honest John is constantly extolling the benefits of it.

I have an auto and often drive manuals for work. First time I did it after getting the auto I was amazed how I could still just do it without thinking about it.
The only issues I have are stalling (I always do at least once every time I drive a manual) and rolling backwards when I'm meant to be stationary. I hardly ever use the handbrake in my auto, so completely forget that I need to if I'm stationary in a manual. Does feel a bit weird going straight into an auto within a few mins of a manual though.

The handbrake in a Manual has the same function as the handbrake in an automatic; it's used when parking the car. I never use the handbrake when driving I use the footbrake when I stop then when you pull away you release the brake as the clutch bites so you don't roll back.


I think the reason that autos are not a default choice by most people is because only the new ones are better all round than a manual. For the price of my car (£1500 - 3 years ago) I couldn't get an auto that would do 50MPG and be big enough and powerful enough to tow my caravan.

thescouselander

My own car is an auto but the Mrs has a manual and I also drive manual cars when away with work. Auto is definately the way forward imo - there should be no need to change gear manually in this day and age.

150940

takman wrote: »

The handbrake in a Manual has the same function as the handbrake in an automatic; it's used when parking the car. I never use the handbrake when driving I use the footbrake when I stop then when you pull away you release the brake as the clutch bites so you don't roll back.


I think the reason that autos are not a default choice by most people is because only the new ones are better all round than a manual. For the price of my car (£1500 - 3 years ago) I couldn't get an auto that would do 50MPG and be big enough and powerful enough to tow my caravan.

Yeah, you just sit blinding people at traffic lights once it's dark.

150940

peter12345678910 wrote: »

I think their is a skill in gear change, but is more to do with knowing the route, how lights change,knowing what is around a corner etc whereas an automatic cannot understand the road map.

When I am in a high gear, sometimes I just go into neutral with a nudge without touching the clutch, this is what I meant by driving manual in a semi automatic style.

So you're not in full control of your vehicle.

rev_henry

peter12345678910 wrote: »

I prefer manual, as I use double clutch quite a bit.

I can run on gear 5 over 30mph with Zetec hardly any revs as long as it is not going upwards.

Also I do not change from gear 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to 1 as we all have to do during our driving test, I just go from 5 to double clutch, with one pinball nudge.

I drive manual in a semi automatic style.

No one has been taught to do that for years, skipping gears is expected for a driving test depending on the road.
Also why are you double declutching? Have you not heard of syncromesh?

Iceweasel

Skipping gears is a perfectly correct procedure when the situation demands it.

Nudging the gear lever into neutral without using the clutch is easy - but pointless as unless you are going to select the next gear without the clutch you'll need to de-clutch anyway.

Changing gear without using the clutch at all is of course possible but also pointless.

Double de-clutching might make a nice impressive sound but it also is pointless on a synchro box.

I think you are a wannabee racing driver - the only problem is that racing drivers haven't had to do those thing for the last 30 years.

=rizla=

prowla wrote: »

I quite like changing down through the gears as I decelerate though.

I used to as well, but 10 years ago I had one of those track driving experiences, the instructor who sat with me didn't like it at all, gears are for going, BRAKES are for slowing!!! He said using gears to slow down upsets the balance of the car and can get you into a sticky situation.


About the same time I read an article that said gears for slowing was from an era where brakes were rubbish, nowadays with better brakes, and the fact brake pad/shoes are cheaper to replace than clutches you shouldn't slow with the gears, unless using engine braking for hills.