And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Until my most recent vehicle, I always had a standard transmission. I miss down shifting since I do not like breaking. It seems as if every single driver these days puts on their breaks for any reason or no reason at all.
Why I love my 2012 Camry, electronic shift and it works like a dream. My second favorite way of slowing down, first is taking my foot off the gas. Braking a distance third.
Pfft. The truly skillful driver can shift up and down the manual transmission while the car is is motion without using the clutch and without grinding the gears. It took me a long time to realize this was possible, and then another several years to get good at it. But with the demise of my last old truck, that skill has atrophied. But it's a bicycle skill: once learned you never forget how. It's easier to shift down without the clutch than to shift up, shifting down is learned first, then shift up is learned. For every vehicle speed and gear, there's a magic engine rpm where the desired next synchro is spinning at the same rate and you can shift smooth as silk. All you have to do is let off the gas a little bit so the engine torque is not pressing tight on the current synchro.
I don't know if that's what others call "double-clutching". Nobody ever taught me that technique, and I never figured out on my own, what exactly it is and is good for.
Some valets at hotels and restaurants have signs that say “no stick shifts” or the like. Nobody knows how to use them anymore, and they’re almost exstinct.
I'm an old guy that learned how to drive a log truck that had a five-speed main box and a four-speed auxiliary (aka: 'Brownie', short for Brown-Lipe) transmission. This was back in the '70s. Not only does it blow my mind that many people can't drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, it amazes me that manual transmissions are fast disappearing as an option in new vehicles.
It's a different time. That doesn't necessarily mean they are better times.
Young women can't play?
ReplyDeleteSure, they can enter their man in the contest!
DeleteDunno the age of that vehicle, but I’d double clutch that puppy, too
ReplyDeleteThis thing consumes the oil.
ReplyDeleteUntil my most recent vehicle, I always had a standard transmission. I miss down shifting since I do not like breaking. It seems as if every single driver these days puts on their breaks for any reason or no reason at all.
ReplyDeleteWhy I love my 2012 Camry, electronic shift and it works like a dream.
DeleteMy second favorite way of slowing down, first is taking my foot off the gas.
Braking a distance third.
Brake pads/shoes are designed to be replaced when worn.
DeleteEngine/transmission parts not so much.
The correct answer - brake pads cheap, clutches and transmissions not. I hardly ever downshift. Sounds neat, but largely unnecessary
DeletePfft. The truly skillful driver can shift up and down the manual transmission while the car is is motion without using the clutch and without grinding the gears. It took me a long time to realize this was possible, and then another several years to get good at it. But with the demise of my last old truck, that skill has atrophied. But it's a bicycle skill: once learned you never forget how. It's easier to shift down without the clutch than to shift up, shifting down is learned first, then shift up is learned. For every vehicle speed and gear, there's a magic engine rpm where the desired next synchro is spinning at the same rate and you can shift smooth as silk. All you have to do is let off the gas a little bit so the engine torque is not pressing tight on the current synchro.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if that's what others call "double-clutching". Nobody ever taught me that technique, and I never figured out on my own, what exactly it is and is good for.
This requires a synchronous transmission.
DeleteNow do the shifter on the column (no diagram to cheat by either).
ReplyDeleteUsually 3 gears, plus R. Not so bad
DeleteAh yes....a simpler time. That's when gas was what???? 25-36 cents a gallon?
ReplyDeleteSome valets at hotels and restaurants have signs that say “no stick shifts” or the like. Nobody knows how to use them anymore, and they’re almost exstinct.
ReplyDeleteI'm an old guy that learned how to drive a log truck that had a five-speed main box and a four-speed auxiliary (aka: 'Brownie', short for Brown-Lipe) transmission. This was back in the '70s. Not only does it blow my mind that many people can't drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, it amazes me that manual transmissions are fast disappearing as an option in new vehicles.
ReplyDeleteIt's a different time. That doesn't necessarily mean they are better times.
Dad came home with a Borgward - 4 speed on the column - we beat the crap out of it...
ReplyDelete