Automatic cars and young learner drivers
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galway_blow_in
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The reflexive attitude of " it's better to learn in a manual" is outdated and entirely cultural at this stage,we had such an extreme aversion to automatics for so long, driving an automatic was often viewed as not really driving at all
Saying you have to know how to drive a manual in 2025 is akin to saying you have to know how to write a letter with a pen
Saying you have to know how to drive a manual in 2025 is akin to saying you have to know how to write a letter with a pen
Some people are so fixated with this that a few manufacturers have dabbled with manual gear selectors, some like Honda and Toyota going as far as adding a dummy clutch pedal.
But hey, the vast majority of door close buttons on lifts are unconnected, but people feel better for having pressed them.
While I agree we are culturally and technology shifting to automatics .
Having a experience of a manual is still useful. You might be asked to drive a manual for a job and they can be a lot cheaper to hire on holidays. They can be cheaper to buy and maintain. Especially if buying an older car as first car. Many older cars are economically unviable to fix (for the budget sensitive motorist) due the cost of modern automatic gear box systems. It's shortening the life of used cars economic obsolescence.
We still tech people to write before handing them a mobile phone with AI.
Having a experience of a manual is still useful. You might be asked to drive a manual for a job and they can be a lot cheaper to hire on holidays. They can be cheaper to buy and maintain. Especially if buying an older car as first car. Many older cars are economically unviable to fix (for the budget sensitive motorist) due the cost of modern automatic gear box systems. It's shortening the life of used cars economic obsolescence.
We still tech people to write before handing them a mobile phone with AI.
Ceist Beag
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I didn't see many people saying "you have to know how to drive a manual". What I saw was people saying it might be useful. Your attitude is more along the lines of "why learn something that you can get by without knowing". Some people like to know how. The same people who maybe like to understand how things work so that they can fix them themselves (instead of leaving it to someone who knows as you don't have to know yourself). The same people who maybe like to grow their own, maybe even just to know how to. You never know if/when it might be useful.
BTW there is nothing wrong with learning how to write a letter with a pen either. You might not think it's useful but others do and I don't see the need to look down your nose at them.
We don't all need to move with the times at the same pace. Some of us like things to move a bit slower and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Funnily enough I tried a friend's automatic the other day, my first time using one, and I was awful. I kept slamming on the brake presumably because I was instinctively trying to use the clutch to change gear. It was very funny. I'm sure I'd get the hang of it but would need a little practice in a safe place... 
Usual technique is tuck your left leg back away from the pedals. Launching yourself through the windscreen is normal when learning..
People say they pick it up fast. Maybe because I still use a manual and an automatic and switch between them. It took me longer to break the habit.
I find the EV nicer than an ICE auto. But horses for courses, they all have their niches.
People say they pick it up fast. Maybe because I still use a manual and an automatic and switch between them. It took me longer to break the habit.
I find the EV nicer than an ICE auto. But horses for courses, they all have their niches.
galway_blow_in
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My point is within the context of claiming it's a necessity for learner drivers,I view that as making the learning exercise for a beginner more difficult
Hey I'm all for learning how to knit jumpers if someone wants to, it's a skill too
Hey I'm all for learning how to knit jumpers if someone wants to, it's a skill too
Yeah, I'll have to give it another go. Especially given that I'm considering changing to an EV sooner rather than later!
Handy trick is to take off your left shoe to help remind you not to use that foot.
Might this be related to you breaking the red light (allegedly)?
I learnt to drive an automatic in the car park of a hire car company in an airport in America . The car hire guy had to tell me to stop trying to use both feet . I got the hang of it by the time I got to the freeway . Had no choice .
I drive an EV now . Took 5 minutes to get used to , so easy
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