Advice From an Auto Mechanic: Why Everyone Should Learn to Drive Stick 

Automatic transmission is the go-to for most people in the market for a new car. While most models today are equipped with automatic transmissions, there are many benefits to driving the old-fashioned way. Manual transmission or “stick shift” is the standard for older vehicles, and as a future auto mechanic, your knowledge of these vehicles will help you to perform repairs on them and help customers to understand their options when selecting their next car.

Learning to drive stick is a whole different ball game than driving an automatic transmission vehicle, requiring drivers to coordinate between working the gas pedal and the clutch pedal and shifting the gears. However, for the seasoned car buff, the everyday driver, and especially the aspiring auto mechanic, learning to drive a manual transmission vehicle is worthwhile. In addition to generally being cheaper and requiring less maintenance, manual transmission vehicles shouldn’t be overlooked for a few key reasons. Explore some of them below.

An Auto Mechanic Would Suggest Manual Transmission Because It’s More Fuel Efficient 

Though many new automatic transmission vehicles are more fuel efficient than ever, when it comes to used or older vehicles, this isn’t always the case. An experienced auto mechanic would suggest that anyone searching for a used vehicle who wants to save on fuel will want to opt for a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. Because the gears are shifted by the driver, a manual vehicle’s engine doesn’t have to work as hard as an automatic engine to change gears, resulting in enhanced fuel efficiency.

Stick Shift Could Help Prevent Distracted Driving 

Multi-tasking is already extremely dangerous when operating an automatic vehicle, but because so much coordination and focus is required to operate a manual car, distracted driving is next to impossible when driving  stick, as both the driver’s hands and feet are needed for shifting. As technology advances, distracted driving has become more common, and the consequences are dire. For example, according to the National Safety Council, texting while driving causes 1.6 million crashes each year. This can be avoided when drivers are forced to focus on operating their vehicles when driving manually.

Driving Stick Offers More Control 

Drivers in a manual vehicle control the power that moves from the engine to the wheels at all times. This is beneficial in many situations, such as bad weather or adverse road conditions. In such conditions, drivers can choose the gear that best suits their needs, choosing a lower gear to gain more control or reduce the need for braking on longer downhills. If you’re currently taking auto mechanic courses, you’ll learn more about the inner workings of a vehicle, enabling you to apply your training to ensure optimal performance in any stick-shift vehicle. 

It’s Fun! 

Many people, car lovers, in particular, find manual transmission vehicles more fun to drive. This is because it’s a more engaging and tactile experience, allowing for a better connection between vehicle and driver. Most sports cars and high-performance vehicles are stick shifts as well, and by building this skill, drivers can opt for a more exciting range of vehicles to choose from. If these benefits of driving a stick shift are appealing to you, learning about the inner workings of these vehicles by training to become a mechanic could be right for you!

Ready to start auto tech technician training in Vancouver? 

Contact ATC Surrey for more information!