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2015 Subaru Forester 6MT Shifter

Save the Manual Transmissions

Gear

Clutch in. Twist the key. Move shifter to 1st.  Apply throttle, release the clutch and away you go.  

No Longer the Default

Once ubiquitous in vehicles, the manual transmission is quickly being phased out in favor of automatic transmissions.  At one point in time the automatic transmission was a costly option, but with increased popularity and convenience, it is now the default.  Simply finding any vehicle with a manual transmission is difficult, at least within the USA.  Modern automatic transmissions have sophisticated computers that work with the engine to optimize shifting to save fuel and put the most power to the ground.  This is a win-win for anyone that just wants transportation or wants to have the absolutely fastest vehicle.  But not everyone wants to simply be transported, and not everyone wants the fastest vehicle. 

Get in Gear

Driving a manual transmission starts with choosing the right gear to have an appropriate engine RPM for the speed the vehicle is moving.  But simply matching RPM’s and vehicle speed is like playing an instrument in 3rd grade beginning band; it works, but there’s clearly room for improvement.  Driving a manual transmission is an art form where the artist is actively involved and constantly adjusting.  It takes a finesse to change gears without jostling your passengers.  It takes a familiarity with the vehicle to do it effortlessly.  Driving with a manual takes reading the changes in upcoming traffic, hills, curves, road condition and weather to know how to manage applying power and torque through the gearbox to the road.  

VW Beetle Pedal Cluster

Joy of Driving

More than an art form, driving a manual transmission is a way to connect with the vehicle and the diving experience.  It provides a way to become a part of the machine; to interact with the mechanical systems propelling you down the road.  Every shift is a refinement of technique learned through years of practice.  And yes, even after decades, we all stall at an intersection once in a while.  When do you shift?  When it feels right.  And it varies every time.  As the driver, you get to decide.  No matter how much you describe it with words, the only way to know is to get behind the wheel and start driving.  Only when you’re an integral part of the driving process can you enjoy the experience.  And that is why we want to save the manual transmission.  Because we enjoy the experience.