Myth: Manual & Automatic

Since the creating of automobile, the technology has evolved through the century. From simple mechanically machine to advanced sophisticated technology. Through the century, automobile have been using manual and automatic transmission. In recent time the manual cars have reach to extinctions zone which over 90% of the new car produce where fully automatic (AMT, Torque Converter AT, CVT, DCT/DSG and etc.) leaving the lower percentage for surviving manual vehicles. The progress of mankind lead to more comfortable ride which offer most on the automatic vehicles. By the end of decade, it is predicted the manual transmission would cease to exist in addition of the EV development. Although the Car Enthusiast are very optimist the number would not go down in near future.

    Are manual cars being relics from the past when technology breakthrough has not been discovered? It is a no and yes answer depending who we ask. Some car euthanistic and purist claim that driving manual cars having the only experiences that cannot be found while driving an automatic car. When we driving and manual car, the experience of the shifting gears, rev matching and the adrenalin rush are intense than driving automatic car. In contrast, automatic car giving the best comfort for all driving condition especially on heavy traffic.

    But, does driving manual car in the traffic would kill down your left foot for long time? To answer this, we need to understand the basic understanding of the manual car itself. Different from automatic car, manual car having three pedals to operate. When turning the ignition on, the gear level would set to neutral before engaging a gear. By pressing the clutch, enter the gear level to the 1^st gear and release the clutch carefully to avoid the engine stall (Shocked cause by immediately release of clutch to make engine stop). Another tip is to blip some accelerator when release the clutch after ready the clutch bite to avoid engine stalling every time. After that, continue to press the accelerator until reached 20-40 kmph (2300-4000rpm) then press the clutch, disengaged the gear and engaged to 2^nd gear and finally release the clutch carefully and press the accelerator. Repeat this step for engaged to 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th or 6^th and above. Done in sequentially order. For downshifting, it is advisable to rev matching before engage the lower gear. A good rev matching would guarantee none jerky movement of sudden downshift. First step to downshift is to decelerated by stepping the brake or the gravity action. When the car decelerated, press the clutch and disengaged the gear and engaged the lower gear (for example 5^th to 4^th) but blip the throttle before full release the clutch. Another method by using heel and toe technique, press the brake using right leg, and the repeat the regular downshifting but the right leg stay in the brake while blipping the throttle with the other part of right leg (this technique required a lot of practice, Even I took about months to familiarize this technique.)

    Consequently, the using of clutch for manual car only need when upshifting and downshifting. The left foot is barely touch and the right foot doing 83% of driving when using manual car. Some people suffer pain of left foot because inaccurate way to driving a manual car by holding the clutch on heavy traffic (which could cause the tear and wear on the clutch disk). The holding clutch practice is use when the car needs extra traction when moving uphill, but as soon as the car catch up with the speed, the left leg finished it job and drive as usual. In other side, driving automatic simplify the works for shifting and let the car travelled from point A to B.

    In Conclusion, by changing the driving habit on manual car. We can save our left foot from unnecessary fatigue and money from tear and wear on the transmission. This is just a free thought and some factual notice.