I’m doing the driving lessons and I dread them every time. I don’t feel like I’m improving much and it’s just stressful. I feel like giving up. I’m only going because I passed the theory exam with that school, and i would had to spend more money (that I don’t have) if I start again with other school, basically I’m too deep into it to stop.
Btw I now understand the hate towards manual cars. Automatic should be the only option, one less BIG distraction on the road, especially when you’re new on these things, being too soft or too rough on the clutch is a matter of millimeters is ridiculous, watching the road, the signs, the traffic lights, the cars around you, the stupid people with their bikes, while fumbling in the car with the pedals is the worst… (unfortunately you must learn manual where I’m living).
I bus to work, it takes only five minutes more than me driving, and is only five dollars a day, and I get to read or listen to podcasts or whatever and not think about traffic or bad drivers. The only downside is obnoxious passengers on occasion and people who smell bad. I don’t love driving at all.
I taught my older daughter to drive a manual car and I really wish I had a reasonable manual car to teach my younger daughter. She will learn, but it will be like driving a tank. Not the most fun.
Your hate towards manual transmissions is exactly why it’s now an anti-theft device. If the thieves don’t show to drive it, it won’t be stolen.
My oldest daughter is trying to buy a manual transmission car now. It’s very hard to find…
It gets easy, manual is better because I’m more focused on everything. It doesn’t take that long to learn.
To make driving more appealing, I suggest living in an unwalkable American Midwest purgatory where there’s fuck-all to do but watch tractors circle fields or meth
You will begin to associate the positive emotions of escape and freedom with driving, which will make you enjoy it a lot more
Your mileage may vary, but it worked great for me
I hated learning how to drive, and only really started to tolerate it once I got a new driving teacher. I actually like driving now, mostly because it’s one of the few times where I can turn my brain off while not being unfocused.
With that said…I have no idea why Americans (not assuming OP is American, but know it’s rare over there) have such an issue with manual cars. My family has both manual and automatic, and I prefer manual because it’s much easier to have control. It has never, ever been a distraction for me.
Learning the clutch friction point, especially for a new driver, can be a challenge. Even after being experienced with driving manual for years, two things I still hate about them are stop-and-go traffic and taking off on a hill when someone is right on your ass.
My very first lessons were around just this, getting used to the bite point where the clutch needs to be to roll forward, and where you start to apply the accelerator. We practiced a few times on different levels of road, and within maybe 1-2 lessons it was fine.
With that said, I can see it being much harder if you’re already experienced or have passed a test, as it is a new skill to learn. It’s a bit like riding a bike in that aspect, I guess.
One thing that helped me relax when learning to drive: 99% of the time you only need to worry about what’s directly in front of you. Unless you’re changing lanes or backing up that’s your main priority. Yeah it’s good to be a defensive driver and anticipate things and that will come with time. Don’t be overstimulated by every detail around you, know what to focus on. I hope this helps you relax like it did me
I strongly disagree with this advice. A driver should try to be aware of all of their surroundings at all times. This may not be practical 100% of the time depending on your mental capacity and what you’re doing but you should still try.
Driving safely is difficult. People who shy away from this difficulty kill people.
Practice your manual driving in a big open parking lot or something. Somewhere you don’t have to worry about rules of the road while still figuring out your muscle memory for shifting. Like everything else, it’ll become second nature in time.
As with most things, it gets easier with practice. After enough practice, you’ll find many of the actions and reactions of driving will become habits you do automatically. Which is one of the reasons it’s a good idea to practice good habits now, as practice makes permanent. Take your time, and try to be predictable to other drivers (use your signals, don’t make radical maneuvers). And don’t let the assholes who think the horn is an “I’m annoyed at you” button get to you. Fuck them and the camel that came on them. Take your time and make sure you are driving your car in a way you can control.
As for learning on a manual, yes that increases the difficulty. Depending on the specific vehicle, it can make it easier or harder. Some clutches will let you get away with murder, others will murder you for being less than perfect. Many years ago, my brother owned a car with a clutch that was just brutal. It would go from “not engaging” to “fully engaged” within the slightest movement. My truck, on the other hand, the clutch was so forgiving, you damn near couldn’t stall it. Thankfully, I learned to drive a stick on my truck and when I tried my brother’s car, it took a lot less time to get used to it. As above, take your time and it will come to you with practice.
A good way to learn the friction point of a clutch is to find some flat ground (somewhere you can practice and not worry about traffic or pedestrians) and come to a complete stop.
Put the car into first gear and without touching the accelerator or brake, very, very slowly bring the clutch pedal up. You’ll feel the engine begin to bog down the further the pedal comes off the floor. Push the clutch back down and repeat until you feel comfortable with where the clutch is “catching”.
Once you can reliably find this spot in the clutch pedal’s travel, begin adding in some throttle to help you take off a little quicker.
I’ve taught others to drive manual and this is a good way to build the muscle memory that helps when driving on the road so you don’t have to think about it.
Maybe that helps but either way good luck on your journey!
Mate, you have zero experience how to drive but feel the need to tell others what is save and what not?
Can people please shut up talking about topics they know nothing about?!
It definitely gets easier after muscle memory kicks in. Doesn’t really make a difference if manual or automatic.
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I don’t hear anyone hating on manual cars where I live. They may prefer and pay extra to buy an automatic but they don’t hate on manual.
Anyway it’s all about practice, manual or not.
FUCK NO. I hated driving lessons, but I love driving ever since I got my license. It took me almost a decade to figure out why. First, I hate other people telling me where to go. GPS, no problem, but Kevin over here telling me to take a left 1 second before I’m past the intersection iterates me so much. I can’t concentrate on signs or the road if I have to constantly anticipate so arbitrary direction.
Also, not driving my own car makes me anxious. It feels like the car is 2 ft wider on the outside but more cramped on the inside. My field of view narrows, and I get clumsy on the clutch. All because my brain is on a constant loop of ‘this isn’t mine, don’t wreck it, this isn’t mine, don’t wreck it’.
Driving isn’t stressful, doing it by the book is. On the road you just go with the flow. If you turn the wrong way into a one way street, you wave, say sorry and back out again. If you take somebodies right of way and nothing bad happened then you just move on. Its not like the police is waiting around every corner. Driving lessons hold you to a way higher standard then most people adhere to on the road.
My two cents: don’t look at anything inside that car at all. Listen to the engine to know when to shift, go a speed that feels comfortable and is a bit slower than other cars. Forgive yourself when the engine stalls or you drive in the ‘wrong’ gear for a bit. If you got behind the wheel and didn’t hit anything, you’re won driving.
I remember that feeling. It goes by with experience. I love driving and I’d never buy an automatic as long as there’s a manual alternative.
I sometimes wish I still had a manual transmission for more interaction in the driving experience, but they’ve been difficult to find here for the last couple decades. I did finally give up as I realized manual transmissions are no longer relevant for newer car technologies.
However to add to everyone’s comments about time and practice …. I have two teens who recently got their driving licenses. Both were technically fine but inexperienced and nervous after they got their licenses. However one has been driving to school every day for the last year, and already drives like any adult. A drivers license s just the beginning of learning to drive with you as the sole person responsible. It may seem overwhelming but you can gain confidence and experience faster than you expect. Just keep at it, do your best, learn from mistakes (as in do better, dont just criticize yourself)
