Dwindling population of those that can move M/T at service centers.

It happens, we try to catch the ones that say they can, but can't, and ruin the clutch.

I'd rather them be honest then try to learn on my truck.

Every once in a while I'll kick someone out of a vehicle that is burning a clutch as a learning device.

 

Will anyone be able to drive this 6spd? That grab handle looks like it will be in the way.

 

. This is true!

 

In most of the rest of the world a large majority of vehicles are manuals. It seems that North America is the only one with this fixation with autos.

 

Most of those manuals are also bolted to a diesel power plant.

 

makes perfect sense. have you seen the costs of used vehicles and maintenance, and the lack of actually-hiring places? hell, when i was 18, i had to start mowing lawns for cash because after submitting 250+ applications, all i heard was "i lacked experience" to deliver pizza's, or stock grocery store shelves. and that was 19 years ago. i'm hearing stories now that kids can't even mow lawns anymore without being registered, permitted, and bonded in towns anymore. it's only gotten worse...

 

I went to get my vehicle inspected last Friday. The tech at the inspection station said she couldn't drive a manual and customers weren't allowed to pull cars into the bays. Told me to come back the next morning when the other tech would be on duty. Came back the next day and had the new tech pull it in. Crazy.

 

I would love to get the opportunity to learn how to drive a Model T, they're so weird.

 

I took it in to the dealer for a 5k mile inspection. (I had already done the 1st oil change)

- It only reinforced my choice to not take it in again unless I had a warranty issue BTW, but that is another thread...

I drove it in for them. 15 min later they were done. I had to wait for the only employee who could drive a stick to be available to get my taco.
It was a girl at the wheel doing the handover.

- she did not even work on the service side of the dealership.

I read somewhere that more women are getting manual gearboxes than males these days...

 

Good!

 

About 35 years ago at my Aunt's funeral the valet was bouncing my car off the rev limiter just trying to put my car in line.

 

I think I can

 

I didnt worry about this 10 years ago but now you have to ask and be very serious because they will lie or they think they can because they did it once in their friends car.

I tell them I will tip well and be very thankful even going so far as to thank their boss for the excellent service to park my own car if no one here can drive a manual but if I smell burnt clutch or hear a rev limiter I will be unpleasant.

My truck is auto but my 2nd car is always a manual. Last time I took my F-type for service a 6ft 4in 350lb guy had to drive it in, I gave him a tip for having to squeeze into that tiny car. Poor guy had to slide/crawl out.

 

If most people can’t even move a M/T truck, imagine them trying to tow anything.

 

This is comical but not surprising.
It's easier to watch your phone if you don't have to clutch and shift.

 

Some of us can barely back a trailer regardless.

 

Most people are not enthusiasts. They don't even care to drive an auto. They don't even care to drive! The time is coming when self driving cars will be the norm, and "old" guys will be moaning about the loss of autos. I don't bring my truck where someone else will have to move it.

 

Every day more electrics are on the street, they don't even have a transmission!

 

This thread is such a boomer thirst trap lol.

 

I remember back in like 1999 to 2001 I used to work part time at a full service car wash in the summers when my regular job got slow or I wanted some extra money. Even then over half of the regular employees then couldn’t drive a manual. They would yell “stick” when they entered one so someone else could move it. I imagine it’s worse now.
Even when I was a teen I learned on an auto then got a car the was a manual. Taught myself how to drive it by reading the high school drivers Ed book and hands on practice. My dad tried to teach me but lost patience too soon, I had to just be left alone to figure it out
Took a week to get good and not stall it in traffic anymore. I miss driving a manual too.
Amazing thing is my great Aunt Jackie's Corola is a manual, she's 90 and still driving.