Page 4 | To learn to drive in manual.. lecturing DP

Pinkflamingogo · 2023-01-04T17:54:37+00:00

I'm learning to drive and have chosen to learn in a manual car. I have my first lesson this evening. DP (who doesn't drive btw) has gone on and on on about how automatic is better, how manual cars will soon be a thing of the past etc. I was obviously struggling to hide the fact I was getting annoyed by it as he became defensive and said he just wouldn't say anything and stormed off. I know IANBU to learn in manual but would you find his incessant droning on and on about how automatic is better, annoying?

Bunnynames101 · 04/01/2023 19:11

Aquamarine1029 · 04/01/2023 18:10

He who doesn't drive doesn't have the luxury of advising anyone on how to learn.

This in absolute spades.

All my friends as a teen did automatic, so they could pass faster. I did manual. Much better flexibility when hiring vehicles (which I do often as my life isn't practical for maintaining my own right now).

Leakingtoilet · 04/01/2023 19:12

Definitely learn in a manual. My DP only has an auto license due to a disability and getting a cheap second hand auto is a nightmare.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 04/01/2023 19:12

Just sell your house and buy a Tesla with the 'self-drive' option.

Apparently it's jolly good and it can make a fart sound on command. So at least the second richest man in the world isn't wasting his intellect on frivolous things. Which is nice. 👌

Rainbowdrops2021 · 04/01/2023 19:13

I only have an automatic licence and it doesn’t make a dot of difference. The reason I chose to do it was because I had confidence issues so I didn’t pass until I was 27. If you want to do manual and there’s no reason not to then do what you want, it’s you learning not him, just never write off auto if you later feel more confident doing it that way. Driving is life changing and I’m so glad I did it in the end.

blubberyboo · 04/01/2023 19:13

OverCCCs · 04/01/2023 18:54

I only ever hear this question come up amongst a UK audience where the anti-automatic luddites are convinced anything other than manual isn’t “real” driving. The rest of the world has moved on, save for fun hobby and racing cars.

Pestering you is obnoxious, though, OP, unless he truly thinks you aren’t capable of passing your exam in a manual (and you’d find that out for yourself eventually!).

Well you’ve answered the reason yourself there!!! Why should fun be limited to hobby’s and race cars?? Driving manual is a more pleasurable experience. I like having the control of and feeling the car

and the world has moved on from what exactly?? Its hardly comparing labouring over a twin tub to an automatic washing machine. You realise people in the Uk can choose an automatic car if they want to, they just choose not to!

TheyWentToSeaInASieve · 04/01/2023 19:15

If you pass on automatic, you'll never be able to rent a cheap car on holiday. Most cars available for rent in Europe are manual. He is very short-sighted.

Leakingtoilet · 04/01/2023 19:15

Rainbowdrops2021 · 04/01/2023 19:13

I only have an automatic licence and it doesn’t make a dot of difference. The reason I chose to do it was because I had confidence issues so I didn’t pass until I was 27. If you want to do manual and there’s no reason not to then do what you want, it’s you learning not him, just never write off auto if you later feel more confident doing it that way. Driving is life changing and I’m so glad I did it in the end.

I disagree. It does make a difference if you want to apply for a job where a requirement is a full driving licence

comfortablylesslumpy · 04/01/2023 19:19

Once he has learned to drive, he can have an opinion on this.

He needs to wind his neck in :D

HitMeWithAHotNoteAndWatchMeBounce · 04/01/2023 19:20

Driving manual is a more pleasurable experience.

You say that like it’s some sort of absolute.

It’s only a ‘more pleasurable experience’ if you think it’s a more pleasurable experience.

It really isn’t for many people. There is literally nothing ‘pleasurable’ about sitting in city or motorway traffic in a manual.

toocold54 · 04/01/2023 19:25

You are the one learning to drive and so you can choose to do it however you like.

I learnt in a manual, even though I wanted to learn in an automatic but every kept going on at me saying that I HAD to learn in a manual as then you can drive any car blah blah blah…

If I had my time again I would 100% learn to drive in an automatic and when my DC start learning to drive then I’ll also suggest it to them too.

Do what you want to do and don’t cave in like I did.

SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 04/01/2023 19:26

HitMeWithAHotNoteAndWatchMeBounce · 04/01/2023 19:10

There is a whole world, including many car manufacturing countries, outside Europe.

Show quote history

And yet the reasons for different attitudes remain. As in that link.

The point being that it isn't unfathomable or faulty logic!

magicofthefae · 04/01/2023 19:27

I will go against the grain...your DH might have a point. Manuals will become obsolete in time. America and Australia virtually don't use manuals anymore. It's rare in America, but common in Germany etc.

I passed my test in manual decades ago. What a complete waste of time and money learning all that extra clutch and gear stuff, when it's not essential.

Since passing I've only ever driven an automatic. For those that say it takes ages for an automatic to adapt to changing roads...it's time to drive newer models of automatic. I can assure you they speed up and adapt just as well as manual cars, if not better. It's the older model of automatics that feel like driving a Tesco trolley.

@SamphirethePogoingStickerist
Yes there needs to be more infrastructure for EV's, so that people without driveways can easily charge their vehicles. I do manage without a driveway EV charger, as some councils have public chargers installed into lampposts, or designated bays in car parks where only EVs can go, etc...but if I move area depending on where would move, it could become a problem. This needs addressing by government and councils.

Still, your DH shouldn't make you feel bad, if you disagree with him. He should accept your difference of opinion and be happy you're on the road to self improvement and transport freedom.

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 04/01/2023 19:28

HitMeWithAHotNoteAndWatchMeBounce · 04/01/2023 19:20

Driving manual is a more pleasurable experience.

You say that like it’s some sort of absolute.

It’s only a ‘more pleasurable experience’ if you think it’s a more pleasurable experience.

It really isn’t for many people. There is literally nothing ‘pleasurable’ about sitting in city or motorway traffic in a manual.

I've driven manual since I passed and now have an automatic, I much prefer my automatic, it's a much nicer experience. No constantly changing gears up and down, it's great.
I'd definitely get a dual license though OP, you aren't limited then.

DisforDarkChocolate · 04/01/2023 19:29

I love my automatic but I'm glad I have a manual license. I'd need to practice on some quiet level roads to get comfortable with a manual again though.

Tohaveandtohold · 04/01/2023 19:32

It’s your first lesson so I don’t see what his point is except maybe he wants you to quickly pass for one reason or the other, maybe so you can start giving him lifts 😂
However, I only have an automatic license and I’ve never regretted it, like I’ve not had a reason why I’m stuck because of it.
I initially learnt how to drive a manual when I was 18 in my home country before relocating to the UK however there, we used to drive on the other side of the road. When I got here, this part confused me a lot and also, changing from using my right hand to using my left hand to shift the gear.
When I got to the UK, I really needed to be able to drive because of work so I decided to do my test first with an automatic car so that my main focus will be the road and I can drive. I passed the first time and I’ve always said I’ll do the test in a manual but did not eventually because I can always get a car I need in an automatic, even dh that has a manual licence drives an automatic as well because he travels to work so basically, I can use any car in the house so I’ve never seen any need for it.

toocold54 · 04/01/2023 19:32

They say it’s easier to go from a manual to an automatic, than it is an automatic to a manual.

I would think they are about the same.

Learning to drive us just as much about having confidence as it is working all of the pedals and buttons.

The gears are one of the most difficult parts of learning to drive ( which is why people say it’s easier to learn in a manual then go to automatic).

But when you first start out you are also learning every other thing too which makes it even more difficult and you have no confidence.

My thinking is that if you learn in an automatic and gain the confidence and experience of being on the road without the stress of the gears, then you can always learn in a manual in the future.

That’s not to put you off learning in a manual as I did and I’m a good driver and enjoy it but I do wonder if I did it the wrong way around.

soundsofthesixties · 04/01/2023 19:36

I've driven an automatic car for the last 45 years. I passed my test in one and it's never been a problem. The insurance is no dearer than a manual car, don't know why someone thought that. Everyone I know has now got an automatic even though they can drive a manual.

Yolanda524 · 04/01/2023 19:37

If I was learning now I wouldn’t bother learning to drive a manual. Automatics are so much nicer to drive and all electric cars are automatic.
in the last 10 years the amount of times I’ve driven someone’s else’s car is 0. And hire cars you can chooses auto or manual.

I can drive a manual and had always had manual cars until my current car. I driving manual car in the uk where it’s start stop ALL the time. I love driving manual cars back home on the open road where is not so much traffic. The UK has some strange dislike of automatic cars for some reason

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 04/01/2023 19:44

At least with a manual licence you can drive either, and even if you get an automatic you don't know if at some point in the future you might need to drive a manual.

I have had both, and I did prefer the automatic, but have a manual now and it's fine.

When I had both I'd get confused and wonder why my manual was making a noise when I'd forget to change gear.

kingtamponthefurred · 04/01/2023 19:46

I only drive an automatic, it has never been a problem, but I would be very irritated by unsolicited advice from someone who does not drive at all. I bet your partner will be happy enough for you to ferry him around in any kind of car when you have passed your test.

Kissedbyfire1 · 04/01/2023 19:47

My car is a Golf R, DSG gearbox which means I can drive it in auto or in manual off the steering wheel paddles. DH’s car is manual. We both passed our tests in manual and can swap cars at will. Definitely learn in a manual.
And to the pp who found that their auto gearbox lags, mine goes like shit off a shovel- they’re really not all sluggish and you can’t beat an auto in city traffic.

FictionalCharacter · 04/01/2023 19:51

He’s right in that in the future nearly all cars will be auto. But that’s not the point. I learned to drive manual, my first few cars were manual but I’ve only had automatics for years and would never go back. But I’ve also had to drive vans, minibuses, hire cars, pool cars at work, tractors and other people’s cars in emergencies. You’re very limited if you can only drive automatics.

Hopefully he’ll stop bleating when you’ve passed your test.

I see he doesn’t drive. Is he one of those people who thinks that if you learn to drive and take your test on manual cars, you can’t drive automatics? 🤨

People think the weirdest things. One of my friends was amazed when I told her the only difference is the gearbox, so you don’t have to change gear. She thought automatic meant the car “drives itself”. No, I have no idea what she was thinking either.

FictionalCharacter · 04/01/2023 19:55

@Kissedbyfire1 I agree, one of my autos had the most phenomenal acceleration of all the cars I’ve owned.
Auto gearboxes do vary, some are better than others, some have flat spots in the acceleration. And not everyone knows how to drive them optimally.

TurquoiseDress · 04/01/2023 19:56

Manual all the way

Then you can drive any kind of car, manual or automatic

Win win

He doesn't even drive...ignore

middleager · 04/01/2023 19:58

I agree with other pps. In the ice, I ditch my automatic in favour of DH's manual as I have far more control.