Automatic drivers are baffled after seeing how a manual ‘stick shift’ works
- American automatic drivers have been left baffled by a viral video of manual transmission
- The mechanics are shown alongside the stick shift
- Manual cars are becoming obsolete in the US
Published on Jul 03, 2024 at 4:14 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jul 03, 2024 at 7:35 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
If you don’t want to see how to see how the sausage is made – look away now as American automatic drivers have been left baffled at a viral video on the manual transmission of a stick shift car.
The footage shows the shift lever and inner mechanics of a Chevrolet Sail working in tandem.
And, while it’s weirdly hypnotic, many were left feeling confused by the under-the-hood mechanics.
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The manual stick shift video
The video was originally uploaded to YouTube by @CarWahe and later shared to X by Massimo, known as @Rainmaker1973.
There it was viewed more than 440,000 times in the first 24 hours.
The video shows the stick shift being moved through gears 1-5 and reverse.
The video is side-by-side stitched with the inner machine parts – including the shifter mechanism – moving in tandem.
Is driving an automatic easier?
While the stick shift was once a feature of all cars, it’s been replaced by automatic transmission in the US – aside from coupes or sports cars.
The Aston Martin Valinant is one notable example.
Driving a stick shift is a more difficult skill to master – as this UK-based driving instructor can attest.
Per explainthatstuff.com: “Gears transmit power from the crankshaft (the rotating axle that takes power from the engine) to the driveshaft running under the car that ultimately powers the wheels.”
Working like levers, they can be used to increase speed, force or change direction.
Generally speaking, lower gears deliver more power, while higher gears supply more speed.
“I feel like most Americans need to see this. A small minority even know how to drive a manual,” one comment said.
“No millennial will ever figure it all out,” said another.
Others questioned why manuals still exist at all. “Why use manual when you can use auto? It’s literally better,” they asked.
A take these car thieves who stalled a Porsche twice and gave up because they couldn’t drive a manual would certainly agree with.
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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
