This is why driving a manual over an automatic transmission can teach you important skills

Everybody has their preference, but it turns out that driving a manual can teach you some skills that an automatic simply cannot.

It’s one of those questions that splits drivers right down the middle – automatic or manual?

In the US, drivers are increasingly leaning towards the former.

But if you want to really hone in your driving skills, you should consider giving the latter a try.

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The advantages of driving manual over automatic

Manual transmission cars have nosedived in sales in the US in recent years – going from 35 percent of all new vehicle models in 1980 to less than 1 percent in 2024.

So it sure looks like it’s heading towards extinction, bar a few hold-outs of enthusiasts.

But perhaps Americans should reconsider their aversion to gear sticks?

Not that there’s anything wrong with an automatic, and we’re all about choices and preferences.

But there are just some things a manual transmission vehicle can do for you that an automatic can’t.

Marko Mikulic, a journalist over at Jalopnik, listed several benefits.

First, there was the fact that a gear stick allowed its driver greater control over the car.

Likening it to playing an instrument, Mikulic wrote; “With a manual, you are the composer. You choose your notes, you control the tempo, and you shape the performance you want to experience.”

With techniques like heel and toe, and double-clutching to play with, there’s more a driving experience.

Then there’s the fact that it helps you better understand how the engine, clutch, and transmission interact, generating better mechanical understanding.

As you become more attuned to your car’s needs through feedback (unusual resistance or clutch slippage), you can better understand its maintenance and diagnosis.

And lest we forget, these types of cars will make you into a multi-tasker.

Anybody who has had to coordinate the three pedals while changing gears can testify to that.

“You’re forced to allocate your brain resources strategically, which promotes better handling of real-time task management,” Mikulic said.

Add in the possibility that manuals can be more fuel efficient, and you’ve got yourself a persuasive case for changing over.

To back up this claim, Mikulic cited a Consumer Reports test which found that some manual transmission cars had a improved glass mileage of between 2 to 5mpg.

Why do Americans prefer one over the other?

It’s a question that has baffled other nations – why do Americans prefer an automatic car?

One Brit asked this question and got a huge response.

Convenience, long distances, and availability were all frequently cited.

At any rate, this is a car debate that isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

But to cut people some slack, we have to concede that manuals are trickier to master – as this UK-based driving instructor can attest.

But it’s worth knowing both sides of the coin before making your decision.

One unrealized benefit that didn’t make it into Jalopnik’s list was that a manual car may be just a tad safer from being stolen in the US.

That’s certainly what happened in Maryland when these thieves could get a manual Porsche 718 started up.

A similar incident occurred over in New Jersey with a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo.

It’s not rock solid data, but these case studies do paint a humorous picture.

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