Stick shift manual

[louisgray]

Why is it ,mist American cars are automatic and a lot of Americans don't know how to use manual??

[IAMWILL]

Where are you getting this info?
Yes a lot of our cars are automatic today, but up until like 1990 probably most were still manual. Everyone I know can drive stick.

Most American cars are automatic because of the freeway/city system we have. In Europe it's inconvenient to drive into a city because public transport is so good. Here are freeways completely bisect most cities, so nearly everyone drives into their work. As you know, stick shift is annoying to drive in a city, especially if you live in a hilly one, say San Francisco. Commuting can cause a lot of stop and go traffic to when entering a city which is annoying to deal with in a stick shift. Basically automatic cars don't stall so its easier to drive and prevents traffic.
Thats my theory.

[Unlucky_Leprechaun]

I have a few friends that drive manual but most prefer automatic. With us here anyways its a matter of convenience. As Will stated, the intercity commutes are in larger cities with a lot of stop and go traffic and the lack of public transportation, makes manual not as convenient for most Americans.

[judahtics]

it's because americans are lazy lol. ummm i actually drive a stick, or will when i'm old enough. i have a 96 vw jetta manual. can't wait to be able to use legally.

[Monster.Mike]

Automatic is the way forward! :D

[Kaius]

Automatic is the way forward! :D

It really isn't. If you choose to learn automatic instead of learning manual you're really restricted to what cars you can and can't drive. At least with learning Manual if you can drive any car you want really, Automatic or Manual.

[SuperSuraj]

I personally drive a stick ( ;) ) hahah butttt anywaysss, i think its way more fun, but i always take my moms auto to drive during traffic hours because its simply inconvient to have to keep balancing the clutch and gas to inch forward. I would personally love a paddle shift car but i'll have to make due with a stick for now. I think American's don't really use a manual because like people have said, our highway system is completley different from Europe and we have to drive through stop and go traffic nearly every place we have to drive too.

[Infidelitas]

Manual for me. I have only ever driven an Auto once. I liked it, but I am used to manual

[rockNroll]

Americans are lazy.

[Infidelitas]

Americans are lazy.

*Some Americans are lazy

[Bharris13]

Because they need one hand free to eat their burgers.

[JackOfClubs]

Im not great at it, but i could get somewhere if i had to. Sadly my car is automatic, which i hate.

[hypebeastx215]

i drive stick but it sucks major balls in traffic taking your foot on n off the clutch

[User Deleted]

Most people can drive one, they just don't. But we should drive stick, no free hands to text or eat, less accidents.

[louisgray]

Every car I've been in in america was auto,I know you wouldn't be aloud to drive over here if you can't drive stick :L

[Nookie813]

i race my car and alot of american cars are manual

[Bougainvillea]

Every car I've been in in america was auto,I know you wouldn't be aloud to drive over here if you can't drive stick :L

The first thing I learned how to drive was manual, because the first car I had was a kharmann ghia. I got tired of it though, and didn't like the whole setup, and using both of my feet while trying to concentrate on the road was just too much for me. I still know how, I just don't like to. Especially when you live in a city area. I think that makes it harder.

[Skyhawk]

Nearly everyone I know drives automatic, in a rural area.

There's a few reasons, many of the people here prefer the CVT's abd the hybrids for the fuel efficiency, though a lot of people drive minivans and trucks/SUVs that are only built in the auto configuration, and many people are 1) too lazy 2) don't know manual (most of the younger drivers) 3) have a medical reason.

It is true that a lot of us prefer the simplicity of automatic, the only people I know who drive manual is my uncle (works in NYC), a family friend, and another friend's stepmom.

I do plan on driving manual when I am older though.

[Disconected]

i have a stick shift. love it and hate automatics. theres no fun in driving if u cant shift the gears. i used to have an automatic for a year, i would end up playing with a water bottle pretending it was the gear lever. plus i like to go fast so stick works much better for tht

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Hopefully once I get a car of my own, but both my parents and a lot of my friends that drive drive manuals, the only person I know that doesn't really know how to drive a stick is my sister because she's afraid of it for some reason. :rolleyes:

[tyler17OKC]

I'm 17 and know how to drive a stick but my dad got me an automatic to drive because he can't drive stick. I would probably get a manual if it was my choice.

[IAMWILL]

Every car I've been in in america was auto,I know you wouldn't be aloud to drive over here if you can't drive stick :L

Because you were a tourist and almost all rental cars are automatic because they are meant to be simple and easy to drive.