>>>>>>>>Except that I'm talking about coasting downhill, not downshifting uphill. If I need to slow down going downhill, I break. On level surfaces, depending on my speed, I'll often downshift to slow. By the way, why do 'slow down' and 'slow up' mean the same thing?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Wow. Coasting a vehicle with the clutch depressed at a high rate of speed is dangerous.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If only there were hills here I would attempt a scientific test.
>>>>>
>>>>>Did anyone notice there's only four of us who talk about clutch? Most of the rest are silent as if we're talking Klingon :).
>>>>
>>>>Figures - most people prolly opted for an automatic transmission....although it would be nice to have one those fine clutchless-paddle-shifting gizmos that's on the newer Ferrari's.
>>>>
>>>>As far as downshifiting goes - doing it uphill is not that difficult as doing so when going downhill or on a flat surface - IF you're doing it right that is. A nice technique called "heel-toe" - Again this is one of those things that people don't bother to learn that I think should be a requirement for even getting a license.
>>>>http://www.edmunds.com/advice/youngdrivers/articles/119593/article.html
>>>
>>>Years ago, a driving instructor I knew sneered at automatic transmissions. I remember him saying, "You know the bumper cars at the exhibition? Those are automatics." Only he said it with a Russian accent.
>>
>>hahaha. Well I can see his point. In theory a driver has more control over a car with a standard transmission that one with an automatic - that is assuming of course the person knows how to drive properly.
>>My twin sister recently bought a new car and the salesman at the dealership was very confused because she wanted a stick-shift and not an automatic - it's like he couldn't figure out why a GIRL would want that...ha. He asked 5 or 6 times and then tried to explain what the difference was thinking she didn't know.
>
>My best friend (a female) is the reason why I became a stick driver. She's driven a stick since she started driving many, many moons ago. She's the one who taught me to drive a stick quite a few years ago, and now I have trouble dealing with automatics. The darned things start moving on level ground if you take your foot off the brake. I sit there thinking, "Hey, I didn't tell you to do that!"


I went to the dark side. I learned in a manual car but have drive automatics for years now. When I last drove a manual I couldn't believe the amount I was supposed to do. Had to remember how to do a hill start in Wales. I didn't know car engines could rev up to 10000rpm :-)