Manual transmission in heavy traffic...

[ArizonaSteve]

In my opinion, heavy traffic is the only situation where I would possibly consider an automatic to be superior. But in practise, once you get used to it, it's easy to run a manual in heavy traffic with minimal shifts by running at a constant (slow) speed and maintaining some distance between you and the vehicle in front.

In all other situations, manual is far superior.

 

[bruceb]

For the SF Bay Area, I would prefer the manual. Better control going downhills, when you downshift and with proper gear selection, you will find it a lot of fun going Up the hills. Engine will be happier and lug less with the manual and it does give the driver of the car a little more control. Clutch wear, should not be an issue and you should get 75K miles or more from a clutch / pressure plate (depends on driver's experience and skills) ... I had a 1985 RX-7 13B motor with a 5 speed and the clutch went to at least 125K miles (then it was stolen)

 

[RichieZ]

nt

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Not a big deal.

And if the traffic is really stop-and-go, just wait until there is five or six car lengths ahead of you before inching forward again.

That's what I do. I don't care if I get a honk, I just leave a couple car lengths and go.

it's all the people like you though causing alot of this back up.

If one has a normal car the clutch is just a matter of being fit.

If you are running heavy pressure plates or puck clutches, it can get pretty hairy.

 

[Itchrelief]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Not a big deal.

And if the traffic is really stop-and-go, just wait until there is five or six car lengths ahead of you before inching forward again.

That's what I do. I don't care if I get a honk, I just leave a couple car lengths and go.

it's all the people like you though causing alot of this back up.

If one has a normal car the clutch is just a matter of being fit.

If you are running heavy pressure plates or puck clutches, it can get pretty hairy.

Being nitpicky, leaving a few car lengths does nothing to create backup if the traffic is already stop-and-go, UNTIL someone decides to cut into that space. Then the traffic gets worse (which tends to happen because 99% of the time someone is going to cut in). But if nobody cuts in, you just end up buffering the acceleration and deceleration to a more steady speed.

technically, yes, I'm sure some traffic engineer is going to tell me that in overall traffic throughput levels, there is a slight decrease if everyone is going the exact same speed but leaves wider following distances.

 

[Doggiedog]

Again it depends on the car.

Something like an old Porsche and your left leg muscles will grow to twice the size as your right pressing and depressing the clutch.

My last 4 cars have been manual and I live in the NYC area so I'm used to traffic. It doesn't bother me that much. SF with its hills may be a bit more work though.

My BMW has the anti roll back feature. I don't really need it so I can't tell you how much it will work on steep hills though.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Itchrelief
Being nitpicky, leaving a few car lengths does nothing to create backup if the traffic is already stop-and-go, UNTIL someone decides to cut into that space. Then the traffic gets worse (which tends to happen because 99% of the time someone is going to cut in). But if nobody cuts in, you just end up buffering the acceleration and deceleration to a more steady speed.

technically, yes, I'm sure some traffic engineer is going to tell me that in overall traffic throughput levels, there is a slight decrease if everyone is going the exact same speed but leaves wider following distances.

if we lived in a perfect traffic society you'd be right, however; we don't and as soon as one is leaving far too much space others will try to get into it.

Also as someone that drives a manual, those asshats that coast slowly to the redlight coming to a practical stop about 10 times along the way make it a bitch for those shifting esp on a hill.

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Also as someone that drives a manual, those asshats that coast slowly to the redlight coming to a practical stop about 10 times along the way make it a bitch for those shifting esp on a hill.

Lol, that's me. I haven't yet mastered the take off in my car yet, so I coast to red lights crazy slow to avoid having to do it.

In my friend's Cobra, on the other hand, I enjoyed stopping, because the launches were fun as hell. =]

 

[summit]

the hills in sf makes driving a manual tough.

 

[SickBeast]

If you're going to sit in alot of traffic, you should get a hybrid IMO.

You get "clutch foot" after awhile in traffic. It's horrible and you don't get used to it completely. Plus it's not good for the car.

 

[mooseracing]

I have no problems in my old truck, half the time I am in neutral anyway because of traffic.

Stop and go is easy if you can use the clutch without the gas. Not to mention anything with a hydro clutch is easy.

 

[Arkaign]

'08 Focus S Coupe 5spd, in the DFW metro area, ~20k yearly miles .. the traffic itself is irritating, but the shifting is no big deal.

 

[Kntx]

If you drive around a downtown area with a lot of lights and stop signs it is really annoying. 1, 2 stop. 1, 2 stop, 1, 2 stop. Lately I've taken to leaving it in second at all times aside from uphill starts.

In heavy traffic I find that if you drive strategically you can leave it in 1st most of the time and almost never use the clutch or brake. Gain some space, work the gas pedal but be aware of people cutting in front.

edit: next car will have some kind of automatically shifting transmatron.

 

[yelo333]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
And to the peron who said let there build up seveal car openings in front of your before you move, yea try that in N.VA. You would not get anywhere as people would fill those slots before it got to 2-3.

Actually, at least in my area (near Chicago), it does work to leave several openings in front of you. After all the weavers get the fact that the lane is open in front of me and use it, the people left around me are more moderate drivers who don't feel any need to change lanes.

After the first bit, the vast majority of people left changing into my lane are those who actually need to get into my lane, for example to make it over to the express lane.

Just let them cut in front of you for awhile. I've found people eventually figure out what you're moving as fast as they are on average and let it go.

Some interesting commentary (trafficwaves.org)

Edit: add /q

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Those cars have light clutches -- it's annoying in hilly, high-traffic areas, but you'd get used to it.

The added cost of the auto is your call, but the difference in gas mileage is trivial, so I wouldn't worry about that. I'd just get the auto, personally.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: RKS
You get used to it.

bingo

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I always preferred a stick even when I lived in SF. Manual in traffic is no big deal unless you're driving something with a particularly heavy clutch. The steepest hills of SF are a different story, however, and there are definitely parts of town where it probably doesn't make sense to routinely drive a stick due to the inordinate clutch wear. My BMW has a hill-holder feature, and that should alleviate or eliminate the problem, but few cars have this feature (plus I can't speak from experience because I haven't driven my car anywhere with hills anywhere near the 20%+ grades of SF).

 

[waffleironhead]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Kntx

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

That works great if you don't mind a ton of unnecessary clutch wear. Make a habit out of this living in San Francisco and you will be lucky to get a year out of a clutch.

 

[Gamingphreek]

I go to college in Blacksburg so it isn't a big problem here; but, I live in Fredericksburg which is in between DC and Richmond. Travel on 95 is a nightmare, but I personally enjoy the manual transmission then. It is a lot more entertaining cause it isn't as brainless an activity then.

As for starting on hills - if you are any good at driving stick you don't need the E-Brake. I have gone off-roading and gone up very very steep slopes, Blacksburg is in the mountains, I drive a pick up truck (no weight in the back), open rear differential - I have never had too much of a problem. The biggest problem I have had is when I have no traction trying to start on a slope, in which case, I have to start in 2nd gear or in VERY rare instances go to 4x4.

I always recommend a stick - I like having that level of control over my car. It isn't for everyone, but it is fun in most cases!

-Kevin

 

[lurk3r]

It is a major pita, but if you have the stones for it you'll be a better man, seriously as long as its not a heavy clutch its not that bad.

 

[waffleironhead]

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

Bingo, thanks for replying for me.

I have driven for many years in hilly cities and have never had the need to heel and toe or e-brake. Stick to your training wheels if you must.