North America is kind of funny in the sense that not a lot of dry stick-shift vehicles. If you go anywhere in Europe, you’ll notice that most people are driving manually shifted cars. In fact, in order to even pass your driving test, you must know how to drive a manual. So why isn’t that translated over here in North America?
We’ve become quite accustomed to automatic vehicles here. If you ask anyone under the age of 30, chances are they’ve never even touched a stick-shift vehicle. However, are we making the right choice in driving automatics? Today we will be going in depth about stick-shift vehicles and why it may be ideal to purchase a stick-shift as your next vehicle.
Learning A New Skill
First thing’s first – learning to drive a stick-shift is going to take time. Coming from an automatic, we’ve become less aware of gear shifting and when our car automatically does it for us. When driving a manual, you’re going to have to become much more aware of your car. This means paying attention to RPM’s, the sounds of your car and even your foot coordination.
This right here is the reason why stick-shift vehicles aren’t being sold as much as they used to be. People just don’t know how to drive them, nor do they want to learn. But if you learn this skill, you will find yourself becoming more in tune with your car and may be able to better know when something is off with your vehicle.
Gas Mileage
If keeping a tight budget is important to you, then a stick-shift can help you save money! Stick-shift vehicles will usually use 5 – 15% less fuel consumption than an automatic. This is due to optimal shifting techniques. Of course, this is all reliant on your driving habits, so if you’re a lead foot who is constantly speeding through traffic, you may not notice that change.
Car Theft
In North America, you are far less likely to get your vehicle stolen if you drive a stick-shift vehicle. The main reason for this is because a lot of people simply cannot drive them. If a thief is going to have trouble driving a stolen vehicle, they have a higher chance of getting caught. This means that once they see the dreaded stick, they will most likely leave your car alone.
Less Distracted
In this day and age, our lives are riddled with distractions. Unfortunately, these distractions follow us everywhere we go – including when we drive! This leads to a ton of accidents – accidents that could have been avoided.
When you have a stick-shift vehicle, your hands won’t have time for distractions! In automatic vehicles, you can easily drive with one hand, meaning you always have one free. This is where distractions come in. Often times people will grab their phones, coffee or snacks with their free hand, distracting themselves in the process. With a stick-shift, you are constantly using both hands and both feet. Your mind is more likely to stay focused on the road, which can save your life!
Is a stick-shift right for you? That’s a decision you have to make. Luckily, if you choose the manual route, you will find a ton of benefits to come with it! Have a stick-shift vehicle that needs parts? GM Outlet Parts has what you need!
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