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It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand. No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual because evidently that's the only way I'm going to learn.
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
How did you learn to drive a manual?
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
The Deuce&1/2 is gon. They were phased out in the 90s for the M1083 MTV Images and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , all automatic.Huh...I haven't owned an automatic since I got rid of my '78 Caprice in the late 80's.
Jerry, doesn't the Army still have 2 1/2 ton 6wd trucks? Those were all standard and I can't imagine not having them.
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
My biggest thing right now is trying to get the damn thing to go into gear. That drives me mad. I get the theory and I'm trying to do it but a lot of times it's like the sifter just won't go into gear and I don't know why. I'll yell at the truck JUST ****ING DO IT!I prefer manuals. I have also taught three people to operate them. It's not terribly hard. Goshin is right. You just have to do it enough to get the feel of it. Id teach you if I could.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
See...no...I don't, not for their personal cars...and it's a touch frustrating to me that you would assume I did. In 35 years, I've only ever known 1 person who owned a manual. I'm all about learning new things, but you shouldn't make assumptions. And YouTube was a fall-back to no one else being free to lend a hand. I'm not going to site there and act like a needy little bitch, I had to do something now because I was going right back to driving manual the next day and the only thing I knew to do was YouTube. I'm in another state, I didn't know anyone, I barley knew my foreman's name.You must have some friends who drive manual.
See...no...I don't, not for their personal cars...and it's a touch frustrating to me that you would assume I did. In 35 years, I've only ever known 1 person who owned a manual. I'm all about learning new things, but you shouldn't make assumptions. And YouTube was a fall-back to no one else being free to lend a hand. I'm not going to site there and act like a needy little bitch, I had to do something now because I was going right back to driving manual the next day and the only thing I knew to do was YouTube. I'm in another state, I didn't know anyone, I barley knew my foreman's name.
I may just take a manual U-Hall for a drive tomorrow if I can find one around here.
It's not something most people learn anymore.
In my 35 years I never ever had to once operate anything with a manual transmission. Everything in the Army is automatic, even the tractor trucks. Not one employer ever had a manual company vehicle. Everything I've ever owned has been automatic. In fact I've turned down a few good deals on personal cars because I didn't know how to drive a manual. Until recently I only knew one person in my whole life who even owned a manual truck. I asked him to teach me and he wanted the cost for a new clutch up-front.
So I start a new job last month...all but one of their company trucks are manual. I told my foreman up-front that I was willing to learn but didn't know how to drive a manual. He looked at me and said "you were born on Earth, right?". I get a lot of comments like that, but I laugh it off with them instead of getting frustrated and but-hurt in the hopes that someone would lend a hand.
No one wanted to help me learn, not because they're jerks but because we're busy.
Most of the trucks that I use are kept out on the right-of-way, so I rarely need to go above 2nd gear. I'm thinking "this is good practice for a newbie to manuals like me". And it was, imo. I got past a lot of newbie habits real quick, like riding the clutch or releasing the service brake to soon while facing up-hill.
Then the inevitable happened: I had to drive my truck on a freeway 40 miles back to the yard. There was no one else available who could drive it for me, or drive with me. I really don't understand what I did during those 40 miles that now caused the truck to refuse to go into 1st gear, and the clutch grinds constantly in and out of gear. Most of he crew thinks this one asshole broke it and blamed it on me, but it doesn't matter since the Super also thinks it's my fault and now I'm not allowed to operate anything.
I guess what I'm frustrated about is I told my foreman up front that I didn't know how to drive a manual and he put me on a manual anyway with no help. In a way I feel I was set up for failure. I have no problem at all just jumping into something and learning as I go, but don't then **** on me when something brakes due to my lack of knowledge.
When I trade in my car I may just buy a manual and be ready to buy a new clutch. Maybe that, and YouTube, is the best way to learn.
****
How did you learn to drive a manual? Do they even teach that in Driver's Training anymore?
Wow, I guess it isn't common anymore. Come to think of it I haven't seen a manual transmission vehicle in a long time.
When I was growing up it was about 50/50, and my Dad made me learn on a manual. The clutch, of course, is the tricky bit... and it is just something you have to learn by feel, the hard way. There are tricks and tips sure but mostly it is just learning to feel when it is time to shift, and how to ride easy on the clutch.
One thing you don't do is keep your foot ON the clutch while driving BTW... that slight pressure lifts the clutch plate out of alignment and wears it out after a while.
One of the things back-in-the-day you had to learn about EACH new vehicle was "how sensitive is the clutch'.... it's like mastering the trigger pull on different pistols...
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