What driving a stick shift teaches you that an automatic will never learn – Jalopnik

According to the EPA Automotive Trends 2024 According to the report, almost 35% of all new car models sold in 1980 were equipped with a manual transmission – but by 2024 that number has fallen to less than 1%. Yet in 2025 there are still more than 30 cars with a manual transmission for sale.

Automatic transmissions are easier to live with, more convenient in city traffic, are generally smoother, and tend to have a higher resale value on the mainstream market. However, there are times when an automatic simply cannot match the speed and accuracy of an experienced driver with a manual. And manuals are easier and cheaper to maintain, may provide better mileage and can be cheaper to purchase.

Plus, driving with a stick shift teaches you things an automatic will never learn. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. Please note that individual experiences may vary and not all automatic and manual transmissions are created equal.

The transmission is an essential automotive system that efficiently transfers engine power to the wheels. With an automatic you can control the power transfer, but with a manual you have much more control over how, when and where that power is applied. This ensures precise gear selection, optimized engine performance for specific conditions and a more engaging driving experience.

Think of it like playing an instrument in a band. With an automatic you respond to the music that comes. You play the notes, but you are structured, predictable and in many ways just along for the ride. With a manual, you are the composer. You choose your notes, you set the tempo and you shape the performance you want to experience. However, it all depends on your perspective as many people actually prefer automatics for the same reasons.

Still, many car enthusiasts prefer the manual, which is why our readers wish these cars came with a manual. All in all, a manual gives you a sense of control over the car that an automatic simply can’t reproduce. Techniques such as heel and toe, analog speeds and dual clutch are just a few examples of the typical experience with manual transmissions.

Cars are complex and it often seems like only experienced mechanics understand them. A manual transmission gives you a way to understand how power is delivered, why RPM matters, and what the clutch actually does. With a manual you feel when and how the clutch engages, because you are the one operating the clutch.

Learning the ropes and knowing how to properly operate the clutch will make it easier for you to tell if something isn’t working as intended because driving with a manual transmission will keep you more engaged. With a stick shift, it’s easy to notice clutch slippage, unusual pedaling resistance, or strange vibrations, and that can help with car maintenance. Over time, this can lead to developing a form of ‘mechanical sympathy’ with the car.

In other words, you can convert the car’s feedback into actionable information. There are always car things you have to learn the hard way, and there’s not much you can do about it. However, if you understand how your car works and what your inputs do to a transmission, you will be better equipped to maintain it. This is especially true because maintaining a manual transmission is easier due to its simplicity.

With a stick shift you have to coordinate multiple tasks at the same time. An automatic transmission requires two-pedal operation, while stick-shift driving requires three pedals. Moreover, you also modulate the accelerator pedal and predict traffic conditions to select the right gear.

Psychologists say that juggling multiple tasks can lead to “task switching costs,” a demand on mental energy that results in inadequate problem solving. According to the American Psychological AssociationResearch shows that “multitasking may seem efficient at first, but can ultimately take more time and introduce more errors.”

But a 2009 study published by Neuron showed that “extensive training can significantly reduce such multitasking costs.” And when you drive a manual transmission and operate the clutch, you train your mind to handle these tasks with divided attention, and you learn to juggle multiple jobs without dropping the ball. You are forced to strategically allocate your brain resources, which promotes better handling of real-time task management. (If you want to give this training a try, here are the best manual cars for learning to drive stick.)

Driving a manual car doesn’t always translate to better fuel economy, but knowing how the engine and transmission generate power can help you adjust your driving habits to use less fuel. For example, keeping your mpg numbers high means choosing the right gear and keeping the car at cruising speed; factors that have everything to do with switching. By being able to control these aspects, you can save fuel with a manual compared to an automatic.

With a manual transmission you also have to anticipate traffic and terrain. This can reduce unnecessary acceleration and braking and further improve your efficiency. Although modern automatic transmissions know very well which gear to select and where, they are not infallible. In one Consumer Reports Testing the same car models with different transmissions, the magazine noted that “in some cars, a manual transmission can improve gas mileage by a significant 2 to 5 mpg, compared to an automatic.”

With a manual gearbox, you control the speed, engine load and gear selection. And all this can have a significant impact on overall efficiency.