How to get girlfriend to drive a manul transmission / stick shift?

[BNF]

I've had it.

I've tried to teach her, but it always pushes the relationship to the end.... I am considering having a friend try and teach her, but she's shy about leaning from anyone in this case... She hates the idea of shifting. Period.

Anyway, she's demanding that her next city car be an automatic. I just can't stomach the idea. We'll be driving the car 50/50. It's just that small, light sporty cars should never be automatics. IMO (Mini S as an example)

Any ideas?

 

[BlueBalls]

Get her to go to a professional teacher.

 

[004]

Over here in the uk, we have to learn in a manual car anyway.

It should be the same all over i think then you wouldnt have this problem.

Driving a Automatic is like riding a bike!

I guess your gf will have to pay and get a driving instructor who can teach her the do`s and dont`s and be able to handle her rants.

 

[BNF]

She's really shy and reluctant to have a teacher of any kind in this case. I am at wit's end.

I detest the idea of an automatic small car and she's not giving me any room to allow her to see that after a week or so, once instructed, that it is 2nd nature.

 

[BlueBalls]

Say you'll pay for it.

 

[minidog]

get a new model-that is girlfriend,miniD available:lovecoupl

 

[L3ggy]

She can't shift?!

 

[004]

She's really shy and reluctant to have a teacher

Tell her its the only way if she wants to be able to drive.

 

[slowhand]

I would get her out somewhere there is no traffic and let her practice maybe by her self maybe? maybe with out someone watching her till she gets the hang of it. :dunno:

 

[Eric Lindros]

I would get her out somewhere there is no traffic and let her practice maybe by her self maybe? maybe with out someone watching her till she gets the hang of it. :dunno:

Í agree on that. maybe she will get nervous if someone is with her in the car. If she's allone, she can make little mistakes, but no one will be there to complain and after a while, she will be more relaxed in the car.

Practice, practice, practice is the only way, in my opinion.

 

[004]

Í agree on that. maybe she will get nervous if someone is with her in the car. If she's allone, she can make little mistakes, but no one will be there to complain and after a while, she will be more relaxed in the car.

Practice, practice, practice is the only way, in my opinion.

But would you trust someone with your car if she cant really drive yet ?

I dont trust my gf with mines and she can drive!! :1orglaugh

 

[Aces&Jacks]

Here is what I've found when trying to teach people how to drive a stick. Getting the car moving without stalling out is the biggest fear. After getting over this hurdle the rest is easy.

Problem - The biggest problem they have is not giving the car enough gas when starting before it stalls. They seem like they get scared when the engine revs too high so they over-compensate by not giving it enough gas.

Solution - Instead of them trying to ease into giving the car enough gas, have them give too much gas and learn to ease out of giving the car too much gas (if that makes any sense). Instead of stalling out you will get some quick starts, so make sure there is nothing in front of you.

If that's not her problem, I would suggest finding a huge parking lot (go to the mall at night) so there is no danger of anything being hit by the car, and let her practice with no one else in the car. Sometimes removing the pressure of critical eyes assessing everything she does can be more help than anything else.

 

[i_love_panties]

It's just that small, light sporty cars should never be automatics. Any ideas?

^ that's the truth. You're brave soul for allowing her to practice in your car. Is she fuckin' up the clutch? She grinding the gears or stalling in 1st....that's ******* you off? Don't blame ya' b/c she's fuckin up your car.

I've tought 3 of my sisters how to drive manuel...it's frustrating @ first and they do get nervous when you say anything to them so refrain yourself.

When the clutch is pushed in....slowly release it (don't feed gas yet) until it hits the engaging point which makes the car move. When the car moves...feed it some gas and then release from the clucth completely. Not sure if this makes sense but good luck chuck :thumbsup:

 

[bigbadbrody]

a lot of new cars have the option of being driven in standard and automatic, why don't you just buy one of these cars

 

[tartanterrier]

If she's learning to drive a manual transmission,then get a cheap banger and let her practise in that until she's cool with it.Then when you feel she is then get a newer car.

When I learned to drive I started out with a clapped out Fiesta - it did the job for me

Good luck

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

learning that is a part of life. find an open lot somewhere and just keep practicing. my buddy bought a manual before he even knew how to drive it because it was such a good deal, and it only takes about a week to really learn. like I said it's part of life.

 

[dave_rhino]

Smack her around a little bit.



Too much? Yeah, I guess so.

 

[pancha]

not sure how you would go about it, but I learned on a golf cart. they are easy to work with and it helped me get the basics down, from shifting to stoping on an incline and not stalling out. after about an hour I was flying up and down just practicing running through all the gears for half an hour. afterwards I jumped in my car and was OK.

now, i knew the guy that ran the golf course, so I don't know how difficult it would be to rent one. . . you could always rent a manual trans car and pay the extra for insurance and let her tear the hell out of it! but the golf cart wouldn't feel too overbearing!

good luck buddy!

 

[Facetious]

Rent a "forgiving" manual stick shift car for the day so she can grasp the concept better.

Have her practice with the engine shut off while you observe / critique her.

Most of all, don't tease, *** or belittle her. Only encourage and compliment a woman, even if . . . . :yesyes:

 

[pitino]

had same probs with mine but now she seems to get used to it...after 15-20 practice times
my solution: buy a cheap automatic for her and afterward buy the car you like BNF