Mike T. wrote:
> "Old Wolf" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> > This page:
> >
> > http://www.answers.com/topic/manual-...ving-technique
> >
> > says that to move the shifter when changing gear you should
> > (in this example, changing from 2nd to 3rd):
> >
> > "move the knob up to neutral, one column to the right, then up
> > to the new position on the top row."
> >
> > I have observed people doing this in real life and it seems very slow
> > and error-prone. I've seen people get to neutral and then
> > occasionally have trouble getting to 3rd as opposed to 1st or 5th.
> >
> >
>
> OK, you are dealing with an author (on the answers.com web page) who doesn't
> know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle and you are observing people
> in real life who ALSO don't know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
> Shifting from 2nd to 3rd (for example) should be one smooth, quick motion.
> If you have to think about it, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!!! Just push up on the
> gear shift. The shifter will naturally want to settle between 3rd and 4th
> when it slips out of second so further upward pressure will put it in 3rd
> gear. If you're worried about wear and tear, don't be. I've put hundreds
> of thousands of miles on a manual tranny (several times) and never had to
> service one, ever, beyond periodic fluid changes (drain and fill). -Dave

I don't recall ever having to 'think' about what I am doing. I just
shift. I suppose now I will try to see what I am doing and screw it
up.

Harry K