LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Drivers,
I know there is a current obsession with alternative energy cars out there right now. It makes those concerned about the planet all warm and fuzzy on the inside to hear the promise of all-electric cars becoming the norm.
However, while we’re waiting for the solutions of the future to come, there’s something that can be done today that would drastically cut our oil consumption, and presumably also the emissions associated with combustion; buying manual transmission, or stick shift vehicles.
Dear Drivers,
I know there is a current obsession with alternative energy cars out there right now. It makes those concerned about the planet all warm and fuzzy on the inside to hear the promise of all-electric cars becoming the norm.
However, while we’re waiting for the solutions of the future to come, there’s something that can be done today that would drastically cut our oil consumption, and presumably also the emissions associated with combustion; buying manual transmission, or stick shift vehicles.
Besides the high-end sports cars that take high-octane fuel, many different motor companies offer their vehicles in both manual and automatic. Although many people drive an automatic because they don’t want to learn how to operate a gear shifter, the benefits of stick-shift cars outweigh the drawbacks. They generally save fuel, and it also helps to know how to operate one in case of emergencies, or when driving a high-end sports car.
Driving a stick-shift car is not exactly hard to do, especially once the individual is comfortable with driving in general. The major difference is that the driver has to be able to use both hands and feet, which requires more concentration while driving. This can be seen as an advantage, with accident statistics pointing heavily against those who don’t pay attention while behind the wheel.
The lowest known (to me, that is) estimates for fuel consumption in a manual transmission vehicle is roughly 25 miles per gallon highway, whereas some new automatic transmission models average a measly 12 mpg.
It’s not rocket science that manual transmission vehicles will save money in the long run. The only problem is acquiring one. However, by scanning the “for sale” pages on Web sites like craigslist.com, one might find a deal worth buying into.
Though it might be hard to part with a beloved car for a (presumably) older manual transmission vehicle, the advantages far outweigh the problems when it comes to fuel economy, environmental protection or safety on the road. All it takes is a little change now to ensure a better future tomorrow.
Tom Jones
