The Death of The Clutch Pedal

[Dockem]

The Death of The Clutch Pedal

Every year it seems that an additional car model loses the manual transmission option. Even the Ford F-150 pickup truck can’t be purchased with a stick anymore.

The decline of the manual transmission (in the U.S.) has been decades in the making, but two factors are, ahem, accelerating its demise:

Number one: Automatics, developed by firms such as Borg-Warner (BWA), ZF Friedrichshafen and Aisin, are getting more efficient, with up to nine gear ratios, allowing engines to run at the lowest, most economical speeds. Many Mazdas and some BMWs, among others, now score better fuel mileage with an automatic than with a stick.

Number two: Among high-performance cars, such as Porsches, “automated” manual shifts are taking hold. They use electronics to control the clutch instead of your left foot. You can select the gears with paddles, or just let the computer take care of that, too. The result: Shifting is faster than even for the most talented clutch-and-stick jockey, improving the cars' acceleration numbers. Plus, the costs on these are coming down, and they can now be found in less-expensive sporty cars, such as the Golf GTI.

Even the biggest of highway trucks are abandoning the clutch and stick for automatics, for fuel-efficiency gains and to attract drivers who won’t need to learn how to grind their way through 18-plus gears.

Some price-leader economy models, such as the Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta, will list manuals on their cheapest configurations (though few will actually sell), and a segment of enthusiast cars, such as the Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata MX-5, will continue to offer the traditional three-pedal arrangement for some years to come.

“It will be reserved for the ‘driver’s vehicle,’” says Ivan Drury, an analyst for Edmunds.com. But finding one will be a challenge -- those holdout drivers had better be prepared to special-order their clutch cars.

Just a matter of time before the trend overtakes the MC. Soon we will be able to pay more attention to our cappuccino makers on our trikes!

[rhino 2]

In my learned Opinion... Auto trans, Power Steering, Power Brakes, And Cupholders, Should be outlawed...

And immediately half of the ''A'' Holes will be off the roads....

[Bikerbozo]

The demise of the stick shift is in direct proportion to how many drivers need that right hand for texting!

That's the Readers Digest version.

[1dn5up]

Paddle shifting is the new manual shift. Remember, you cant outshift a automatic ! 📞

[frostbite51]

They're working hard to replace the part between the steering wheel and the seat. Drive them while you can...

[Marc H]

I read somewhere that the systems that automatically put the brakes on if you get too close are speeding up the demise of the standard shift.

[desertclassic]

Paddle shifting is the new manual shift. Remember, you cant outshift a automatic ! ��

Daughter went from a 6 sp manual to a 5 speed paddle shift. I like the paddle shift, right hand for higher gear and left hand for lower gear or just do the throttle thing and it will do all the shifting for you. Jim

[MikeyTX]

In my learned Opinion... Auto trans, Power Steering, Power Brakes, And Cupholders, Should be outlawed...

And immediately half of the ''A'' Holes will be off the roads....

That isn't going to happen. Thank God my employer went to all automatics in the new trucks. It makes them so much more fuel efficient and a real pleasure to drive.

[MikeyTX]

Daughter went from a 6 sp manual to a 5 speed paddle shift. I like the paddle shift, right hand for higher gear and left hand for lower gear or just do the throttle thing and it will do all the shifting for you. Jim

My Z06 has the 8 speed paddle shift. Way more enjoyable to drive. It is a blast in the mountains.

[Larry Sobczak]

The paddle shift sounds like the push button shifts they had on the dash of some cars back in the 50's and 60's. But I'm not very mechanical and new technology is way over my head.

[rhino 2]

The paddle shift sounds like the push button shifts they had on the dash of some cars back in the 50's and 60's. But I'm not very mechanical and new technology is way over my head.

My 64 Barracuda had the push button shift....What gos around 'Comes around.....

[Lee H. Mann]

The paddle shift sounds like the push button shifts they had on the dash of some cars back in the 50's and 60's. But I'm not very mechanical and new technology is way over my head.

I had a 23 year old graduate from MMI working with me for 3 weeks. He was great on his I-phone but didn't know what a 1/2" wrench was.

During a heated discussion regarding his I-phone usage, he took a time-out. He came back 4 hours later like nothing happened, but something had changed, his employment !!

Understanding technology and being able to tell what time it is by clock hands are becoming two distinctly different things. When they only train them on the answers to a test and not the questions, we are witnessing our demise.

[rhino 2]

I had a 23 year old graduate from MMI working with me for 3 weeks. He was great on his I-phone but didn't know what a 1/2" wrench was.

During a heated discussion regarding his I-phone usage, he took a time-out. He came back 4 hours later like nothing happened, but something had changed, his employment !!

Understanding technology and being able to tell what time it is by clock hands are becoming two distinctly different things. When they only train them on the answers to a test and not the questions, we are witnessing our demise.

And Velcro on kids sneakers instead of laces, Did away with knot tying...

[Jack Klarich]

Synchro shift with out the clutch or use an electric shift, a horn button or a button on the end of the hand grip works great JMO

[Trailridr]

In my learned Opinion... Auto trans, Power Steering, Power Brakes, And Cupholders, Should be outlawed...

And immediately half of the ''A'' Holes will be off the roads....

I am in total agreement with you.

[Trailridr]

I've got 2 big trucks, 2 pickups, 2 four wheelers, 4 tractors, and a motorcycle. All have manual transmissions - if they didn't they wouldn't be here. My wife drives a pickup with an auto - but that's her preference.

Trail Rider

[MikeyTX]

In my learned Opinion... Auto trans, Power Steering, Power Brakes, And Cupholders, Should be outlawed...

And immediately half of the ''A'' Holes will be off the roads....

So you are saying that our disabled brothers and sisters that have sacrificed body parts in combat yet are whole in mind and spirit should be denied the right to drive ?

[Ozarkryder]

Don't have to worry about shifting when driverless cars are being worked on as the future of personal transportation.

[Ol' Man Jeb]

Don't have to worry about shifting when driverless cars are being worked on as the future of personal transportation.

I'm thinking of installing a bidet so I don't have to wipe my own ass!

[rhino 2]

So you are saying that our disabled brothers and sisters that have sacrificed body parts in combat yet are whole in mind and spirit should be denied the right to drive ?

There are exceptions to every rule......