Driving her car

[BigBigBear]

My wife bought a cherry '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee last July - only 82K miles on it, and she fixed it up nice. Yakima ski rack, nice stereo(courtesy a Xmas gift from me), vacummed out, brand new BFG AT's. She had only put 5K on it by the time she passed away last June 5th.

Trouble is, it's a stick, one of the very last std transmissions they put in the Grand. I've never driven a stick, not for real (in traffic, etc). It sat at our house until the last week of July; when I went into full moving chaos, I asked our longtime 4x4 mechanics to hold onto for a spell, and they graciously agreed to.

So now....I'm going to pick it up (actually, have a friend pick it up) and drive it to my house on Friday. Sunday, unless a perfect rafting day intervenes, I have a freelance driving instructor coming over to educate me on the mystical vagaries of driving a standard transmission. My neighborhood is a pretty good place to learn, lots of VERY quiet side streets, and my office is only two miles away and has football field sized parking lots which will be pretty empty on Sunday afternoon.

And then, presumably, I'll be driving my wife's car.

I wish I could say I was doing this with bravery and bouyant, forward-looking optimism about my future - but in reality, my truck needs about 2 days/$400 worth of work, and I won't have anything to get around unless I get my drooping posterior in gear and start driving this Jeep. I suppose my wife would approve - she always said she'd teach me. We just ran out of time.

Wish me luck - and don't ask how I managed to make it to 46 without learning how to drive a stick. I'm in no mood.

[redqueen]

1. It's better, really

Better control, and better mileage... not to mention cheaper repair.

Hopefully you'll get the hang of it in no time and be having fun, too. :)

Sorry to hear about your loss, btw...

[Droopy]

2. You can do it

Just don't try to take it too fast. It would be best to start out in the parking lot first. That way you can get a lot of practice starting which is the hardest thing to learn. Good luck!

[demnan]

3. I never learned either

so don't feel bad. You might consider selling the car later, but at least if you learn you can say you crossed that hurdle.

Hang in there, BBBear!

Nancy

[jukes]

4. you'll find it's very easy

1ce you get over the bump of it. clutch control in 1st, esp on a grade, is the scariest part, & that's just a matter of practice.


harder will be facing the recollections. i'm sorry you have to go through this. focus on the mechanics, time will grant a perspective.

POST. post a lot. you need fellowship.

[havocmom]

5. Maybe it's just me, but seems likely you will have a co-pilot with you

and it will be fine.

[TrogL]

6. How to learn to drive standard

1. The clutch is your friend but treat it like a china dish.

2. When shifting, put the clutch through the floorboards, then let up gradually until you feel it take hold. Gently ease off. If you jerk it, you'll strip it. When you're fully in gear take your foot off the clutch otherwise you'll be tempted to ride it and strip it.

[Mrs. Venation]

7. I've Taught Several People How To Drive a Straight Shift

The thing I've found most useful is an ability to laugh at oneself. Don't expect to be an expert straight away.

Best to you, BBB.

[Droopy]

9. Hell, never expect to be an expert

I still stall and grind gears on occasion and I've been driving stick for the past 13 years.

[flamingyouth]

8. I have never driven a manual car, either

Good luck in handling this, BBB.

Alan's headstone was finally installed, so I went out to look at it yesterday. It was not pleasant. :hug:

[BigBigBear]

11. Thanks, fy

I have Karin's ashes at home, on a shelf, with a picture of her propped up on it, looking out at me. It's a little creepy, and a little comforting...in varying degrees.

Hope you're doing okay. Still sucks.

[flamingyouth]

12. I'm okay. Good days, bad days

Yes, it still does suck. Very much.

[Tom_Foolery]

10. I didn't get the hang of the stick until I was 33..

That was 10 years ago, and now I shift all over the place. I still get a little nervous when I'm stopped on a hill at a stop light or sign, especially when someone gets right up next to my back bumper.

[Blue-Jay]

13. You'll get used to a stick in no time, Bear.

It becomes second nature after a while. I recently bought (November) my first auto-trannie since I was 17 years old. I still find myself looking for the clutch at times when I feel the engine wants to shift gears.

[johnnie]

14. You'll be fine in it BBB

Go for it, and it doesn't take long. Good luck.