Manual gearbox reality check: modern drivers struggle without smart car tech
A driver found her skills had faded when she rented a manual car instead of her automatic.
A writer drives a 2024 Kia Sorento. She rented a 2018 Suzuki Jimny with a manual gearbox.
This was during a holiday in French Polynesia. She found how much her driving instincts had faded.
She had driven automatics for more than 20 years. Returning to a manual on the opposite side of the road proved humbling.
The driver stalled repeatedly. She forgot how to manage the clutch and accelerator.
She was frustrated by steering wheel locks that modern drivers no longer use. Modern cars have thousands of sensors and automatic features.
These include lane assist and automatic braking. They are now "supercomputers on wheels".
The experience revealed something important. Driving a manual is not like riding a bike.
Skills fade away when cars handle routine tasks.
- 20-plus years
- Years on automatics
- 2024 Kia Sorento
- Home car
- 2018 Suzuki Jimny
- Rental car
- 1.5-litre
- Suzuki engine
Why it mattersAs cars take on more driving tasks, drivers may lose basic skills. This could hurt safety and confidence. They might struggle with older or simpler vehicles.
AustraliaAustralian drivers who rely heavily on modern vehicle automation may find themselves unprepared if they need to operate older or manual vehicles.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 d ago
