Originally Posted by godwin (Post 6310955)

Wouldn't it depend on how much tension / articulation on the cable shift? I mean a hand on the shifter won't be too different than a bump on the road? Unless the driver have heavy hands? I always assume it requires quite a bit of force to engage the syncros.

Then again, I don't think I've owned a latitudinal laid out car.. so I won't know.

Originally Posted by EuroTRASH (Post 6310640)

Don't put tension on it if you do keep your hand on it. You can wear out the shift forks.

Originally Posted by Blinky (Post 6311126)

Ever tried to pop your car out of gear while it's moving and on-throttle (when there's tension in the drivetrain)? Doesn't feel too good mechanically does it? Put too much pressure on the shifter and you could be doing something similar. Having your hand on the shifter is a habit to break.

Originally Posted by Blinky (Post 6311126)

Indeed. My GF got nervous when I was holding her hand while driving (shifting with my left). Downside to stick I guess... but a trade I can make.

Originally Posted by cakeTech (Post 6310620)

i normally keep my hands between my legs. or the passengers.

just makes more sense than keeping it on my shifter


although i would imagine there would be adverse affects if you were to put enough pressure on the shifter.

keep your hands on the wheel, or between some legs.

Originally Posted by RabidRat (Post 6311208)

I don't think I put enough pressure on the shifter that that's an issue, but I do have another thought. My shifter vibrates a lot - if my hand's keeping it from moving around freely like that, is that in itself putting undue pressure on the fork / synchros / whatever else?

Originally Posted by Rich Sandor (Post 6310791)

The reason why you are told to keep your hands off the shifter, is so that you keep your hands on the steering wheel so that you have more control over the vehicle. Race car drivers never touch the shifter unless they are actually shifting.

If you are sitting at a red light on Kingsway in rush hour traffic, there is nothing wrong with resting your hand on the shifter. You cannot do any mechanical harm to the gears unless you actually try to engage them without depressing the clutch and grind them.

You also do not wear out the clutch by resting your foot on the pedal, unless you actually are pushing down on the pedal. You are told not to "ride the clutch" because generally people put a little too much pressure on it accidentally and actually DO depress the clutch partially, and also if you get into an accident, you want to have your left foot bracing the dead pedal or floorboard, not the clutch or brake pedal.

Originally Posted by Rich Sandor (Post 6310791)

You also do not wear out the clutch by resting your foot on the pedal, unless you actually are pushing down on the pedal. You are told not to "ride the clutch" because generally people put a little too much pressure on it accidentally and actually DO depress the clutch partially, and also if you get into an accident, you want to have your left foot bracing the dead pedal or floorboard, not the clutch or brake pedal.

Originally Posted by Raid3n (Post 6311507)

like someone already said, if i'm doing an emergency stop, first i'll try hard breaking including downshifting, but if its beyond all hope, its both feet in.

Originally Posted by !LittleDragon (Post 6310803)

I leave my arm on the center arm rest that runs all the way along the cabin in traffic. If I'm going a decent speed or if it's raining/slippery, it's both hands on the wheel.

Originally Posted by Gatorade (Post 6312949)

it wouldn't be an emergency stop if you had enough time to downshift while braking

Originally Posted by JqC (Post 6310690)

Fuckin gangsta lean

Left hand over top of steering wheel
Right hand with cell phone up to ear
Lean body towards middle, while constantly nodding head slowly