When we compare two things, there is always the good and the bad to consider. Likewise, when comparing “manual” cars with “auto”, let’s point out the advantages of the manual cars over the auto ones.

1) Price wise
Without a doubt, manual versions are much cheaper. Sometimes, the price can vary between RM5000 – RM10,000.

To purchase an “auto” car, a buyer might have to fork out a bigger sum as compared to a manual one.

2) Auto cars are of bigger c.c.
Bigger c.c. cars normally are believed to consume more petrol than manual ones.

Unless petrol consumption doesn’t matter much to you, you had better think twice over before deciding whether to purchase a manual or an auto car.

3) Maintenance by agents as compared to ordinary foremen
Manual cars can mostly be maintained or serviced by usual foremen. Their charges are also lower as compared to agents.

The use of modern equipment, usually used by agents, will undoubtly raise repair bills of an “auto” car.

4) Spare parts of automatic appear to be much more expensive
Without any doubt, auto cars with its sophisticated parts will need spare parts which are more expensive as compared to ordinary manual cars.

Unless one has the cash or money to own an auto car, it is better for one to stay clear from buying an automatic car.

5) Most agents of auto cars are located in larger towns
As most agents seem to have their workshops located in bigger towns and cities within Malaysia, the problem arises when a consumer living in smaller cities as Taiping or Kuala Kubu Bahru for example, might have to send their auto vehicles to say Penang where the agent’s headquarters are located.

The overhead charges for repairing the broken down vehicle will therefore be higher.

6) Lack of power of auto cars as some claim
People who have experienced the using of auto cars claim that the auto cars have less power, especially when going uphill areas.

Compared to manual cars with the equivalent c.c., auto cars seem to lack the “punch” provided by the manual versions.

7) The resale value of auto vehicles
Those involved in the sale of vehicles say auto cars have a lower resale values as compared to non auto ones.

Whether this is a fact or a fiction, it is left to you to make a decision. If you are one person to whom money seems to be no problem, by all means then go for the “auto”.

Whether to choose the “auto” or “manual” version one thing seems to be certain. Like other countries, Malaysia is fast moving into a modern era of vehicles.

Even the Transport Authorities are contemplating very seriously whether to allow learners the use of automatic cars by driving schools and institutes across the country.

It’s only a matter of time. It’s a tide we may be unable to withstand. The question facing us is “auto” or “no auto”.

“What are the correct gears to use?” This question was posed to this blog recently. In trying to answer this request, I shall assume we are dealing with a 5 gears manual car.

Gear 1 and 2 are considered “low” gears. 3, 4 and 5 would then be classified as “high” gears.

The 1st & 2nd Gear

Gear 1 is called a “momentum” gear. Its function is to set or move the car into momentum.

Use gear 2 crossing “bonggol” or “humps” or in other words “speed breakers”. For negotiating “L” corners or “90 degree” turns, use the 2nd gear also.

When following behind cars in a “traffic jam” situation, obviously the 2nd gear is also utilized extensively.

The 3rd Gear

With gear 3, the car has now moved into quite a fast momentum. Gear 3 is ideal for taking “round corners” or “slight corners”. One important thing to be reminded of drivers is “Do not step on the clutch when negotiating such corner”. It is dangerous!

It might even get you into a “spin”, making you unable to control the vehicle. You might even land up in a ditch or “longkang” as they say in Bahasa Malaysia.

When overtaking another car, especially along the highway or “lebuhraya”, a driver needs to draw parallel to the car being overtaken, then quickly change to the 3rd gear, accelerate fast and finally in a burst of speed, draw pass the vehicle, eventually signaling left to gradually move left slowly into the inner lane.

When approaching a hill and then going downhill, the 3rd gear has also to be employed. The correct use of this gear will come gradually with practice. As the saying goes: “Practice makes perfect”.

The 3rd gear has also to be used when going up the upper lobby of “parking lots” at certain supermarkets.

The 4th & 5th Cruising Gear

The 4th gear is considered a “cruising” speed gear. With it, the car speeds along the highway effortlessly. Using this gear will save you quite a lot on fuel consumption.

Like the 4th gear, the 5th gear plays nearly the same role as the previous gear. Fuel consumption with this gear is even more dramatic, so say the motor experts. So engage usage of the 5th gear as often as possible. You won’t regret it.

With the completion of the 5th gears usage, the ideal way to use all the gears from gear 1 to 5 is thus near completion. With this detailed explanation on “correct gear usage” it is hoped Driving School Malaysia Blog readers will no longer deem it necessary to request the writer to further explanation on this subject.

How To Drive A Manual Gear Vehicle

Before attempting to teach or instruct a student how to drive, firstly we have to introduce him or her a few important parts of the car.

Therefore, explain to the students the followings:

1) Steering. It controls the wheels. The best manner is to place your hands in what is termed as “ten and two” position. At no time must your hands be placed below the lower half of the steering. Also do not criss-cross your hands.

2) The Horn. In most cars, the horn is normally situated in the middle of the steering. In some cases, there are two “horn” knobs placed at the side of the steering itself. Some Continental cars will also have the horn button on the steering levers.

3) The Indicators or Signals. The indicators or signals are either on the left side or right side of the steering stalk. Pushing it, upwards indicates turning left and pushing it downwards indicates turning right.

4) The Rear View Mirror, The Left and Right Side Mirror. The rear view mirror is placed in front of the driver’s forehead. The left and right side view mirrors are placed on the left and right side of the car.

The driver has to adjust all three mirrors to enable him to see the back of the car clearly.

5) The Gears. Gears are placed in the centre of the car. Usually a driver uses his left hand to control the gear knob. Modern cars, where are usually “floor gears types” are 5 gears models.

Positions of gears, especially 1 – 4 has to be made known to the new driver about to be instructed. “Reverse” gear and 5th gears could be shown to the candidate at a later stage. These 2 gears are recommended to be introduced only at a later stage.

6) Adjusting the Seat. It is extremely important a new learner be shown how to adjust the seat. Normally, there is a “lever” situated below the left hand side of the seat.

Using one’s left hand, pull the lever upwards, sliding the seat forward or backwards until the seating position is most comfortable. The “incline” seating position should also be shown to the new driver.

7) The Controls of the Car – “Clutch”, “Brakes” and “Accelerator”. Positioned below the steering are:

i) the clutch

ii) the brakes

iii) the accelerator

The clutch is controlled using the left leg. To apply the brakes, we use the right leg. Accelerator is solely controlled by the right leg. Once again, remember, the accelerator is to be controlled by the right leg only.

8) The Hand Brakes. To install the hand brake, pull the brake upwards. To release the hand-brakes, first pull it approximately 1 inch upwards, press the knob in front of the brakes, and then release it downwards.

9) The Wipers. Wipers are situated either to the left or right side of the steering. Normally, the wiper has 3 speed – slow, intermittent and fast.

10) The Lights. Consist of Low Beam and High Beam. The lights illuminate the road in front of the car when it is dark.

11) The Ignition Key. The ignition key is situated on the right side of the stalk. Demonstrate to the student that the ignition key has to be cranked or turned 3 movement to the right. Only on the 3rd turn will the car be cranked into starting.

The starting procedure is important. When the engine stalls (dies off), the instructor, sitting on the left, is unable to assist the new driver much. Therefore, it is the new driver himself who has to start the car himself.

When an instructor has completed explaining all the major components of the car to the new driver, his next step is now to begin the process of imparting no nonsense knowledge of driving the vehicle itself.

Driving A Manual Car Guide

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