How a Manual Transmission Works and Why Enthusiasts Still Love It

Cars
June 4, 2025

How a Manual Transmission Works and Why Enthusiasts Still Love It

By Kristian

Manual transmission used to be the only way to drive back in the day, but with modern technology, things have shifted (pun intended), and now a very small percentage of people still drive manual. It is now more of a feature used for driving purists rather than a functional requirement of driving vehicles. But there are a passionate minority still driving manual, and if you’re interested in cars, you should understand how manual transmissions work and why some still drive manual to this day.

The Difference Between Manual and Automatic Transmission

When cars were first brought onto the market, you had to change gears yourself; this refers to the gear ratios that are responsible for moving power to the wheels. When you’re in a lower gear, you get more acceleration and torque, but when you shift to higher gears, you reach higher speeds but lose that acceleration. The gears start at 1 and usually get up to 5 or even 6 for bigger engines, and to change you have to engage the clutch switch and release the clutch while accelerating, a bit of a task.

When technology advanced, we began to see transmissions that didn’t require us to change gear, and that’s where automatic transmission came into play. You simply move your gearstick to drive, and away you go, fewer steps and straight forward. Then, as the years passed, more and more became automated, making manual vehicles a relic of the past. I mean, who wants to push the clutch and switch gears all the time anyway?

The Mechanics of Manual Transmissions

So manual is essentially the system that lets us select gear ratios, but it’s a little more complex than that, there are many moving parts that go together to ensure the gears are changed smoothly. Let’s take a look at those mechanics so we can get a better understanding of the manual system.

The Clutch

The clutch is what helps you shift gears; it’s a little pedal on the left-hand side of a manual car, and when depressed, it helps the engine and transmission temporarily disconnect so gears can change. This system usually includes the clutch disc, pressure plate, flywheel and throwout bearing. These components are connected between the engine and transmission and controlled by the clutch pedal.

When you press the clutch, the pressure plate pulls away from the clutch disc, which removes the connection between the engine and transmission. Then, when you release the clutch, the disc connects with the flywheel again, being powered back to the gearbox, allowing you to engage. It does require some balance and skill to ensure that the changes are smooth, especially when you’re in first gear. This difficulty is what can put a lot of drivers off learning a manual, because it takes some time to get it right.

Gear Sets and Ratios

Now, inside the transmission, you have a multitude of gears that allow for a range of gears, from high to low. So essentially, lower gears are able to access higher torque, and higher gears can access lower torque but better speed and economy. There are a few components of this system, including an input shaft that connects to the engine and clutch, the countershaft that holds the gears, and the output shaft that connects to the drive wheels. These all function together to respond to gear selection from the driver, connecting power to the wheels.

Synchronisers

This synchronisation ensures that the speed of the gears is matched with the shaft before engagement. They are located between gears and use friction to sync the speeds together so the gear changes are smooth without grinding. You will still need to engage in roughly the right speeds so you get the smoothest possible shift and don’t stall, but they make it much easier. In some older models, drivers would typically either match revs or double-clutch to achieve synchronisation alone. But this, by and large, isn’t practised by average drivers.

The Shift Linkage and Forks

For your shifter in the driver’s seat to work, it is connected to a shift linkage that changes the selector forks inside the transmission. These selector forkls slide the synchoronizers over the desired gear and shart and lock in the power. They connect the gears to the transmission so you can individually select the most suitable gear to be used while driving the vehicle.

Why Enthusiasts Still Love Driving a Manual

While almost all cars are now automatic, there are still a few people who love to drive a manual, these are typically either enthusiasts or sports car drivers. But there are also a few other reasons some might still be driving manually. Here is a deeper look into some of those reasons.

Driver Engagement and Involvement

I enjoy driving a manual, and one reason would be the fact that you feel much more in control when driving. When driving a manual, you feel direct feedback from the engine and can notice a closer connection between you and the engine when changing gears. You can control when to shift, how fast you accelerate or downshift. The challenge of learning and the skill it takes to drive is also enjoyable. In a world where things can be too easy and automated, it’s nice to be a little bit more involved in what you’re doing.

Performance Potential

If you have some high-performance vehicles or are involved in things like drag racing or drifting, it’s essential to have a manual transmission. This is similar to the reasons we mentioned above. You need to have more feedback and control, but also because manual transmissions weigh less, improving handling and dynamics. There is also a difference with automatic transmissions because they produce some lag and unexpected gear shifts, so if you’re looking for the optimal time to shift, either manual or semi-automatic would be better.

Easier for DIY Enthusiasts

If you’re interested in maintaining your vehicle, then you want the components to be as simple and cheap as possible. Luckily, manual transmission vehicles have fewer complex components as opposed to automatics. This not only makes it cheap to rebuild or simple to do your repairs, but it can last further in the long run without requiring too much maintenance. These are all pretty big advantages if you don’t mind driving a manual and enjoy fixing your car on the weekend.

Are Manual Vehicles Going Extinct?

The manual vehicle is a dying breed, and now, with fewer people being able to drive manual or interested in the extra steps involved, manufacturers are responding. There are fewer than 2% of new cars being produced that are manual, which is shockingly low compared to the past. But the tide hasn’t completely turned around just yet; some brands and manufacturers know enthusiasts are still looking to purchase and appreciate manual vehicles and the classically engineered masterpieces.

In particular, the performance manufacturers such as Porsche, BMW, Honda and Toyota still offer manual vehicles in specific models. The aftermarket interest is still there, with a range of companies having gearboxes and components supported by tuning companies, keeping the tradition alive. Some other automakers are reviving some models in response to demand. Even some EV companies are simulating manual-feeling vehicles so drivers can get that experience, so I wouldn’t say it’s completely dead.

Conclusion

It’s widely known now that manual transmission is no longer the default option, but there are a few of us out there who still love the control the stick shift provides. It’s typically those of us who see driving as more than just going from one place to another. Those who drive because they love the precision, control and emotional connection to the soul of the vehicle. This element will likely keep manual transmission alive because there will always be a minority of performance drivers and enthusiasts keeping it alive.