A Mini owner took her car to the dealership to get some work done. She was thrilled that they offered her a loaner vehicle. That is, until she realized she couldn't drive it.
"We’re here at the Mini dealership getting our car looked at because the drive belt actually snapped on the way here. I was actually coming to get it replaced. The plus side is they gave me a loaner," TikTok user Maze (@mazerlazer_) says, dangling the key fob to the temporary vehicle she’ll be driving in front of the camera.
Maze sits in the vehicle and takes a look around. Then she tries to start the car. Instead of the engine turning over, she hears a double-ding.
"What the heck? It’s not starting, hold on," she says, trying it again.
Off-camera, someone suggests she press the brake and try again. Then he notices something else.
"Is that the parking brake down there?" he asks. Maze replies, "Wait, why are there three pedals?"
Then she cuts the video to go inside and ask staff about the Mini Cooper. When she comes back, she says, "Okay, I’ve just been informed that this car is indeed a manual transmission," she says.
Undeterred, she says a worker told her all she needs to do is press the clutch to get it to start.
This time, the car starts up without issue. But her troubles weren't over.
"Now what? We’re gonna go on an adventure. There’s no drive on this thing. Yeah buckle up because we don’t know what the heck’s about to happen here," she says. Then she says to her companion, "I don’t suppose you know how to drive stick?"
His response doesn't exactly inspire confidence. "My dad tried to teach me years ago … meh." he says."
Are Manual Transmissions Going Extinct?
Years ago, the majority of vehicles had manual transmissions. Over time, however, they've become less common.
According to analytics compiled and published by Lookupaplate in January, there are far fewer vehicles with manual transmissions on American roads these days. The outlet writes that only 3.7% of all registered rides are stick shifts, which accounts for 7.7 million motor vehicles. Conversely, there are a whopping 202 million automatic cars.
The decline is in part because fewer auto manufacturers are making vehicles with manual transmissions.
Motor1 previously reported on the decline in automakers' production of new cars with stick shifts in the US. Throughout Europe, which has predominantly relied on manual transmissions, the same is occurring. In 2005, 89% of all new registered cars there were stick shifts. In 2023, that figure dropped to 35%.
Can You Learn To Drive A Stick Shift On Google?
Maze remains determined. "I just took a quick little Google crash course … maybe I shouldn’t say crash course on how to drive a manual transmission. Seems simple enough," she explains.
Then she gives a play-by-play of her first experience with a manual transmission. "Clutch in. We’re in reverse, all right, and we’re going," she narrates.
Alas, the car doesn't move.
"That didn’t work," she says.
People responded to her video with varying degrees of sympathy. Some feel that everyone should know how to drive a manual transmission.
"My theory is that everyone should learn how to drive stick," one said.
Another shared that they're in the same boat as Maze, writing, "My husband can drive a manual but I can’t yet. Either way I would’ve asked for an automatic."
Others couldn’t believe that the dealership would even have a loaner car that’s a stick shift. "My question is why didn’t they ask if you knew how to drive a manual? I’m sure they had other options," one wrote.
Another agreed, "Why would they loan out a manual car?? That is insane."
Motor1 has reached out to Maze via email for further information. We'll update this if she responds.
@mazerlazer_ I was so confused 🤣
♬ original sound - maze
