Q–I am 16 and have had my license for a few months, and the time has come to buy my all-important first car. I have started to become interested in stick shift and am interested in the major pros and cons as opposed to automatic. Ultimately, which would you recommend at my age? Your advice will count heavily. J.D., Skokie
A–At first, we were tempted to advise the biggest, heaviest old station wagon you could find. It won’t impress the babes but will be safe. These leviathans come only with an automatic.
But, we are sure that is not the answer you are looking for so we will try to give you a straight one. The act of driving demands all your attention coupled with good motor skills (not the engine, but your eye-hand coordination).
Working the gas and clutch with your feet, and the steering wheel and shifter with your hands takes plenty of coordination.
If you slip the clutch excessively as you shift, it will wear out quickly. If you release the clutch too quickly, the car will lurch, which can be hard on the transmission and engine’s thrust bearings.
An automatic is more forgiving. We suggest you get one, hone your driving skills, then move up to a stick. And, be careful out there.
Q–Twice in four years, my car would not start after a long trip. Both times in the summer. Both times I took my car to my local service station, which checked the battery and the starter, and both times the mechanic said they were all in good working order.
I took my car to another service station with the same results.
Finally, I took my car to a shrewd mechanic who, unlike the others, did a load test on the battery, instead of just testing the battery with the car off. In each case the battery was found to be the problem. And the weakness showed up only after the car was very hot. C.S.S., Buffalo Grove
A–Many batteries will show plenty of open-circuit voltage, but when a load is put on them, the voltage will drop below 9.6 volts, the minimum needed to start the car. More batteries die in hot weather than cold. In cold weather, we usually kill them trying to start a recalcitrant engine.
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Bob Weber is a former editor of a professional automotive trade magazine and an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician, having recertified every five years since 1978, and has worked in service stations and independent repair and specialty shops. Write to him in care of Motormouth, 17717 Silcott Springs Rd., Purcellville, Va. 20132. Send e-mail with name and hometown to motormth1@aol.com. Answers are supplied only through the newspaper.
