Does anyone else like to drive (especially in town or 4 wheeling) with their hand on the manual stick shifter? A couple of owners manuals I've read say not to rest your hand on the shifter. Does it hurt anything if you do?

 

lol no it doesnt hurt anything. Is this a serious question or are you joking haha

 

i usually have my hand doing something else.

usually with the gf's consent.

 

You have quite a bit of leverage with the shift lever, so even just the weight of your hand/arm hanging on the end of the shift lever can cause premature wear of the shift fork. I am sure it takes quite a bit of time, but still not a good habit to be in. Besides, your second hand should return to the steering wheel once you are done shifting.

 

i almost always have my hand on the shifter. probably because i got used to haulin grain in indianapolis in the semi where you are always stoppin/starting/slowing down which means you are always shifting so you never have time to take your hand off the shifter. and i do not see how it could hurt anything

 

I leave my hand on it to, off and on. but i have a arm rest so really my arm is on the arm rest a very very lil rest on the shifter.

 

i drive with my hand resting on the shifter alot. but like nighthawk said, my arm is on my armrest alot too.

 

In the instances you're talking about, I like to have both hands on the wheel, especially when off road. The last thing I need, especially in the mountains, is a big rut yanking the wheel out of my hand, and my truck off the trail.

 

^^^ This.

It really is a habit you need to change. Keeping your hand on the shifter puts undue pressure and wear on the shifting fork and synchros. Grab your girlfriend instead. All 3 of you (you, your truck and your GF) will be happier.

And another thing: holding the clutch pedal down while at a stop is hard on the throwout bearing. Just leave the thing in neutral without touching anything until the light turns green, drop the pedal, shift into first...

 

Oh well yeah off roading always with two hands