Manual Transmission Foils Car Theft
Car theft is a serious problem in the United States, with over 700,000 vehicles stolen in 2019. While there are many factors that contribute to car theft, one of the most important is the type of transmission the vehicle has. Manual transmission vehicles are much more difficult to steal than automatic transmission vehicles, making them a less attractive target for thieves.
There are several reasons why manual transmission vehicles are more difficult to steal. First, thieves need to know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle in order to steal it. This is a skill that not all thieves have, which makes manual transmission vehicles less desirable targets. Second, manual transmission vehicles have a clutch pedal, which must be depressed in order to shift gears. This makes it more difficult for thieves to start the vehicle and drive away.
In addition to these factors, manual transmission vehicles often have additional security features that make them more difficult to steal. For example, some manual transmission vehicles have a steering wheel lock, which makes it impossible to turn the steering wheel without the key. Other manual transmission vehicles have a gear shift lock, which makes it impossible to shift the vehicle out of park without the key.
As a result of these factors, manual transmission vehicles are much less likely to be stolen than automatic transmission vehicles. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that manual transmission vehicles are 40% less likely to be stolen than automatic transmission vehicles.
Benefits of a Manual Transmission
In addition to being more difficult to steal, manual transmission vehicles offer a number of other benefits over automatic transmission vehicles. These benefits include:
- Better fuel economy: Manual transmission vehicles typically get better fuel economy than automatic transmission vehicles because they allow drivers to select the most efficient gear for the driving conditions.
- More control: Manual transmission vehicles give drivers more control over the vehicle’s performance. This can be an advantage when driving in challenging conditions, such as snow or ice.
- More fun to drive: Many drivers find manual transmission vehicles more fun to drive than automatic transmission vehicles. This is because manual transmission vehicles allow drivers to be more engaged in the driving experience.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a vehicle that is less likely to be stolen, a manual transmission vehicle is a good choice. Manual transmission vehicles are more difficult to steal than automatic transmission vehicles, and they offer a number of other benefits as well.
