Taking a Manual BMW to Kobe

Ever since my BMW 320i was delivered, I’ve been driving it every day to practice. The first time behind the wheel, I stalled over and over. I was so nervous that my foot on the clutch and hand on the gearshift were both stiff as boards. I was left wondering, “How am I ever going to get the hang of this…?” But by the second day, I was getting much more comfortable and stalling less. By day three, I hardly stalled at all, and hill starts no longer scared me.

On delivery day, I actually thought, “This is not going well!” and ordered the sticker below from Amazon. By the time it arrived, though, I’d already got the hang of things, so there was no need to put it on. Maybe I’ll save it for practicing in the GT3 Touring.

Then came day five. Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I decided to take the 320i on the roughly 40-minute drive from home to Mosaic in Kobe Harborland. Well, actually, my daughters had been pleading to go to the Anpanman Children’s Museum, so I went reluctantly, thinking, “It’s going to be packed…” haha.

Taking the 320i onto the Hanshin Expressway

You can get from home to Harborland without using the expressway, but the navigation system recommended the Hanshin Expressway. Since I was still getting used to the car, I decided to follow its advice. Come to think of it, this was my first time driving the 320i on the highway.

I checked that the ETC toll-payment device was set up, passed through the toll gate, and accelerated. The 320i has a 2.0-liter engine, so it isn’t a large-displacement car, but being able to choose my own gears made for smooth, satisfying acceleration.

Wow, driving a manual feels great…!

At first, I nervously stayed in the left lane. But once I’d settled into the flow of traffic, it felt much like driving an automatic, so I tried moving into the passing lane. As you’d expect from the 320i, it stayed composed and stable through the lane change at speed, with no body wobble.

Traffic slowed to a crawl in a few places, but I left plenty of room ahead and managed the repeated first-gear starts. After leaving the expressway, I made it safely to Harborland.

What I’ve Learned from Driving a Manual

After a full day of fun at the Anpanman Children’s Museum and umie, we made it home safely with the kids fast asleep in the car. I haven’t been driving a manual for long, but there are a few things I’ve noticed since making the switch. I thought I’d write them down before I forget.

I Leave More Space Ahead

Since switching to a manual, I’ve naturally started leaving more distance between my car and the one in front. It’s nerve-racking to think the car ahead might suddenly stop, and keeping a bigger gap makes it easier to keep moving smoothly without coming to a complete stop. Plus, following too closely means a tiresome cycle of “stop, start, stop, start,” haha.

I Watch the Traffic Lights Farther Ahead

When I drove an automatic, I mostly paid attention to whether the light right in front of me was green, yellow, or red. In a manual, I find myself checking the lights farther up the road, too.

If the next light turns red, I figure the one ahead of me will probably change soon as well, so I should “ease off a little and downshift.” If the lights farther ahead are still green, I know I can shift up to around fourth gear and keep going. I’ve started anticipating what’s coming up and driving accordingly.

I Drive with a “What If?” Mindset

I tried to do this in an automatic, too, but with a manual I’m still a long way from being able to shift and work the clutch without thinking. So I pay more attention to possible surprises—someone stepping out, or another car suddenly pulling in—and drive in a way that lets me react at any time.

I Listen More Closely to the Car

When I drove an automatic, I didn’t pay much attention to the car’s sounds while driving. At most, I’d think, “That engine sounds great,” or “Wait, has the exhaust warmed up and made the engine sound louder than before?”

Since switching to a manual, though, I’ve started listening for subtle changes in engine sound as I ease off the clutch during a hill start. I also find myself thinking, “The car sounds like it’s working hard—I should shift up,” or “Oh no, sorry! I put it in fourth instead of second!” haha. I’ve become much more conscious of listening to what the car is telling me.

I’m More Patient with Drivers Who Don’t Move on Green

Every now and then, you come across someone who doesn’t pull away when the light turns green. They’re probably looking at their phone or caught up in a conversation and haven’t noticed the light change. I used to honk, but now I think, “Maybe they’re new to driving a manual and cautiously working the clutch right now,” and wait for them to move, haha.

Of course, that’s probably not what’s going on.

Driving a Manual Makes Me a Safer Driver

All in all, I’ve started driving more carefully. A manual car does less for you than an automatic, and so much depends on your own inputs—so you naturally stay more alert behind the wheel. I’m also still getting used to driving one.

Most people learning to drive these days seem to get an automatic-only license. But I sometimes think it might be better to learn in a manual, even if you have to start that way. Maybe it helps you develop the mindset that safe driving depends on your own hands and instincts. (Though I went straight for an automatic-only license myself!)

Maybe that’s why, the other day, while I was just driving normally around the neighborhood, an elderly man in a Lexus LS blew right past me, leaving me with a strangely unsettled feeling… haha. Still, safe driving is always the best choice, so I’ll keep making it a priority in both manual and automatic cars.