car rental--automatic or manual???

Yes, it's like riding a bike. Even if you reserve an automatic, you won't always get it.

We just rented a car recently with my dad in the UK - he hasn't driven a manual in years and it came right back to him. (He did struggle on the other side of the road though!)

Hi J,

I agree. It will come back to you.

I suggest that you spend a while getting used to the car and the gearbox.

You didn't have a 5-speed in the old days.

Have them show you how to put the car in reverse. It varies.

Enjoy your visit.

Make sure you know where the 'hand' brake is. Some newer models have an improved system with a push button brake and not a lever.

I drove a manual car in high school (and I think I'm older than you - we didn't HAVE computers!). Since that time I've only regularly driven automatics. We always request a manual car for our European trips in order to save money. One thing I've noticed, especially in these last few years, is that the cars are actually much easier to shift (especially the starting in 1st thing) than when I was growing up. We've occasionally put our teens behind the wheel for a quick try at a manual transmission and they can almost always get it going the 1st or 2nd time. I remember it took me forever to get the feel of the clutch.

So bottom line - I don't think you'll have any problem and you'll probably find it easier than you remember.

Click my name and read my Spain trip report. It will be on the first page by the top.

Basically I'll give you the gist of it:

If you try booking through AutoEurope's other English speaking international websites, you get a whole different list of cars and prices. But they still allow you to put in a US address (assuming you are from the US) so the voucher works with no problem. We needed an automatic and the US AutoEurope site was coming back over $1200. I tried the United Kingdom site and got a little Mercedes automatic for like $500. So I'm saying that you might be able to find a reasonable automatic and then not have to worry about it.

I second the suggestion that you get a review of reverse. That seems to be different on every car over there, but otherwise standard shift is a snap. Not only is it cheaper to rent but it gets better gas mileage.

I agree - It does come right back to you!

Also, driving in Spain is a pleasure. Roads were well marked and easily traveled!

Enjoy!

Spain is a good country for driving. Get the manual, an IDP, and do what irish said...make sure they show you how to get into reverse

Thanks everyone!!! As long as I don't have to park uphill I'm good to go!!!

also ask how to open the fuel filler door.. i spent hours trying to figure out one one time. very embarrasing..


just remember, its a rental car, dont be afraid to rev it up to 4k and drop teh clutch. they have to pay for the damages muhhcchcha

Actually, Hanley, I've seen some posts from others indicating that they have been charged for damage to a transmission or clutch, so be cautious about suggesting who would be responsible for the damage!

Don't assume you won' have to park (or stop at a light) uphill. There was a recent thread about a rental car that didn't have a conventional hand brake, but rather an improved semi-automatic or automatic parking brake.

He/she didn't know how to use it, didn't want to know how to use, and made a major stink here on Fodors about insisting on a good ole hand brake.

I wouldn't put anyone else behind the wheel (as mentioned above) unless they were listed on the rental agreement as extra drivers.

Also be sure you know how to get the key out of the ignition -- my friend drives a Saab, and one day I had her car and had no idea how to do that. Fortunately, the manual was in the glove compartment.

When in the UK we rent automatic - everywhere else manual. So you grind a few gears to begin with - one mile and you will know what you are doing. Good luck!!

Plan to spend a few minutes in the airport rental car parking lot getting used to the transmission. Yes, you will remember how to shift.

Here is another tip :

Before you leave that rental car lot, pop off the front wheel covers. In many places, street curbs in Europe are made of very sharp edged, hubcap-eating sharp stones. Losing wheelcovers is very very common.

Replacement wheel covers in Europe are expensive (At least $ 60 each for a plain one) and hard to find.

Life is so much easier if you just put the front wheel covers in the trunk before you ever leave the airport. Pop them back on just before you return the car.

TravelandNature

We did a couple of years ago driving through Benelux. It was not a positive experience. I hadn't driven a stick shift in 20 years, but thought I'd pick it up again with very little problem.

WRONG! Never again. It did not ruin the vacation by any means, but it was very inconvenient in traffic, on winding hill roads, etc. God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided us with automatic transmissions, and we should partake of His bounty.

I pretty sure the rental car company had to have the transmission overhauled after we turned the car in.

i agree that spain is a great country for driving. i know, i paid for the roads.

i'm not totally sure about spain (i always hire a small car and they are always manual as default) but here in the uk, larger, more luxurious cars are nearly always automatic. not as much so 5-10 years ago but manual is increasingly seen as a mark of a cheap, economy car....kind of like having a luxury car without aircon.

It all comes back, but only after you stall the car as you exit the rental lot! At least that's what happens to me, but I love driving a manual once I get over that first little hurdle.

A little birdie reminded me that the first time you turn the key (in the parking lot, backed up to a nice sturdy concrete & steel post), make sure the car is in neutral or you depress the clutch!!!

Otherwise the car will move and you might not like the result.

Make certain you check out clutch transmission on manual rental car on drive around prior to delivery. We lost one day of trip because previous drivers had ground the clutch and transmission to death.

Now we only rent automatic in spite of the cost.

Oh dear, my (manual capability) self esteem is starting to waver--but thanks for all the tips. I'll definitely make a check list to go over when I pickup the car!

Hi,

I rarely drive a manual car. Actually, I only drive one on our trips. Everyone's different of course, but it always comes right back to me. What I need to get used to is the lights, radio and controls (wipers, rear wipers, turn signals, etc.) in an unfamiliar car. We'll sit in the car before leaving until I know where everything is. Usually about 15 minutes. Then I'll take a slow ride around the lot (some are multi level at the airports) getting used to the shifting again. That's all it takes for me.

Paul

Could you find a friend at home (or do a daily rental) who would be willing to let you test drive his/her manual BEFORE you got to Spain just so you would feel a bit more comfortable. I never drive anything but a stick shift so I've never had to contemplate this particular problem. My alternative problem is renting an automatic in the US, driving for a week or so, then coming home and stalling my own car at the first light I come upon because I am still in auto mode.

I thought of that palette but for some reason my best friend's husband won't let me practice on his corvette!!!!

It will come back to you.
And look at the bright side, the "retraining" will be on someone else's car.

Why not find a friend who drives a stick and ask them if they'd let you drive it for a little while - even a controlled environment like a parking lot or something?

I prefer the stick. You get better performance and better mileage out of the small euro cars.

I would echo the comments about making sure you know how to put it in reverse and make sure you know how to put gas in.

I leased a Renault in Europe and had the darndest time locking the car. Rather than a key it had a card. I would walk away from the car, push the lock button, then walk back to check and it was unlocked. Turned out the card had a proximity device that automatically unlocked the car when I got close. LOL.

Hi Jayne11159; It's a simple decision. If you do not feel comfortable driving a 'stick shift', get the automatic. Consider, you could fing yourself in 'stop' and 'go' traffic and it will not be fun. ENJOY Iris

We had a similar experience to jake1 while in the Dordogne 18 months ago. DH had never driven a stick on a frequent basis, but he did know how. His last experience had been 12+ years earlier.

It didn't ruin the trip, but it made us uneasy a lot of the time. We're planning on renting automatics in Europe from now on.

Another tip ..... you will probably get a diesel. Watch what you are doing at gas stations!!! ALWAYS put the nozzle into the car and CHECK the label on the fuel cap BEFORE you squeeze the trigger!!!

And another ...... if your radio aerial is removable, take it off when you park!!

Roger
http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr

We usually get a manual car just because it is cheaper, but on the last (2008, July) we requested an automatic from Kemwel and it was just a couple hundred more. Normally, we rent from Auto Europe. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our trip, so not sure if there would have been any additional costs. Check them out.

Having driven all over both France and Italy, I highly recommend an automatic. It might cost a little more but is worth it on the narrow, hilly streets.

Getting in and out of parking lots in Spain can be really difficult under any circumstances, and if you get stuck on an incline waiting to get out with a stick shift and you are not comfortable with a stick shift you might really regret it.

I vote for automatic very, very strongly, having made the mistake of saving the few hundred dollars and getting the stick shift, and regretting it several times.

Is it easier to drive an automatic? I have to rent a car in Jamaica in January and can only find automatics and I've never driven one. How is the transition from manual transmission to automatic?

Laura - it's easier except when you forget you are driving an automatic and mash in the brake. ar ar ar

Just returned from Spain a few weeks ago, and we had a manual shift rental car. I, like you, hadn't driven a stick-shift in eons, but found that it is a skill that comes back easily. I had absolutely no issues with driving the car.

As an aside, I have often said to friends and family who have never learned to drive a manual shift car, that they are courting trouble. I think being able to manually shift gears in a car should be considered a "life skill," One never knows when in an emergency situation, that may be the only means of transportation available.

Yes, Lauralamb, an automatic is easy. Just remember to use only your right foot. Tell your left foot it's having a vacation. Otherwise you may have some very sudden stops.

Trying to dissect your various experiences and it sounds to me that if at some point in your life you drove a manual on a regular basis, and then like 99% of us, converted to automatics as the norm, then it's not a problem to revert back to a manual for a few weeks. I also learned to drive a manual in the hills of Tennessee. The only time I had a problem was the first week of driving and I'd parked downhill so that I could get a "running" start. When it was time to leave a garbage truck had parked two feet in front of me. Since I was young and cute, the truck driver backed my car up the hill far enough to get my running start. Maybe some 80 year-old geezer will still think I'm cute enough if I get into a similar bind in Spain.

Could agree with you more dreamer--knowing how to drive a manual should be a life skill!

Heh Heh...I think I'll need to take a couple of practice shots round the car park before I head out on the road!