Voices from the past

Ride the clutch: to keep partially engaged by slightly depressing a pedal with the foot.
                                                                       <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/>

I am borrowing my brother's 1997 Toyota Tacoma pickup for a few weeks. On a late night drive home from the airport last month, my Ford* Ranger pickup overheated without my noticing it. I guess idiot lights are not enough for some idiots. Even after fixing, flushing, and refilling the cooling system, it looks like the truck is a goner without some extensive repairs to expensive sounding parts like head gaskets and pistons. Dealers won't take the truck as a trade-in since it has a salvage title (why I got a deal on it in the first place). Donating it to a charity does not seem very charitable.

So I have been keenly following the proposed "Cash for Clunkers" legislation. In various iterations, the plan would create an economic incentive (up to $4500) for drivers of vehicles getting poor mileage to scrap their junkers and purchase new vehicles that get many more miles per gallon. Helps the environment, helps slumping auto sales, and provides people like me with a slick way to get rid of a worthless piece of rusting sheet metal. This would be my little piece of economic stimulus. I only hope I can spend it as wisely as the auto and banking executives have spent theirs.

Body double for the real truck.

So while I wait to see what transpires congressionally, my little brother is letting me use his truck. At 100,000 miles plus, it's in good shape and drives well, although it does shimmy a little between 90 and 95 mph. So it's handy to have the truck bed into which one can just toss the parts that fall off. (Just teasing, Jeff.)

It's the first time in quite a while I've driven a vehicle with a manual transmission - and it's fun. I had once sworn I'd never drive a vehicle with power windows or an automatic transmission, but somehow I turned into an old fart and now sort of appreciate those conveniences - along with remote door locks, AC and cruise.

What I find interesting is that every time I go to change gears, I hear my dad's voice growling, "Don't ride the damn clutch!" I heard this a lot when I was learning to drive in Dad's old farm pickup (three-speed on the column). It takes awhile for beginning drivers to get the "feel" of releasing the clutch and applying the gas in a ratio that provides smooth acceleration. So learners often keep their left foot on the clutch pedal itself between shifts where it can be easily found when it's needed. According to Dad, this slight pressure results in the nearly immediate destruction of the clutch mechanism, leading to expensive repairs for which I would be responsible.

I learned to drive over 40 years ago, and I still hear, "Don't ride the damn clutch!" each time I shift.

What voices from the past do you hear that still advise you? What advice have you given to your children or students that you hope they will hear 40 years later?

*FORD - Fix Or Repair Daily

Comments

[teacherninja]

I thought FORD was Found On Road Dead.

I learned on an automatic, but I tried to drive my mom's manual a few times with mediocre results at best. I decided to avoid manuals in the future. In college with just a bicycle, I was invited to a party off campus. I ran into a fellow that seemed generous and sure enough, he tossed me his keys. I jogged down to the lot, hopped in his compact, and froze at the sight of the stick shift. It sounded like a really fun party. It only took me two circuits of the parking lot to decide I had it down cold. I guess you really can learn something with the proper motivation, as my Daddy always said.

[Janet]

I'm with Teacherninja, Found On Road Dead.

My first car was a Fiat (Fix It Again, Tony) with a standard transmission that my boyfriend drove off the lot for me and taught me how to drive. There were 4 things (Besides the good kind law abiding person stuff) I wanted for my children,one of which was being able to drive a standard transmission. 3 of the 4 can.

Father's voice in my ear? "Use your head, child, for something besides a hat rack!"

What my kids hear? "Different doesn't mean inferior" I know it stuck after reading a paper of my daughter's, and she quoted me! That scared me, because of course I thought all those years they were tuning me out! What have I done? So much more is NOT printable! :)

[Janice Robertson]

My dad died 11 years ago, but still, while driving, I can hear him saying, "Never change lanes without looking." and I never have. They have been several times, though, that I was going to, and I heard his voice, looked, and saw a car or motorcycle where moments ago, I'd have sworn there was nothing!

I hope my son remembers, "Life is too short to hold a grudge" ,
"It's really hard, but necessary to be the one to take the first step.", and
"If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

I hope my students remember, "It's only a mistake if you've learned nothing from it."

[RJGustafson]

The driving father quote was "Stay out of the g-- d--- ditch!" Used on my older sister. Which I believe led to an executive decision Dad didn't drive with the rest of us right away. Mom did all the initial teaching. The quote is so family "famous" it was used an anecdote during his funeral. Edited as above of course! A general life quote was, "Don't cry over spilt milk."

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Ninja,

I like your acronym for FORD even better. I also hear Flip Over Read Directions. I hate to sound unAmerican, but I think the Ranger is the last American made car I buy.

Doug

Thanks, Janet. I am guessing your children DO hear your voice. And it is a little scary when you hear your kids echo something you often say.

All the best,

Doug

Hi Janice,

All great "voices." I especially like the last bit about mistakes!

All the best,

Doug

Hi RJ,

I may have heard my dad say something similar :-)

Doug