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第一次开手档柴油pickup

There is a Washington Slagbaai National Park on the island of Bonaire. The AirBnB host says one is not regarded as having been to Bonaire if he doesn't visit this park. For sure we'll do it!

But the problem is, the road in the park is famously rough.  Our small rental car doesn't seem to be tough enough for it.  So we rent a pickup.  To save USD$17, we get a standard one.

This is my first time "officially" driving a standard car.  I know how it works, I have experience riding a standard motorcycle, that's it.

The first challenge is I couldn't start the car!  After many tries, I figure out that I have to depress the clutch when I turn the key.  Tada!

The next challenge comes up quickly.  To start moving.  I only know the theory about releasing clutch in the same time of releasing brake and applying gas.  It takes a few tries too!

On urban roads it's not easy, as I have to switch gear each time I stop and start, slow down and speed up.  When we get on the highway, things become easy.  Gear 5 all the way!

And it's on the countryside highway that a pickup shows its advantages.  No need to slow down on small potholes.  The car would just go over them at 80km/h without much bumping. 

In the park there are some more challenges.  I get stalled a few times on steep uphill, couldn't start.  Eventually have to slowly reverse to the bottom of the hill and start again.

I also find some fun part.  When there is a mild downhill, I can depress the clutch and the car goes without any resistance from the transmission.  So cool.

After one full day, the fuel economy is surprisingly low: 6.5L/100km.  On this island diesel is 1/3 cheaper than gasoline.  

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Replies, comments and Discussions:

  • 枫下家园 / 我爱我车 / 第一次开手档柴油pickup +1

    There is a Washington Slagbaai National Park on the island of Bonaire. The AirBnB host says one is not regarded as having been to Bonaire if he doesn't visit this park. For sure we'll do it!

    But the problem is, the road in the park is famously rough.  Our small rental car doesn't seem to be tough enough for it.  So we rent a pickup.  To save USD$17, we get a standard one.

    This is my first time "officially" driving a standard car.  I know how it works, I have experience riding a standard motorcycle, that's it.

    The first challenge is I couldn't start the car!  After many tries, I figure out that I have to depress the clutch when I turn the key.  Tada!

    The next challenge comes up quickly.  To start moving.  I only know the theory about releasing clutch in the same time of releasing brake and applying gas.  It takes a few tries too!

    On urban roads it's not easy, as I have to switch gear each time I stop and start, slow down and speed up.  When we get on the highway, things become easy.  Gear 5 all the way!

    And it's on the countryside highway that a pickup shows its advantages.  No need to slow down on small potholes.  The car would just go over them at 80km/h without much bumping. 

    In the park there are some more challenges.  I get stalled a few times on steep uphill, couldn't start.  Eventually have to slowly reverse to the bottom of the hill and start again.

    I also find some fun part.  When there is a mild downhill, I can depress the clutch and the car goes without any resistance from the transmission.  So cool.

    After one full day, the fuel economy is surprisingly low: 6.5L/100km.  On this island diesel is 1/3 cheaper than gasoline.  

    • Great experience! Do you feel "graduated" from handling a manual transmission after the one-day's intensive practice? It's a good "graduation thesis".👏 😀
      • Yeah, somehow it's enjoyable. :D
    • 下坡不挂档很危险啊。 +4
      • I also find some fun part. When there is a mild downhill,
        I can depress the clutch and the car goes without any resistance from the transmission. So cool. 离出事不远了。记住为了你和家人的安全,在车移动时(无论制动还是滑行),都不要用空挡或踩下离合器(以保持驱动半桥同步),特别是在下坡路,除非车速在<20公里/小时。
        • Totally agree. As it was a narrow and windy dirt road, I drove at about 15km/h.
    • 啥型号年份的车吖?啥公司租的车?听说手动停产很久了。
      • From Avis in Bonaire. It's a Fiat.
        • Thank you for the info, would love to try one!