Can you drive a 3 on the tree?

[signalman]

Here a 1961 Ford Fairlane with a rare "4 on the tree".

I like the four-on-the-tree, though I have never seen a lever like that on the dash for reverse.  Sounds like this car is equipped with a V-8 engine, too.

However, the driver is making one mistake that will lead to premature clutch failure - keeping the clutch disengaged as a substitute for putting the transmission in neutral

That is not a good idea.  When the driver wants the transmission disengaged and is not shifting between gears, the trans should be in neutral and the clutch  should be left engaged (pedal out).  Now I realize there are times when this is not practical (such as waiting for a green light on an uphill sloping road), but in general, leave it in neutral and prolong the life of the clutch.

This is true.  It also gets quite heavy on the left foot depressing the clutch for longer than needed.

[corco]

That guy rides the clutch a lot longer when he starts from the stop than I assume is necessary too- I've never driven a car that required that much time with the clutch partially engaged, and I've driven sticks with some pretty low-end torquey engines.

My guess is this guy is learning to drive a stick and they filmed it

[kphoger]

I didn't drive a 3 on the tree but I saw some Youtube clips.

Hey, that's practically the same thing!   



Seriously, as other people have said on here....  I've never driven a three in the tree, but I don't see why I couldn't do it.  The topic is "Can you...".  Sure, I can!

[signalman]

That guy rides the clutch a lot longer when he starts from the stop than I assume is necessary too- I've never driven a car that required that much time with the clutch partially engaged, and I've driven sticks with some pretty low-end torquey engines.

My guess is this guy is learning to drive a stick and they filmed it

I thought that too when I first watched the video.  I chalked it up to a poor camera angle and really hoped he wasn't "riding the clutch," as it appears he is.  However, you make a good point in that maybe he is just learning to drive a manual.  In which case those mistakes make sense, I guess.  He just better learn how to do it correctly quickly, otherwise he better have deep pockets and be good with his hands.