Is it bad to rest my hand on the gearstick?

Right, hands up — who’s guilty of resting their hand on the gearstick while driving? Don’t worry, this isn’t a public shaming. If anything, it’s just a bit of shared confession. Because truthfully? Most of us do it. It feels natural. Comfortable, even. One hand on the wheel, the other sort of casually lounging on the gearstick like it’s your car’s armrest. But here’s the twist — that innocent little habit might actually be doing your gearbox a bit of damage.

Now, I get it. It doesn’t feel like you’re doing anything wrong. You’re not yanking at it or grinding gears like a learner on their first hill start. You’re just… resting. Light touch. Like leaning on a doorframe while you chat. What harm could that possibly cause?

Well, apparently — quite a bit.

Let’s back up a second. Modern gearboxes are finely tuned bits of engineering. They’re built to handle a lot — rapid changes, acceleration, all that clutch-and-go nonsense. But they’re also surprisingly sensitive when it comes to constant, unnecessary pressure. When you rest your hand on the gearstick, even gently, you’re actually putting a bit of pressure on the selector fork inside the gearbox. That’s the bit responsible for moving gears into place.

Now, over time, that little bit of pressure can cause wear. And not the good, romantic kind of wear — not “lived-in jeans” or “beloved armchair” wear. We’re talking the expensive, irritating, “why is my gearbox suddenly making that noise?” kind.

Mechanics know this. They’ve seen it. They probably won’t lecture you outright — not unless you ask — but it’s one of those low-key grumbles they carry around, along with people who ignore oil lights or think tyres magically inflate themselves.

And the weird part is, it’s such a small, fixable thing. It’s not like changing your driving habits to use less fuel or remembering to check your fluids every month (though you really should). This one’s easy: take your hand off the gearstick. That’s it. Give it a break. Let it breathe.

Some drivers argue that it’s a comfort thing — a kind of security blanket. There’s something reassuring about being ready to change gears, like you’re more in control. But if we’re honest, it’s usually just habit. Left hand doesn’t quite know what to do with itself. It’s too shy to sit in your lap. Too awkward to hover in mid-air like a confused mime. So, it finds a home on the stick. Familiar. Easy.

It’s a bit like tapping your foot when you’re nervous, or checking your phone when there’s nothing to check. A physical placeholder. And once you start noticing it, you can’t un-notice it. You’ll catch yourself doing it at traffic lights. In third gear on the motorway. While singing to the radio or cursing the sat nav. That hand just drifts down — click — and settles in.

I did it all the time, to be honest. Especially on longer drives, when the road gets dull and the brain goes a bit foggy. It made me feel — I don’t know — connected to the car? Like I was part of the machinery. In sync. But after a mate who’s a mechanic casually mentioned the wear thing (in that nonchalant, “you’re probably wrecking your gearbox but what do I know?” kind of tone), I couldn’t shake it.

Now, my hand hovers awkwardly. I’ll shift, then consciously rest it somewhere else — usually the handbrake or, if I’m feeling particularly fancy, on the armrest. And yes, it feels weird at first. Like giving up a tiny ritual. But once you get used to it, you start to notice other things — how often you were doing it, how much more relaxed your shoulders feel when you’re not leaning into that position.

It’s such a small thing, but that’s the funny bit about cars, isn’t it? The little habits we form — some good, some not — end up meaning a lot more than they should. Like riding the clutch on hills because you’re scared of rolling back. Or leaving your foot hovering over the brake pedal like a nervous pigeon. These aren’t just quirks — they wear things down. Quietly.

Slowly. Until one day, you’re looking at a bill that makes you wince.

And look, this isn’t about driving perfection. No one’s saying you need to be some Zen master of the manual transmission. We’re all human. We drive distracted. We get comfy. We do things we know we probably shouldn’t (I’m looking at you, people who still don’t indicate at roundabouts).

But if there’s an easy win — something you can fix without effort or expense — why not? Taking your hand off the gearstick when you’re not changing gear isn’t just about saving your gearbox. It’s about awareness. About gently unpicking those automatic behaviours and asking: “Do I really need to be doing this?”

Maybe it’s also a reminder that cars, like people, don’t always scream when something’s wrong. Sometimes they whisper. And you only hear it if you’re listening.

So next time you’re out driving, pay attention to that left hand. See where it wants to land. Notice the urge — then resist it. Give the gearstick a break. It’s earned it. And honestly? So have you.

Anyway. Maybe that’s just me.

This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute mechanical or professional driving advice. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, vehicle designs and recommendations can vary. Always refer to your vehicle’s manual or consult a qualified mechanic for guidance specific to your car.