Manual
Manual turns up in 2 fields: automotive, shop slang. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Manual in automotive
A vehicle equipped with a transmission that requires the driver to shift gears by hand.
Used as shorthand for a manual transmission vehicle, this term distinguishes the car from an automatic. It implies the presence of a driver-operated clutch pedal and a mechanical gear selector. Enthusiasts often prefer these vehicles for the direct mechanical connection to the drivetrain and greater control over engine RPM.
"I told the lot attendant to pull the manual around, but he doesn't know how to drive stick."
Manual in shop slang
The manufacturer's instructional booklet for operating or repairing equipment.
The official documentation provided with a machine, tool, or software system detailing its assembly, operation, and troubleshooting procedures. On the shop floor, it is famously ignored until a catastrophic failure occurs or a complex assembly refuses to fit together.
"If you can't figure out the error code on the lathe, dig the manual out of the supervisor's desk."