Manual transmission space ship

Today’s ‘Mr Boffo’ cartoon: http://www.mrboffo.com/comicsweb/mrboffoweb/strips/20190509bfo_s_web.jpg I wonder how many get the joke

VW’s new ad touches on that. “Hey, aren’t you gonna lock the car?” “Nah, it’s a manual.”

No, No, No… Everybody knows you have to retard the spark before starting.