Manual vs Automatic Cars: Which is better?

The main difference is that, automatic cars don’t have a clutch pedal. You also have a simplified gearbox. Manual transmission cars have five or six gears, plus reverse, giving you full control over how the car performs.

Automatic cars tend to have four modes:

• Park – P
• Reverse – R
• Neutral – N
• Drive – D

The car itself selects the right gear for the speed and road conditions. This means you only need to think about whether you’re moving forward, backward, or parking. Many car brands come in both manual and automatic versions.

There are a number of alternative types of automatic transmission, including Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT) gearboxes, single automated clutches and twin clutches. For the purposes of this comparison, we’re looking at the traditional automatic gearbox.

Are manual cars better than automatic cars?

Well, this could depend on your preference, circumstance or driving style.

Manual Transmission

The main plus point to driving a manual car is that you have more control over the car itself. Want to shift from second gear straight to fourth? Go for it! Need a bit of extra oomph for that hill start? Fill your boots.

You’ll likely find that manual cars are less expensive than automatics, on average.

Plus for some drivers, it just feels ‘right’ to change gears yourself. Some habits are hard to break, and there’s a certain level of satisfaction  when shifting gears.

Manual cars have a consumes less fuel compare to automatic cars. Automatic vehicles have a torque converter and hydraulic pump, which robs the car of a percentage of its fuel efficiency. Those who drive manual vehicles can increase fuel economy by up to 15 percent.

Automatic Transmission

When driving an automatic car, the first thing you’ll notice is that, it’s a lot easier to drive. Without the need to press the clutch or find the right gear, stalling becomes a thing of the past.

Driving in slow-moving or stop-start traffic is made easier with an automatic. There’s also a much smoother transition between gears, making it more pleasant, judder-free ride.

Because there’s less chance of accidentally grinding the gears, the transmission itself is less likely to fail. When it does, however, it’s likely to be a more expensive repair job.

Which Is Better?

In general, an automatic car might be better suited for those who are used to urban driving where there’s usually more traffic. If nothing else, not having to press the clutch on and off continuously will lessen driver fatigue.

If you travel longer distances or you are used to driving on faster roads, a manual car could be a better option. Having better control over the gear selection means you can drive more efficiently.

Some Disadvantages of Automatic Cars

More expensive to buy: The main disadvantage of automatics is that, they generally cost more to buy than their manual counterparts, both new and used, so they’re not ideal if you’re on a budget.

Boring to drive: Some drivers find that automatics take the fun out of driving. They like the feel of changing gear and having more of a physical connection with their car. And for anyone used to changing gears, it can actually be difficult to adjust to not having a clutch

Some Disadvantages of Manual Cars

Not as safe: With a manual, you need to take one hand off the steering wheel to change gears. Automatic cars are safer as you can keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate more on the road ahead.

Leg ache: Constantly working the clutch can become uncomfortable as your left foot never gets a rest, especially if you’re driving in a traffic. This can lead to aches and pains in your leg muscles.

I hope this article was insightful, please if you have any question leave a comment below and I will be glad to respond. 

Thanks for reading…

Written by Ida Faal

References:

https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/blog/manual-vs-automatic-car-transmission-pros-cons.html

Manual Vs Automatic Transmission: Advantages and Disadvantages