Transmissions: Differences between Automatic Vs Manual

Transmissions: A General Care Guide for Automatics and Manuals

Only 2% of cars sold in the United States have manual transmission. While automatic transmissions used to be a luxury 30 years ago, manuals have almost become extinct. New car models nowadays come exclusively with automatic transmission and very few models are still available with manual transmission.

Even so, almost one in five people know how to drive stick and there are still cars around with manual transmission. Some people like the sense of freedom that manual transmission gives them. Others feel that manual transmission cars are easier and cheaper to maintain.

Here at R&J Automotive, we can service both manual and automatic cars. We know everything there is to know about cars and will give you honest and expert advice at a fair price, no matter what the transmission of your car.

What Is the Transmission in a Vehicle? What does it do?

The car’s transmission is positioned between the engine and the wheels. It is responsible for shifting engine power and delivering it to the wheels.

The car transmission also regulates the amount of power that is delivered to the wheels to help the car operate smoothly. For instance, when your car is climbing up a slope, your transmission will give the wheels more power to manage the climb.

What Is A Manual Transmission?

Manual transmission, also called stick shift, involves a clutch to the left of your pedals. You press the clutch to engage and disengage the gear manually, hence the name of this type of transmission. When you press the clutch with your left foot, you change the gear with your right hand and get the car moving.

It takes a little practice to learn how to use the clutch and shift gears on a manual car: you can’t let the car drift back on a slope, so you need to be fast with your gears. But you can’t be too fast, or the engine will turn off. Learning to shift gears and ‘listen’ to the car is an art that comes with practice.

What Is An Automatic Transmission?

Just like its name suggests, an automatic transmission doesn’t require the driver to press the clutch to interact with the gear box. You put your car in Drive mode and the car changes gears automatically.

Either through a traditional automatic transmission or through the more modern dual-clutch one, your car changes gears automatically, thanks to a system of fluid pressure that is based on a planetary gear set.

Which Type of Transmission Should I Choose?

In the United States, the vast majority of cars—98%—are sold with an automatic transmission. Even so, manual transmission offers some advantages.

Why Should I Choose a Manual Transmission Car?

Manual transmission cars are slightly cheaper to buy because the transmission box is cheaper to make than an automatic one. Also, and because manual transmission engineering is simpler, it can be cheaper to service such a car as well. This often makes the overall car maintenance for manual cars more economical.

Additionally, drivers who like to have absolute control over their car’s performance often say they prefer manual transmission because the driver, rather than the car, decides when to change gears.

Why Should I Choose an Automatic Transmission Car?

Automatic transmission cars are easier to drive, particularly in heavy traffic when you have to stop and go frequently. Automatic cars deliver a smooth ride and are more pleasant to drive. Also, because drivers don’t have to take care of changing gears, they can be more focused on their driving.

In the past, it was often thought that manual cars were more fuel-efficient than automatic ones. This was because the manual transmission had more gears than the automatic one. However, as technology progresses, new automatic cars may have 6 or 8 gears, making them as fuel-efficient as manual ones.

Manual or Automatic? Here are some additional factors to consider

If you want a manual car, you may need to pre-order one as few carmakers include stick shifts amongst their models. It’s lot easier to find older cars with manual transmissions but that often comes with additional maintenance needs.

Beginners and people who prefer easy and comfortable car rides will certainly prefer an automatic car. Likewise, if you have a long and busy daily commute, an automatic car will take away the pressure of manually changing gears.

If you live in Colorado, the climbs, turns, slopes, and windy roads of our area can be difficult to navigate with a manual car. You will have to constantly remember to change gears. With an automatic, you only need to brake. On the other hand, using a manual transmission on the mountains has benefits only some automatic vehicles can provide. Going down a slope at a consistent speed and minimalizing brake usage is greatly aided by a manual transmission.

Manual cars may have a lower resale price because there is little demand for them. Your automatic car may get you more money if you choose to sell it after a few years’ use.

However, if you are a purist who likes to have complete control over their car and driving style, a manual car will give you plenty of satisfaction. 4wd enthusiasts and those who often who have to pull around a trailer may also find that a stick shift is just a little handier when it comes to needing more power in the right situations, or when coming down a steep slope. Using your transmission and motor to keep your car going slower by keeping it in a lower gear to fight gravity is a time tested tactic that can save your brakes a lot of hassle and life.

Your car servicing costs may be slightly lower and you may pay less if your transmission needs fixing, repairing, or changing in the case of you owning a stick. Automatic cars have more complex transmissions, which can make them more expensive to fix if not under a warranty.

Car Maintenance and Servicing

Bad maintenance can cause excess wear and tear on your vehicle and increase your fuel consumption. It can also damage other parts of your car and lead to more repairs and expenses.

It doesn’t matter if you have an automatic or manual car: you need to service them both. You will need to replace the transmission fluid and make sure there are no grinding noises in both automatics and manuals. There are a great deal of signs that you may be needing transmission services, such as slipping gears, shifts that feel really jerky or inconsistent, or noises when those gear changes are taking place.

Trust R&J Automotive in Montrose for your auto care. We deliver professional, honest, and expert car service on all cars, whether manuals or automatics. Contact R&J Automotive online, call us at 970-787-2202, or visit us at 1029 Colorado Ave, Montrose, CO 81401 and we’ll take care of your car in no time!

The post Transmissions: Differences between Automatic Vs Manual appeared first on R & J Automotive Montrose.

source https://randjautorepairmontrose.com/news/transmissions-differences-between-automatic-vs-manual/