Automatic vs Manual: The transmission battle!

It’s a battle that probably dates back to when Fred Flintstone ran himself into the ground in a cross-plank no wheel drive, but it’s an important one nonetheless.

In a time where petrol and diesel engines are being phased out to make way for hybrid and electrics, it’s important to highlight the pros and cons while gear boxes still feature in the hot rods of the hey day.

What’s the difference?

Petrolheads, you may skip this section, or make yourself a cup of tea while we briefly explain the difference between manual and automatic transmission.

The former involves shifting gears, well, manually through a deft combination of clutch and gear stick. The latter, meanwhile, requires no such effort, as the car will automatically change gears in response to the speed you’re driving at. This means you can hold your ten to two for an eternity, but more on that later.

In the blue corner: Manual

There are three core components in the manual transmission system. You’ve got the clutch, which sits between the gear box and the engine.

Now, the gearbox, usually bolted to the rear of your engine, offers a selection of between four to seven forward gears, and one reverse, that correspond to your engine’s speed. The higher the gear, the faster the road wheels turn in relation to the engine’s speed.

What’re the pros and cons of driving stick?

Pros

Obviously, the main allure in manual transmissions is the control you have in shifting gears. It’s kinda like salsa, you’re leading, your car’s following, both of you are working synergistically towards an exuberant and immensely satisfying experience.

Manuals are also generally faster than their automatic counterparts (screw you dual clutch tech), and that’s because a manual gearbox is better at transferring power from your engine to your wheels, which allows you to accelerate at a greater pace. I mean, we’ve all seen pre-Rock Fast and Furious, where two factors determined a winning outcome: when to hit the Nitrous, and immaculately timed gear shifts.

Now due to the fact that manuals have a far less complex design than automatics, they’re relatively cheaper to maintain. That is unless you burn out your clutch with some truly reckless driving.

Cons

While being able to drive stick is something on Tom Selleck’s manly checklist, it’s certainly not the safest way to get from point A to B. Think about it, to change gears, you’re going to have to take one hand off the wheel. That’s probably why manuals are best left to the pros.

They’re also not great for urban driving. The constant shift up, shift down in traffic means you’d probably step out of your car with immense leg pain, blinking sweat out of your eyes. This isn’t particularly great for people with certain kinds of disabilities that may restrict their mobility.

Is manual for you? Answer this: can you keep steady on a steep hill without touching the handbrake? If ‘no’, then manual may not be for you.

In the red corner: Automatic

Now in 1939, Cadillac and Oldsmobile introduced GM’s Hydramatic, which was the first indication of automatic transmission in cars. Heil Hydramatic? #dadjokes.

Automatics ditched the clutch pedal, introduced a torque converter and a (overly)simplified gearbox, where you put it into ‘D’ (for dreadful) and let your ride do the rest for you. Yawn.

Pros

Since we’re taking an unbiased look at this, it’s only fair to say that driving an automatic is certainly easier and safer. Now easier doesn’t necessarily translate to ‘right’, but the safer aspect is definitely worth pointing at. Without the clutch, your non-accelerating, non-braking leg can take 5 and relax. This certainly helps those people with mobility-restricting disabilities.

With automatics, you’re less likely to stutter. Afterall, the car’s taking care of things for you with a sophisticated planetary gearset, seamlessly availing the entire gear range to your car without your gear-prodding interference.

This is especially beneficial for when you’re caught up in one of those bumper to bumper jams, and just don’t feel like cranking the shift (even the gorgeous golf ball white shift knob on the Mustang Bullitt).

Cons

Let’s start off with the more universal ‘con’. Automatics are generally more expensive than manuals. You are, after all, paying your car to change gears for you, right?

But that’s not the main thing. Worst comes to worst, you tighten the belt for a few more months and get the automatic of your choice, but once acquired, you can say goodbye to enjoyable driving experiences.

It completely removes that sense of synergy, that raw physical relationship between you and your motoring friend. That’s like if you bought one of those muscle-man suits and put it on under your shirt instead of pumping iron at the gym, like what’s the point?

We mentioned this above, but it’s worth mentioning again. Fixing automatic transmissions can be costly if something goes wrong, so there’s that too.

The bottom line

In a few years, we’ll probably not be having this debate any longer. Governments around the world are moving towards fuel-free alternatives, and that means petrol and diesel trims are likely to disappear from motorways around the world.

Before that happens, do yourself a favour and get yourself a manual. Learn how to drive stick, and then drive, drive, and drive some more. Drive until you’re all geared out, and when that sad day comes when we can no longer choose between manual and automatic transmission, when gearboxes are chucked out all together, at least you can tell your grand kids that you once knew how to handle a stick.

Got a problem with your transmission? Check out our page and find a trusted service provider near you today.