The transmission in your vehicle connects your vehicle’s engine to its wheels — the part that “transmits” the power. Similar to a bicycle, it has several gears appropriate to various speeds, inclines, and driving situations. For a lot of drivers in the US, that’s all they need to know. Automatic transmissions switch gears in your vehicle automatically based upon driving situations, which means you never have to worry about which gear to use. When you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, you decide which gear to put the vehicle in and when you need to shift.
Manual Transmission versus Automatic Transmission Pros and Cons
Automatic transmission engineering has advanced over the years, making many of the old arguments against it outdated. If you’re thinking about a manual transmission — or you love a good stick shift and wondering if you should change to automatic — it boils down to more what type of driver you are and what kind of experience you want.
Pros of Manual Transmissions
More involved
The main reason to drive a manual is that you like the feeling of being involved with your vehicle. You have to do more, and drivers that enjoy being behind the wheel usually feel that these transmissions are more enjoyable than automatic ones.
More control
Deciding which gear to use provides you with more control over the ride. An experienced stick shift driver can provide a streamlined ride, restrict the vehicles speed in unfavorable conditions, and more.
Vehicle security
With less manual transmission vehicles on the roads and automatics becoming increasingly common, stick shift vehicles could be less appealing as targets for vehicle theft.
Versatility abroad
In spite of accounting for a minute percentage of sales in the US, manual transmissions are very favorable abroad, particularly in Asia and Europe. Being experienced with a manual is helpful if you want to drive a vehicle abroad.
Cons of Manual Transmissions
More work
A stick shift necessitates more focus and physical work to drive, particularly in heavy traffic or hilly locations. If you take extended trips or do a lot of driving in the city, you might see driving a manual as a hassle.
Trouble locating a vehicle
Presently, very few newer vehicles in the US offer a manual option. Meaning you’ll have to choose from limited choices or look at older models.
Lending or sharing a vehicle challenges
Not everyone knows how to use a manual. Manual transmissions can be a terrible fit in which you anticipate several drivers, such as families with driving-aged children, to drive the vehicle.
Pros of Automatic Transmissions
More practical
For a lot of people, learning to drive an automatic vehicle is more approachable. Simply push the accelerator and go without being concerned about shifting or determining which gear to use.
Lots of options
Nearly every vehicle in production in the US is offered with an automatic transmission, which means you have many options of vehicles.
Less tiring
Since an automatic transmission needs less input from the driver, they are usually less tiring to drive, particularly in situations such as city driving that requires a lot of shifting.
Automatic Transmission Cons
Less enjoyable
For those wanting high-performance driving or that love the feeling of control behind the wheel, trading control for convenience may not be worth it.
More complicated to repair
Automatic transmissions are more mechanically intricate than manuals and might require more costly maintenance over time.
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