Cars come in many different varieties. From transmission options like front wheel drive and all wheel drive to engine type choices like conventional gas and electric, the possibilities are endless when buying a new vehicle. Another key decision you need to make when buying a car is the type of transmission to get.
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| Transmission Guide: Automatic vs Manual Which One Is Better? |
Modern vehicles are available in two different types of transmissions: automatic or manual. In a manual transmission, the driver is responsible for shifting gears, while in an automatic transmission vehicle, the car does the shifting for you. So the question is, to shift or not to shift?
Transmission Basics
One of the most complicated components of your vehicle, the transmission is a metal case that houses a series of gears - which explains its nickname of gearbox. The transmission takes power from the engine and sends it to the wheels to help propel your vehicle. It's responsible for making sure the right amount of power is transmitted to the wheels so it can operate at a given speed.
Each gear operates in a specific ratio to ensure that the wheels and engine are not running at the same speed. When you take off from a complete stop, your vehicle uses a lower gear ratio to move the car forward using more power and less speed. At higher speeds, your transmission uses a higher gear ratio to move the vehicle while keeping the RPMs low.
Manual Transmission
Vehicles equipped with a manual or standard transmission are commonly referred to as a stick shift. The driver uses a shift lever to manually change gears when accelerating and decelerating the vehicle. Located on the center console, the shifter is connected to the transmission by a linkage.
In addition to a shift lever, a manual transmission requires the use of a clutch pedal located to the left of the brake pedal. Engaging the clutch pedal disengages the clutch mechanism located between the engine and the transmission. Pressing the clutch pedal stops the transmission of power from the engine to the transmission so you can shift gears.
To change gears, the driver depresses the clutch pedal, moves the shift lever to the desired gear, then releases the clutch pedal to re-engage power from the engine to the transmission. Learning to drive a stick takes some practice. Engage the clutch pedal too quickly and the engine stalls; engage the clutch pedal too slowly and it can cause premature wear. Practice makes perfect.
Fast facts:
- Requires extensive driver input - driver selects and shifts to desired gear.
- Less than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have a manual transmission.
- Popular in Europe and Asia - over 80% of vehicles sold are manual.
Advantages:
- Lower purchase price.
- Many drivers like the feeling of being in control.
- Fuel economy.
- Superior acceleration - favored by race and performance car drivers.
- Less expensive to maintain.
Read also: 4 Different Types of Differentials (and How They Work)Disadvantages:
- Requires practice to learn how to use.
- Driver must coordinate clutch, throttle, and gear shift.
- Lower resale value.
- Can be difficult to drive in traffic.
- Not as widely available.
Automatic Transmission
While the driver plays an active role in the operation of a manual transmission vehicle, in an automatic transmission, the driver simply selects D on the shift lever and the car does all the work. With fluid pressure, the vehicle automatically shifts on its own. The heart of the automatic transmission is the planetary gear set. This part is responsible for creating the different gear ratios used by the transmission.
Providing the pressure to activate the bands and clutches that determine which gear the vehicle should be in is the automatic transmission fluid. This fluid not only cools and lubricates the moving parts of the transmission, but it helps drive the vehicle.
Attached to the transmission is a torque converter that acts like a clutch on a manual transmission. Fluid is used to lock and unlock the planetary gears to shift from one gear ratio to another. This change occurs automatically; the driver does not have to do anything.
Fast facts:
- Requires little driver intervention - put the car in gear and go!
- Popular in the United States - 95% of cars sold have automatic transmissions.
- Relies on automatic transmission fluid and planetary gearing.
Advantages:
- Easy to use - less stress.
- Higher resale value.
- Widely available.
- Ideal in stop and go traffic.
- Good for beginners.
Disadvantages:
- Higher purchase price than manual.
- Higher repair costs.
- Historically less fuel efficient than manual - but the gap is closing.
Which transmission to choose?
The type of transmission to install in your next vehicle really depends on your preferences; select the type that fits your needs. If you do a lot of city driving, an automatic transmission may be easier to maneuver in traffic than a standard transmission. However, if performance and driving experience are important to you, you may want to consider a manual. Another factor to keep in mind is whether there will be other people driving the vehicle. If they aren't willing to drive a stick shift, you'll want to stick with an automatic transmission.
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Manual vs automatic: Which is better?
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