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Deciding what kind of car to buy or hire can be a complex decision given the vast number of car manufacturers and models available. However, that’s not the only choice you have to make. You also have to select between a manual and automatic transmission system. The manual vs automatic car debate has raged for years, and if you’re a new driver, it can be difficult to decide which is best for you.
Both automatic and manual cars are readily available in the UK, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference when buying or hiring one. This article will outline the major differences between both transmission types as well as their pros and drawbacks, making it easier for you to choose between manual and automatic cars.
A manual car is a type of car in which the driver has to operate the gear stick and clutch to change gears. Manual vehicles have manual gearboxes that allow you to choose between different gear ratios when driving the car. Lower gear ratios offer more torque and less speed, while high gear ratios offer more speed at the expense of torque.
In its most basic form, a manual automobile consists of three shafts with constantly-intermeshed gears. These vehicles are fun to drive and great for drivers who prefer to be involved in the inner workings of their vehicles.
The manual transmission system doesn’t work in electric and hybrid cars because the car needs to control the speed range.
What Is An Automatic Car?
An automatic car is a car that has an automatic gear system and thus does not require you to manually shift gears. Automatic cars rely on the torque converter to shift gears automatically to suit the vehicle’s speed.
An automatic doesn’t have a clutch because you don’t need to change gears. It only has a brake pedal and an accelerator. Automatics have four modes: Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N) and Drive (D), and you can select one of these modes depending on whether you’re going forward, backwards or stopping the car.
Not every automatic has a torque converter because some automatic types are more similar to manuals. See here to learn how all these variations work.
Manual Vs Automatic
Here we’ll make an in-depth comparison of both transmission types so you know whether to choose a manual or automatic car.
The Pros And Cons Of Manual Cars
We’ll start with the pros and cons of manual vehicles.
Pros
Here are four major advantages of using a manual car:
- More Control: A manual gearbox gives you better control over the vehicle because you are responsible for selecting which gear to use when driving.
- Faster Acceleration: The manual gearbox is better at transferring power from the engine to the vehicle’s wheels, which allows the car to accelerate faster.
- Low Maintenance Cost: Manual cars often require less maintenance because they have a simpler design than automatic vehicles. Their repairs are also less expensive.
- Fuel Economy: Manual cars tend to be more fuel-efficient than automatic cars, allowing you to save money in the long run.
Learn how to start a manual car.
Cons
These are the cons of choosing a manual car:
- Driving Difficulty: Manual cars are more difficult to drive. They require full concentration, and you have to take one hand off the steering wheel intermittently to change gears.
- Discomfort: Constantly working the clutch pedal can be uncomfortable because your foot never gets to rest. It is even more difficult when you’re driving in stop-start traffic.
Tip: You can use a manual driving licence for an automatic or manual car, but an automatic licence allows you to drive only automatic vehicles.
The Pros And Cons Of Automatic Cars
Here, we’ll go over the features of automatic transmissions.
Pros
Some of the major benefits of using cars with automatic gearboxes include:
- Easier to Drive: Automatic cars are easier to drive because you don’t have to operate a clutch pedal. The vehicle changes gears using a torque converter or other mechanism by itself. Simply put your vehicle in drive and forget about manoeuvring the gear stick unless you need to park or reverse.
- Smoother Ride: An automatic vehicle offers a pleasant ride due to the seamless transition between gears.
- Better for Heavy-Traffic Roads: Automatics require less effort to drive on congested roads, allowing you to focus on the road. If you’re driving a manual automobile on a congested road, you have to constantly pump the clutch pedal to change gears, and this can cause discomfort in your foot.
Click here to find out even more about automatic vehicles.
Cons
There are three major drawbacks to using an automatic car, which are:
- High Purchase Cost: One of the main disadvantages of using automatic cars is that they’re more expensive to purchase. They also require more costly maintenance than vehicles with manual gearboxes.
- Less Fun to Drive: Driving an automatic car is not as fun as driving a manual car because it takes away the control of switching gears at your will, and you can’t manipulate the shifting to accelerate or slow down faster.
- Fuel Economy: Automatics tend to have worse fuel economy than manual vehicles. However, modern automatic vehicles are being also optimised to be very fuel-efficient.
Which Car Type Is Better For Car Insurance?
A manual car is better for car insurance. Automatic transmission cars tend to have higher insurance premiums because automatic gearboxes cost more to replace than manuals and are often found in higher-specification vehicles. However, there is only a small difference in the insurance premium for manual and automatic vehicles of the same model.
There is also a semi-automatic gearbox, which is a combination of an automatic and manual gearbox.
Who Should Choose Which Transmission Type?
The transmission type you should choose depends on your preferences. An automatic vehicle is great for anyone who wants a simple and convenient driving experience. It is easier to drive because the automatic gearbox does most of the work. Additionally, an automatic vehicle is excellent for anyone who spends a lot of time on congested roads because you get to avoid the discomfort that comes with changing gears frequently.
On the other hand, manual cars are great for people who enjoy being involved in the entire driving process. A manual vehicle gives you more control and allows you to accelerate faster. Also, choose a manual if a budget is your big concern.
Learn what a semi-automatic car is and how it works on the link.
Hiring Vs Buying
Manual vehicles are generally less expensive to buy or hire than automatic transmission car hire or purchase. However, in countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, you will have a difficult time finding a manual-transmission vehicle.
Manual vehicles account for about 70% of the cars on the UK’s roads. However, in 2021, over 54% of the cars sold in Britain were automatic. This shows a gradual shift from manual to automatic vehicles in the country, triggered by higher demand for electric cars, which have automatic transmissions.
Semi-automatic car vs automatic – what’s the difference between these transmission types?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Better To Drive A Manual Or Automatic Car?
It is better to drive an automatic car because an automatic transmission is easier to use and more comfortable for the driver. Automatic cars change gears on their own, allowing you to pay more attention to the steering wheel. However, manual transmissions are more fun to drive because they give you better control over the vehicle. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Do Manual Cars Last Longer Than Automatic?
Yes, manual cars last longer than automatic cars because they have fewer moving parts, so the components are at a lower risk of wearing out. Repairs for manual vehicles are also less expensive. However, manufacturers are designing most modern automatic cars also to be very dependable, so the difference in durability between modern automatic and manual vehicles is quite small.
Why Are Manual Cars Cheaper?
Manual cars are cheaper than automatic vehicles because it costs less to produce a manual gearbox. The automatic gearbox is more complex and involves more moving components, which add to the vehicle’s cost. The price difference is also influenced by the fact that there is a higher demand for automatic cars, especially in the United States.
Do Manual Cars Lose Value Faster?
Manual cars lose value faster because there is less demand for them. However, this mostly applies to the American vehicle market. Manual vehicles retain their value better in most European countries because there is more demand for them. A manual vehicle may even have a higher resale value than its automatic equivalent, but this only happens with very expensive classic cars.
Why Does Europe Prefer Manual Cars?
Europe prefers manual cars because of lower costs and the culture of buying manuals. Manual vehicles are generally less expensive to purchase and maintain than their automatic counterparts. They also tend to be more fuel-efficient, which is an important consideration when selecting vehicles in Europe due to high petrol prices.
The culture also plays a role in the high use of manual vehicles in Europe. People in many European countries are so used to buying manuals that they don’t even consider automatic vehicles when purchasing.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, there is no clear winner in the manual vs automatic car debate. Both transmission types have their pros and cons, and it comes down to the personal preference of the driver when selecting one. Manual vehicles offer better control and are generally less costly to maintain, while automatic transmission cars are easier to drive and offer smoother rides.
