Car TalkMaintenance TipsManual Vs Automatic Transmission Myths Debunked

Manual Vs Automatic Transmission Myths Debunked

It looks like the manual vs automatic transmission debate is never going to end. Though there are many advantages of a manual transmission, it would be wrong to give it the ultimate edge over its counterpart. So, what’s the real deal about all these manual vs automatic transmission myths?

Myth Battle Between Automatic Transmission and Manual Transmission

In the rising age of the automatic transmission vehicle, many drivers still prefer a manual gearbox for its unique characteristics. However, sometimes they cannot help but exaggerate the benefits of manual drive. In order to understand the facts of manual vs automatic, let us discuss it further.

Myth 1: Stick Shifts Are Fuel Efficient

Manual vs Automatic Transmission Myths Debunked
Manual and Automatic – Which is the best?

When it comes to the automatic vs manual gearbox question, we tend to give the green card to manual transmission for good. Though initially manual transmission has had more efficiency, with the technological advancement, nowadays automatic transmissions are no less fuel efficient. And if still there is a difference in terms of automatic vs manual gearbox fuel efficiency, it’s minimal.

Myth 2: Stick Shifts Are Less Expensive

This is also partially accurate. Though in some cases the manual versions are cheaper, the trend is declining. Nowadays the practice is to price the both version the same.

Moreover, not every car comes with a manual version.

Myth 3: Stick Shifts Take Less To Repair

Although replacing a manual transmission costs less than replacing an automatic, you rarely have to change modern automatic transmissions. In case of manual transmission, you may have to change it once or twice, which costs higher in the long run.

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Myth 4: Stick Shifts Are Mandatory For Sports Cars

Sport cars
Sport cars are now availble in both options for enthusiast.

Though manual transmissions are widely used in sports cars, the option for automatic is also often available. And today manufacturers are constructing sports cars with clutchless paddle shifters. So sports cars with automatic transmission are a reality now.

Myth 5: For Heavy-Duty Works, Stick Shifts Are The Best

People believe that for heavy-duty jobs, there is no alternative to manual transmission. But in reality, the clutch in manual transmission may wear out. On the other hand, automatic transmission doesn’t have any clutch at all, making it more reliable. As well as that, many heavy-duty vehicles with automatic transmission have towing package to get the job done.

Manual and automatic transmissions are completely different technologies, which use different configurations and principles

These debunked myths in a way show us the manual vs automatic transmission pros and cons. Even though today automatic transmission is becoming the first choice, a manual transmission has some fixed advantages. For example, when a car is stuck somewhere, it can be rescued if there is another vehicle nearby with manual transmission.

Tsukasa Azuma
Tsukasa Azuma
Tsukasa Azuma is an awesome car blogger of Car From Japan. He owns a car repair shop at downtown Osaka, and he put all that experience to good use in his sharing posts. Tsukasa’s blog is one of the best resources for information about keeping your favorite imported car running smoothly. Moreover, because of being passionate to learn about the recent happenings in auto industry, he doesn’t only provide great car maintenance tips, he also always updates latest trends in among car brands and share them in his own interesting viewpoint.
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50 COMMENTS

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  1. I drive a Golf III manual and it is no comparison to an automatic. Automatic vehicles have a problem of the valve body once it sucks in dust, then you have to replace the entire gearbox which is not the case with a manual gearbox

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  2. Manual transmission is the better option.
    Manual transmission brings beauty of driving.
    Manual transmission makes driving active and not passive.

  3. Another advantage of automatic transmission is that shifting from one gear to another is done during the exact required engine speed.

  4. What about the torque on off road conditions? My opinion, Non automatic transmission gives you more torque power over automatic transmissions. If there is any expert information available on that matter then please share!

  5. Thanks for the info, although you have shared it selectively. e.g. on the heavy workload, an Automatic transmission is always weak noting that not all of them have the towing options. Secondly, on very steep hills e.g. in Africa hill start for an automatic is nightmare. I have used both options widely for more than 15 years.

  6. I always rather manual above automatic transmission, my 1989 toyota is manual and i love shifting gears and to make it worst i have seen many people driving manual and have brake prob and thanks to the gears, they got little to no damage unlike what i have seen with the auto

  7. I like manual transmission especially driving long distance keeps your legs moving and blood flowing and can’t develop crumps. You too may not feel sleepy because the body is active . You engage any gear at your choice.

  8. This article simply parrots the government and industry narrative based on rigged “tests” (actually there have been no tests by the EPA, just estimates based on incorrect assumptions, and the industry tests dictate the use of manual shifting technique that is very inefficient). Nothing short of the physical laws of the universe dictate that MT are more efficient than AT – period. The other benefits of MT are far greater control, far greater durability, cheaper repairs, ability to start engine without battery, extended break life, far greater towing capability, greater acceleration and on and on…..

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