The transmission allows the vehicle to change
gears, thereby transferring power from the engine to the drive axle in the most
efficient way possible.
It does this by varying the gear ratio. In lower gears, this increases available power while reducing speed. Higher gears, on the other hand, reduce power and increase speed. This enables cars to distribute power and speed in the most efficient way for any given situation.
Transmission is absolutely vital to the inner
workings of any car, there is no general consensus regarding what kind of
transmission is better—automatic or manual.
It’s not an easy question to answer. After all,
both transmissions have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and
where one may be perfect in one situation, it may end up being absolute rubbish
in another situation.
Let’s familiarize ourselves with the benefits
associated with the two different kinds of transmission.
Automatic Transmission.
Automatic transmissions have been eclipsing their
older manual cousins for the past few years. Yet, despite their apparent
popularity, automatic transmissions are not necessarily a better choice for
many drivers. However, they do offer advantages over manual transmissions in
several key areas. i.e.
o Easier to use. Although there’s nothing inherently
difficult about shifting gears and working a clutch, it still takes a bit of
practice before most drivers are comfortable learning to use each of their
limbs independently in order to control a manual transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmissions, by comparison, are much simpler and take drivers
significantly less time to learn.
o Less manually restrictive. Most new drivers are taught that the
safest way to drive is to keep both hands firmly on the wheel at all times.
This is possible when driving an automatic transmission vehicle, but is not
possible with a manual transmission.
o Better for hilly areas. If you’re a less experienced driver, you may find that navigating steep
inclines in a manual transmission is difficult, especially if you’re attempting
to do so from a dead stop. Automatic transmissions take care of this issue,
enabling your car to operate efficiently no matter how steep the hill might be.
o Greatly reduced risk of stalling. There are few things more
embarrassing and awkward than accidentally stalling your vehicle right when the
traffic light changes. This isn’t a common problem for those driving automatic
transmission, where stalling will only occur if there’s a mechanical problem in
the vehicle.
o Easier to use in heavy traffic. Overall, more work goes into
starting, accelerating, decelerating, and stopping manual transmissions. This
isn’t normally a problem, but in heavy traffic where a car isn’t able to get up
to speed, drivers may notice that the constant starting and stopping becomes a
difficult chore. Automatic transmissions allow the driver to move through heavy
traffic without having to do more than push a single pedal.
Manual
Transmission.
For those drivers who prefer to be more involved in
the inner workings of their vehicle, the manual transmission delegates the
shifting of engine gears back to the pilot. Manual transmissions predate the
newer automatic models, yet they are still favoured by many drivers due to the
fact that they are.
o Less expensive to purchase. If you’re car shopping on a budget,
then there’s really no contest between the manual and the automatic. On
average, a manual transmission will cost you about a thousand dollars less than
an automatic of the same model.
o Cheaper to maintain. With all of the added machinery that
goes into the automatic transmission, it can end up costing you big money just
to keep it running properly. Manual transmission cars require very little maintenance,
and generally maintenance and repairs end up being significantly less costly.
Be warned, however, because one thing that a manual has that the automatic
doesn’t have to worry about is the clutch, and if that thing quits on you, then
you could be in trouble.
o Better fuel efficiency. Overall, manual transmission engines
are less complex, weigh less, and have more gears than automatics. The end
result is that you’ll end up getting more kilometres out of the petrol you pump
in than you would with an automatic. Manual transmissions have been known to
save drivers between 5% and 15% on their fuel costs.
o Less likely to be stolen. With the increasing
number of automatic transmissions finding their way onto roads, there’s an
entire generation that has never learned the finer points of manual
transmission operation. This means that should a car-thief decide to give your
car a closer inspection in preparation for stealing it, there’s a fairly good
chance that simply having a manual transmission will be enough to deter the
criminal.
o Better control. Automatic transmissions are designed
to choose the best gear for any situation, but they tend to err on the side of
caution, shifting to too high of a gear and wasting engine power. At the same
time, they are built to respond to conditions as they are encountered, which
doesn’t allow for drivers to either anticipate an oncoming condition, or to
purposely select a lower gear for an added boost of power. Manual transmissions
give drivers greater control over the vehicle.
Basically, automatic transmissions
are easier to use and more comfortable for the driver, while manual
transmission vehicles are less expensive and more involved.
Of course, there are exceptions to
any rule and the only way to be sure which one is right for you is to go for a
test drive. After all, you may need to get from point A to point B, but it’s
completely up to you how you make the journey!
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