Understanding the differences between automatic and manual cars is a good idea before you go to the dealership to buy a new or used vehicle. Researching both types of vehicles will help you choose the one that is right for you.
What Is the Difference Between Automatic and Manual Cars?
When shopping for a car, you have many choices to make, including body style, color, engine type, and transmission. You should spend some time researching your options before making any major decision, especially when it comes to choosing a transmission type.
Would you be better off with a manual transmission or an automatic transmission? Depending on your driving habits and preferences, you will be able to make an informed decision.
Shifting in an Automatic and Manual Car
A manual transmission differs primarily from an automatic transmission in how it shifts gears. An automatic transmission automatically changes gears when you shift and decides when you should shift.
By using the clutch and gas pedals, you shift gears in a manual transmission car.
About Shifting
Shifting is an important part of driving, whether it is done by the driver or the car itself. When you rev your engine or increase speed, your engine’s RPMs also increase. You may have noticed that there is a gauge on your dashboard called the “tachometer.”
In order to protect your engine, you must change gears before the tachometer needle reaches the red line area. This gauge shows the engine’s RPMs and has a scary red area, called the “red line.” Automatic transmissions do this automatically.
Advantages of Automatic Transmissions
Automatic transmissions represent the simplest driving experience for most everyday drivers, especially those who are just learning to drive. Driving an automatic has several advantages.
Ease of Driving with Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmissions make driving easier since they do the shifting for you.
- Rather than worrying about shifting gears, an automatic transmission lets you focus on driving. Driving an automatic is less distracting for some drivers.
- Depending on where you live, an automatic might be your best option. The automatic is clearly the better option if you frequently find yourself stuck in rush hour traffic. It is exhausting to drive a manual transmission in stop-and-go traffic.
- In areas with steep hills, inclines, and winding roads, automatic vehicles are also easier to drive.
- An automatic car is much easier to learn how to drive than a stick shift, which has more “moving parts” to coordinate and can take more time.
- Many manual cars do not offer cruise control, a feature that is desirable for drivers who spend long hours in the car.
Speed Differences With Automatic Transmission
In newer automatic transmissions, the car shifts itself faster than a manual transmission. Whenever you need to accelerate quickly, such as when merging onto a freeway, this can be helpful.
Less Likely to Stall in Traffic
An automatic transmission also reduces the likelihood that your car will stall in traffic, such as when you’re waiting at a stop sign or light. Automatic cars can develop problems when they require maintenance, but they are less likely to do so than manual cars.
Availability of Automatic Transmission Cars
Especially in the U.S. car market, manual transmissions are becoming harder to find. There were only automatic transmissions available on 80% of car models in 2019.
Disadvantages of an Automatic Transmission
Although automatic cars have many benefits, they also have some disadvantages:
- Compared to manual machines, they are generally more expensive to buy and maintain.
- It can be difficult learning how to drive automatic only if you rent a car in a country where manual transmissions are the norm.
- As a result, they can encourage less attention to driving than a stick, which can lead to accidents.
- Depending on the vehicle, they may have a higher fuel economy cost.
Advantages of Manual Transmissions
In the same way that some people love their automatic transmissions, there are also those who are adamantly opposed to them. The advantages of owning a stick shift vehicle outweigh the disadvantages, even though they can be more challenging to drive.
Budgetary Benefits of a Manual Transmission
Owning a manual transmission car is generally cheaper than owning an automatic due to a number of factors.
- The gas mileage of manual transmission cars can be better, although this has become less common with new developments in automatic transmission technology. As a result of the driver controlling the engine RPMs, the car uses less gas and does less revving. Gas mileage differs between three and five miles per gallon and drivers can save between five and 15% on fuel on average. This varies by vehicle, and you can find newer models that get better gas mileage with an automatic transmission.
- Repairing a manual transmission car is often less expensive. Service costs for automatics are higher since they represent more complicated technology. Your car’s clutch may need to be replaced at some point depending on how you drive.
- Manual transmissions are generally cheaper when you buy a new car. The cost of purchasing a stick shift car can be reduced by several hundred dollars.
Better Handling and Vehicle Control With a Manual Transmission
There are many ways to control your car when you drive a manual transmission. You can downshift and let the engine help you slow down without using your brakes as much. If you practice this, you can save your brakes and tires from wear and tear.
Manual Transmission and Speed
Having more control over the vehicle allows a skilled driver to go faster, which is why race car drivers prefer manual transmissions. Additionally, manual cars are often lighter than automatics, which can contribute to their increased speed.
Safer From Theft
It has been argued that a manual car will not be as attractive to car thieves as an automatic car, since automatic cars are most commonly used in the U.S. If you own a specialty car with high market value, this won’t be true, but your average manual car may not be worth much if stolen.
Disadvantages of Manual Transmissions
When compared to an automatic car, a manual car has a few drawbacks.
- In the U.S. car market, which is primarily dominated by automatic vehicles, manual cars are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
- In addition to being more difficult to learn how to drive, they also require more concentration and hand-to-foot coordination. For new drivers or drivers who become physically tired quickly, such as older adults or people who drive long hours for their jobs, they may not be the best choice.
- Those cars will have less resale value since fewer people will be able to drive a manual car and won’t want to learn.
Is an Automatic or Manual Car Safer?
There is no real data showing that one car is safer than another. Drivers are more likely to be able to gauge their own safety.
- The ease of driving an automatic may make it safer for you if you’re stressed about driving, for example if you’re a new driver or in heavy traffic.
- Alternatively, manual transmission drivers may argue that their car is safer because they have more control over the vehicle, but this takes practice and experience. An automatic driver may have a harder time handling difficult weather or roads than a manual driver.
- When you drive an automatic car, you don’t have to focus as much on the road as you would in a manual car. Distracted behavior and accidents can result from this. Additionally, automatic drivers can use one hand to perform other tasks in the car, such as eating or looking at their cell phones.
Keep Your Options Open
The main differences between automatic and manual cars are important to understand, but ultimately your choice will depend on your own preferences. It only takes a little practice to learn how to drive a manual car, and both types of vehicles will get you where you need to go.
You may want to learn how to drive a manual car if you buy an automatic. It is important to know how to drive a stick shift in case of an emergency.