Before I compare Manual and Automatic transmission, I should answer the two basic question for those who are not sure of what I am talking about.
What is Manual Transmission ?
Manual transmission cars are the cars that allow the driver to change the gears as per driving needs and there is a manual clutch pedal used while changing gears. The clutch uses solid clutch plate and pressure plate mechanism.
What is Automatic Transmission ?
Automatic transmission on the other hand works automatically depending on the vehicle speed and engine speed. In automatic transmission cars, there is no clutch pedal, and clutch-plate mechanism is replaced with a hydraulic torque convertor.
[image credit : flickr [automatic transmission] and flickr [manual transmission] ]
If you are confused about which car to buy, Manual transmission or Automatic Transmission, I will help you take the decision based on the merits and demerits of both of these so that you can take a better decision.
Below is a comparison of various important features like cost , efficiency , maintenance, comfort, convenience, sport thrill and driving skill needs for Manual Transmission vs Automatic Transmission:
Comparison Of Manual Transmission and Automatic Transmission
| Factors | Manual Transmission | Automatic Transmission |
| Initial Cost | Initial cost of manual transmission cars is low | Initial cost of similar automatic transmission car is higher |
| Fuel Efficiency | Fuel Efficiency of Manual transmission is higher because of low energy loss of a clutch plate based system | Fuel Efficiency of Automatic transmission car is lower compared to manual transmission because of energy losses in hydraulic torque convertor are higher |
| Preventive Maintenance Cost | Preventive maintenance cost for Manual transmission is slightly lower. | Preventive maintenance cost for automatic transmission car is slightly higher. |
| Breakdown Maintenance Cost | Breakdown maintenance cost of manual transmission car due to transmission related failures is lower compared to automatic transmission because of lesser complexity of manual transmission | Breakdown maintenance cost of automatic transmission car due to transmission related failures is higher compared to manual transmission because of more complexity of automatic transmission |
| Sporty Thrill | Manual transmission is usually more sporty compared to automatic transmission because the choice of changing the gears lies with the driver so he/she can choose whether to drive with more acceleration or more fuel efficiency based on the driving style | Automatic transmission decides the gear changing speeds and changes it automatically, so the driver does not have full liberty to choose what gears he/she wants to drive in, thus it is less sporty as compared to the manual transmission |
| Comfort and Convenience | Manual transmission is less comfortable as the driver has to operate clutch to change gears and it can be lot of inconvenience in a congested city traffic with stop and go type of situation. | Automatic transmission is very comfortable as the driver needs not worry about the clutch and there is no need to manually change the gears with changing speeds. This adds a lots of convenience in city traffic where we have lots of frequent stop and go conditions. |
| Driving Skill | It requires more skills to drive a manual transmission car as there has to be a coordination between speed and gears. Also driver needs to operate clutch whenever moving from a stopped position and while changing gears. It takes more time to be habitual of smoothly driving a manual transmission car | It requires lesser skills to drive an automatic transmission car compared to manual transmission car as the gears are changed automatically by the transmission system of the car so the driver needs to operate just the accelerator, brake and steering. The driver need not coordinate for the gears as per speed and does not need to operate the clutch pedal. Thus it takes less time to be habitual to drive an automatic transmission car smoothly compared to manual transmission car. |
Why should I buy Automatic Transmission?
If you are in search of driving comfort convenience and luxury, and you do not mind spending some extra money on cost of car and fuel, go for Automatic Transmission and you will be happy with the comfort and convenience of driving an automatic transmission car. Automatic transmission is highly recommended for stop-and-go congested city driving.
Why should I buy Manual Transmission?
If you are very specific about value for your money and you want best possible fuel efficiency from your car, you should buy Manual transmission. Alternatively, if you drive mostly on highways or out of city, where there is no much need to change gears frequently, you can buy Manual transmission car.
If you are a racing enthusiast and want the best possible thrill out of your car, I would recommend you to go for a manual transmission as it gives you freedom to choose your gear ratio at all the times giving you the extra punch when you need it.
Still Confused ?
Just ask your question using comment box below in case I have not covered your concern in this article. I will be happy to have a discussion and answer your queries through comments.
You can follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook Fan Page. You can post any queries and discuss about cars, bikes and automobile technologies at CarBlogIndia Automobile Forum.
Free Updates From Car Blog India
|
|
[...] 7-speed Automatic Transmission [...]
I have made up my mind to purchase an auto-transmission car for my wife. What are the options today in less than Rs. 5.0 lacs? Very few car makers seem to be offering automatic transmission in India. Please advice.
@Kartik
There are many options available in the budget of Rs. 5 Lakhs. Most car makers have automatic transmission models of small cars like Maruti Wagon R / Hundai Santro / Hyundai i10 have automatic transmission variants available in India. Although these are not advertised much because the price is Rs. 40000 to Rs. 60000 higher than the manual transmission models. Check the car company websites for details on the variants and models
@admin
can u please explain the mechanism of automatic transmission and the latest technologies coming like CVT’s, etc…..
thanx.
@Dinesh
There are several types of automatic transmission systems, I will not go into details here as I want to keep away from too technical stuff in my articles. here is a reference for you to study further in details – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission
[...] Endeavour has most of the specifications same apart from two major specs – one being the new Automatic Transmission gearbox [Read More About What Is Automatic Transmission] and the other is the new [...]
[...] is considering to launch 8-speed automatic transmission in its most of models, currently they were thinking for Audi A8 which they launch in 2011. If this [...]
[...] India / General Motors has launched its luxury sedan Chevrolet Cruze Automatic Transmission version today In India. Chevrolet Cruze Automatic features a 6-speed tiptonic automatic [...]
[...] Speed Automatic transmission with electronic shift [...]
Dear Rohit,
Which car is preferable ?. Honda City 1.5 manual or auto transmission?.
@Murthy
its your wish, if you don’t worry much about mileage, go for an automatic, its much more convenient to drive.
[...] Twin Clutch 7 Speed Automatic Transmission [...]
[...] 7-speed Automatic Transmission [...]
idk if i should buy the honda civic si or the automatic cuz i live on a small town and sometimes there is traffic but idk if i would like to drive with the clutch. i never drove manual before but i wanna learn.
[...] Rs.18.5 lakh for 2.4 litre Honda Accord with Manual transmission [...]
I am a bit confused between buying the honda city manual or automatic. Does it really make sense to buy automatic for a car like Honda city where the clutch and gearbox are so smooth. I have been driving a palio s10 for 6.5 yrs and now it feels very heavy and tiring for city driving.
@Amit
Its your personal choice, I will go for an automatic if i have the budget.
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] (148 lb-ft) of torque, enabling a cruising range of 800KM. The drivetrain is coupled with a 6-Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] drivetrain comes coupled with either a 6-Speed Manual or 6-Speed Automatic Transmission gearbox and a bunch of other performance equipments have been highlighted which [...]
[...] yet another and modern variant of the Superb, the All New Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI Petrol with Manual Transmission for those who want more control over acceleration and want to drive in sporty [...]
Indian automobile industry fails to advertize the benefits if automatic transmission. Indian roads and traffic is just the right combination for an automatic transmission. All those who sit on the fence – go for automatic transmission. Please dont go by the myth that auto transmission is for female drivers. It is for ease and convenience of driving. Yes – the initial cost of the cars is 10% more as well as the running cost is 10% more; but the convenience of driving is 50% more than a car with manual transmission.
I am thinking of buying Hyundai i10 Auto Transmission. Is there any statistics available on the sales of AT cars vs MT in i10 or any model which has both AT and MT. This will help understanding of the service facility availability for AT cars. I think for example if the percentage of sales of Hyundai i10 AT is about 10+ % then it will be bit easy for service, if the sales of AT over MT is 1 or 2% then service is difficult
I don’t have the statistics. Please read this for further information.
http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Hyundai_i10-163344-1.html
[...] speed manual transmission in diesel [...]
[...] 6200 RPM and a maximum torque of 90 Nm @ 3900 RPM and the drivetrain comes coupled with Cable type manual transmission unlike the earlier link type. This cable type transmission is the one which is fitted in Maruti [...]
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] V-Matic Automatic Transmission [...]
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] the variants initially will couple their drive-trains with a 5-Speed manual transmission gearbox and possibility of the top end diesel model to come with a DSG(Direct Shift Gearbox) [...]
Hello Im going to buy Ford Endeavour i dont have idea to go with Endeavour 4×2 are Endeavour 4×4 AT …Im from India >> Chennai …As i use mostly for city drive ..also is AT will got broken ?
4 x2 or 4 x 4 will depend upon where you want to use it. For a mainly city drive buy 4 x 2
AT is excellent in this model!
[...] litre of petrol . This is an awesome mileage from a bike with such power and pickup. 5 speed – manual transmission gearbox. BS-III emission norms [...]
[...] 5 or 6 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]
[...] Speed Manual Transmission / Auto Transmission [...]
[...] company will install a newly engineered, compact, ‘low-friction’ CVT automatic transmission,having higher top ratio than normal [...]
[...] 5 Speed Manual Transmission [...]