There’s been debate around which is better, manual or automatic transmission, for many years. Although recent years have seen automatic cars increase in popularity, the discussion still remains.
In this post, we’ll look at the differences between manual and automatic vehicles to help you make an informed choice on which type of transmission to go for next.
What are the differences between automatic and manual cars?
As described on PassMeFast, a car’s transmission connects to an engine and controls the distribution of speed and power. The type of transmission can impact your driving experience.
Manual transmission gives the driver more precise control, while automatic transmission will automatically change the gears depending on your speed and driving conditions. There are also semi-automatic cars on the market. These vehicles put drivers in control of gear changes while not having to worry about a clutch.
How to drive a manual car
A manual gearbox contains a gear level and clutch pedal alongside an accelerator and brake. You put your foot down on the clutch pedal when you want to change gear, with lower gears offering more force for pulling away or climbing hills and higher for when driving at faster speeds.
Putting the clutch down temporarily disconnects the engine from transmission so you can select a new gear using the gear stick. You’ll then release the clutch to drive on.
- Manual cars normally have five gears.
- You have greater control and can pick up more speed.
- Manual cars can be cheaper to buy, run and insure, due to automatic gearboxes being more expensive to repair.
- Driving in a manual car is not as smooth as an automatic.
- You’ll have to learn the importance of clutch control.
- Constantly changing gear in heavy or stop-start traffic can be physically demanding and cause aches and pains in your leg muscles.
How to drive an automatic car
When you drive an automatic car, you can focus on the driving. There are no concerns over grinding the gears or setting off in the wrong one. This is because these vehicles use an automated clutch, torque converter or CVT (continuously variable transmission) to change gear automatically, meaning it’s unlikely you will stall.
The shifters in automatic cars let you choose from the following options:
- P- Park. When you’ve parked up and want to leave the car.
- R – Reverse. When you want to drive backwards e.g. into a parking space or or garage.
- N – Neutral. Use this along with the handbrake if you are stopping for a short time.
- D – Drive. Put the foot down on the accelerator and this will choose the right car as you move forwards.
As mentioned in the RAC’s How to drive an automatic guide, some automatic cars also have S – Sport (increases the speed of the vehicle’s acceleration) and L – Low (driving in a lower gear for more power and less speed).
- Automatic cars can offer a more convenient and smoother driving experience.
- With no more navigating gears in stop-start traffic, they can be easier to manage.
- Hybrid and electric cars are essentially automatic cars, hinting the majority of cars in the future will follow suit.
- Automatic vehicles can be more expensive to repair than manuals.
- Some drivers may consider automatic cars dull to drive.
- Automatic cars can have higher insurance premiums, although with their increase in popularity, these could start to align more with manual costs in the future. Money Expert claims ‘It’s cheaper to insure a manual car than an automatic car, though the gap between the cost of insuring each type is slowly closing. It’s currently around 20% more expensive to insure an automatic car’.
Is it easy to drive an automatic car after manual?
If you’re thinking of moving over from a manual drive to automatic, it may take some getting used to but you’ll soon be on your way. You might try and change the shifter like when you’d normally change gear and it may take a little while to get used to the car doing the work for you, but it will come.
Some drivers consider automatic cars more boring to drive as they lack the control, while other drivers are more focused on the fact their legs and muscles no longer ache while driving on long journeys or in stop-start traffic.
In the past, manual cars had better fuel efficiency but as automatics have evolved from their original, slower three-speed transmission, this is no longer the case and both types of vehicle are similarly efficient.
How long does it take to learn to drive an automatic car?
Sometimes learning to drive in an automatic will be faster as you will not need to learn about changing gears, clutch control and the biting point. These are useful skills to learn if you plan on driving regularly, so consider this before making your decision.
If you pass your test in an automatic car, you will only be able to drive automatics in the future (if you pass in a manual, you can drive an automatic!). A recent survey from Motoring Research found that a fifth of practical driving tests are now a fifth of practical driving tests are now taken in an automatic car.
Should I choose an automatic car?
Automatic cars are increasing in popularity—Motoring Research states one in three cars on the road are now automatic—but ultimately the choice will depend on your individual preferences, budget and needs (due to health reasons, some people may only be able to drive an automatic car).
If you’re thinking of moving over from a manual to an automatic and have seen the latter for sale, why not take it for a test drive and see how you get on. If you want to do this, don’t forget to take out temporary car insurance.
You can get an hour or two’s comprehensive cover for one price, meaning you’ll have the time to really get a feel for the vehicle—and the owner’s no claims discount will not be affected.
Are manual cars being phased out?
Motorway.co.uk states that manual cars are gradually being phased out, due to the government initiative to ban the sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. This ban will not extend to those manual cars already on the road. All electric cars are automatic, meaning there will gradually be less and less manual cars on the road.
Sources
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/automatic-vs-manual-cars-which-is-better/
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/learning-to-drive/how-to-drive-an-automatic/
https://www.passmefast.co.uk/resources/learning-to-drive/getting-ready/automatic-vs-manual
https://www.confused.com/car-insurance/guides/manual-vs-automatic
https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/1-in-3-cars-automatic-uk
https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/manual-driving-tests-obsolete-2040
https://www.moneyexpert.com/car-insurance/manual-vs-automatic/
https://www.confused.com/car-insurance/guides/manual-vs-automatic
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive a manual car with an automatic licence?
If you pass your driving test in an automatic car, your driving licence (Category B auto) only allows you to drive automatic cars. If you want to drive a manual, you’ll have to upgrade your licence by taking the manual practical test. If you have a manual driving licence (Category B), you can drive an automatic without any need for extra tests.
Why are manual cars cheaper?
Manual cars tend to be cheaper to buy, run and insure as their parts are not as expensive as those used in automatic cars. Manual cars have lower manufacturing and production costs and simpler designs.
Is car insurance higher for a manual or automatic car?
MoneyExpert claims it’s currently around 20% more expensive to insure an automatic car for a year, but that the gap between insuring types is gradually closing.
Are automatic cars safer than manual cars?
The RAC claims ‘Automatic cars are safer as you can keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate more on the road ahead.’
What is continuously variable transmission (CVT)?
Nissan offers the following definition: ‘A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is designed to provide a smooth journey by seamlessly shifting through an infinite range of gear ratios to best match driving conditions.’
