Posted on 10/09/2014 6:50:15 AM PDT by C19fan
That manual transmissions in vehicles survive in now-permanent status of endangered species-dom will come as no surprise. Despite all the driving benefits and sense of control a manual brings, even most sports cars now sell more automatics than sticks when they offer their drivers the option. (And when they don't, like the Dodge Viper, they don't sell well at all.)
Today, in its annual report on U.S. vehicle fuel efficiency, the Environmental Protection Agency provided a clear snapshot of just how endangered manuals are in two vivid graphs — along with a surprising sliver of hope for those who prefer three pedals to two.
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
+1 on the 500 gear replacement on a manual. And done in my garage.
Some automatics, even in fairly basic cars like a Corolla, will downshift for engine braking when brakes are applied going downhill. Had an ‘07 and it was a good car. Not exciting in the least, but well made, quiet, never a single problem. The trans was well-mated to the engine. Not a speed demon by any stretch and flooring it for freeway merge unsettled the car, but in it’s “zone” it ran quietly, kept up with traffic, shifted smoothly. Probably the ideal commuter appliance if you’re looking primarily for economy and reliability.
I have drove for over 60 years and never had a manual go out but at least half a dozen automatic`s go out.
I have an auto in the car because it stays on the highway but have a manual in the pickup because if push comes to shove I can push it to start it if I have to, but out in the boondocks with an auto that fails to start with the starter you are walking.
The only reason I gave up the stick was because of rush hour traffic which I had to be in 2 times a day. Mr. GG2 is going to buy me an Elio when they start production next year and its a manual transmission. Can’t wait.
Learned on a Dodge Dart with “Three on the Tree”, still my preferred shifter location. I’ll take auto, but the manual was okay.
I was under the impression that modern manual transmissions aren’t as manual as they appear, that computers are doing things out of sight. Any truth to that?
I’ve always had sticks..Problem is, the manufacturers that still offer them do so ONLY in their base models..you want some upgrades/options..you have to get an automatic
Truck - Dodge 3/4 ton - 5 speed w/ gear splitter
Car - '51 Studebaker - 3 on the tree w/ overdrive
always felt you drive a car that has a stickshift; you point a car with an automatic
Manual transmissions are the BEST. Least maintenance. Least expensive to repair. Best in bad weather (especially snow).
I can’t text, eat my sausage biscuit and fiddle with my Garmin while driving if I have to manually shift the transmission.
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Kia soul 2.0 litre with 6 speed. Drives like an MG A. Laying rubber in first two gears, working on third gear. Fun, fun, fun! |
I've driven a six speed car. Way too many gears.
Shifting into second gear before you even clear the intersection is 'Fun, fun fun!'?
I’m getting an Elio stick too. Can’t have automatic with that small of an engine.
I learned to drive on a manual. When I had to take the state mandated 6-hour course from a driving school it was the first time I drove an automatic.
I have purchased almost nothing buy manuals for my personal car and presently drive a six-speed manual. I don’t think you really know how to drive if you can’t drive a standard but that’s just my opinion.
There's a first gear? I usually shift from second to fifth if I'm not in a hurry, otherwise 2-3-5.
1. Conventional automatics aren't the heavy, mechanically-complicated, and slow-shifting units of the past. Thanks to modern electronics, today's automatics with torque converters actually have surprisingly few parts and are physically way smaller, since the control of the torque converter is done electrically.
2. Dual-clutch automatics such as Volkswagen's DSG and Ford's Powershift have gotten a lot lighter, since electronics eliminate much of the need for complex hydraulics needed with older dual-clutch automatic units.
3. Companies like Porsche and Ferrari now offer sports cars with dual-clutch automatics because sports cars with dual-clutch automatics are actually faster on race courses than conventional manuals.
4. It's actually easier to make an automobile meet emission standards with automatics than manuals.
Because automatics no longer impose performance, fuel economy and weight penalties on automobiles, no wonder automatics are found on most new models. And with electric cars, shifting gears have no meaning given the way electric motors work.
Still, if you are experienced with reading engine sound and/or a tachometer (which comes standard on most of the Japanese cars), you can shift down even before the AT does.
When we were dating, my now husband drove a stick. I had a Dodge Ram Charger 4wd auto, with a parking brake pedal. Once when he was driving my truck (my first sportute) down a isolated highway he saw a C store he wanted to stop at. He was rolling at about 60 mph, when he came to a shuddering halt, the truck just skidded on the pavement. I told him not to use the ‘clutch’.
It’s worth noting that most automatic transmissions have a torque converter, which is basically a fluid coupling in the drive train.
Many modern automatic transmissions, especially from Europe, are basically automated manual transmissions. They have a gear set, clutch(es), actuators, and computer controls to make it all work. They don’t have the inefficiency of the fluid coupling. All in all, they’re pretty nice, especially with paddle shifters for when you want to choose what gear you are in.
| Shifting into second gear before you even clear the intersection is 'Fun, fun fun!'? There's a first gear? I usually shift from second to fifth if I'm not in a hurry, otherwise 2-3-5. |
Your clutch replacement shop approves this method.
My first ten cars starting at age 16 were all manual, loved shifting for myself. Old track injury to my left knee started bothering me with the constant shifting in heavy stop and go traffic, so I finally broke down and got my first automatic in 2000. Bought nothing but since. Still have a manual trans Maxima that I take out into the country when I feel like rowing through the gears. Got a pretty fast Subaru LGT Limited wagon with a “sport shift” auto that does a pretty good job of mimicking a manual sans clutch. But, unless I’m in really hilly, steep country I generally just let the auto do it’s thing. The novelty has worn off, if I want to shift I have a manual car.
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