![]() Again, this was due to the driver’s ability to control gearing and maintain the vehicle at lower RPMs. On the opposite side of the spectrum, many responsible drivers preferred manual transmissions since it was believed to achieve better fuel economy. Advances in technology allowing for double-digit automatic transmissions have all but made the advantages of manual transmissions irrelevant. There is a reason super-premium brands have even shifted (no pun intended) their best-performing vehicles to automatics. However, that argument only made sense against the classic three and four-speed transmissions with clunky shifts. It was a no-brainer, if you want top speed, get a manual. The argument was simple: you can maximize engine power in each gear before moving up to the next gear. This is likely more common across premium and sports cars versus economic sedans where it remains more affordable to manufacture a manual gearbox due to significantly less componentry.įor decades, car enthusiasts boasted the value of manuals to achieve top performance. Due to scarcity, some stick-shift vehicles are more expensive and are now ubiquitous. The cost was traditionally a major factor in buying a manual over an automatic, however, this has decreased if not reversed. It is still recommended to periodically change the fluid in a manual gearbox, and it is typically inexpensive because they typically hold less fluid than automatic varieties. Typically, it is gear oil (highly viscous and also used in differentials) or heavy-weight motor oil. It is true that manual transmission fluid tends to break down at a slower pace than automatic transmission fluid. This means that in a high-pressure situation, an inexperienced or average stick-shift driver may be at higher risk due to split-second decision-making and having to navigate more components. Note that a manual variety requires not one, but two additional control components: a clutch pedal and a stick shift. It is true that drivers can control vehicles with a manual transmission in a superior fashion than their automatic counterparts, but it takes an experienced driver to realize this benefit. Reviewing the positive elements of a manual transmission takes some additional analysis. ![]() Manual Transmissions: Reliable and Old-School The next section will explore some of the benefits of each transmission type so consumers can make an informed purchase decision. Automatic transmissions have grown their market share for numerous reasons. The uptick in vehicles with a manual gearbox is likely a fad. This statistically significant increase has been fueled by younger drivers in their 20s wanting to enjoy the classic geartrain their parents and grandparents raved about from their teens. Although the 1.7% figure appears shockingly low, it is actually up from record lows of 0.9% and 1.2%, in 20, respectively. There has been, however, a tiny renaissance of vehicle purchases with manual transmissions. Why is that? Last year, manual transmissions accounted for only 1.7% of new vehicle sales. Brand, vehicle type (SUV, sedan, truck, van, etc.), color, and trim package, all take precedence over one of the most important components of a vehicle, a transmission. For the average consumer looking to purchase a vehicle, transmission type is rarely a major consideration.
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