Manual Vs Automatic Cars: What Should You Go for?

W hen buying a new car, you have to make a number of important decisions. But one of the biggest options is the choice of manual vs. automatic car models. While most of the world has switched to fully-automatic cars, many people remain lovers of manual transmissions. Even if it may not seem possible, they are still incredibly popular today.

The question remains…what are some of the major factors that distinguish manual, automatic, and semi-automatic cars? Which one is the best option for you? Let’s take a look! 

Manual Transmission

With manual, the gears have to be shifted manually. The car does not provide any support if you cannot immediately find out how it works. This means that if you start driving at first and do not shift manually, you won’t be able to get too far. 

Manual vehicles are equipped with three pedals. These include the clutch pedal, the accelerator and the brake. The accelerator and the brake are easy to figure out but the clutch is where you can get confused, even if you’ve been driving a long time. 

You have to put your foot on the clutch and press and let go of the accelerator whenever you need to change the gear. When you have engaged in another gear, then you must loosen the clutch while simultaneously increasing the acceleration while looking for the grinding point.

On paper, it looks pretty hard and needs a lot of practice, but a manual car is easily the option most people go for in many places, although many new vehicles are present which are automatic. 

Automatic Transmission 

In an automatic car, it changes the gears for you. A computer does the work of activating the clutch for you so there’s no need for a pedal. So, that only leaves the work of the accelerator and brake pedals for you. 

Not all the automatic cars are similar, however, they all contain a small lever which is present in the center console with which different driving modes can be selected. These usually include:

P - Parking

R - Reverse

N - Neutral

D - Drive 

In some of the cars, a manual option is present which lets you take over the computer. It does not involve the driver as much in "driving" the way a true manual transmission does but it definitely helps in controlling the car in a better way in many situations like overtaking.

Another important thing is that you can acquire a special automatic driver's license when you give your drivers exam. It is convenient for the drivers who have difficulty operating a manual car, but it also means that you can’t drive a manual car again.On the other hand, a driver's license for manual cars license covers you for both. 

Semi-Automatic

With this transmission, you can override the automatic transmission of the vehicle and shift it yourself. You can do this via two paddles which are right behind the driving wheel. This system has had a lot of changes through the years. Many drivers just call them automatic transmissions because they are so refined in automatic mode.

There is no manual coupling with a semi-automatic system. It is very easy to change gears and the change is almost instantaneous. 

Is Automatic The Right Choice?

This can depend on a number of factors. Automatic transmissions are incredibly practical if you only want to move from point 1 to 2 as easily as possible. They are also very pleasant in city traffic, as you do not have to constantly snap the clutch in and out.

Although they are convenient and effortless, they are sometimes less economical than the corresponding switch and do not always react to manual switching processes the way a semi-automatic would. However, some people do not find automatic cars as appealing as manual models.

This means that most prefer the many benefits of a manual car. Yes, they give you a better sense of commitment, but most people go for manuals just because it gives them greater control of the car. And when done right, they are more economical than an automatic transmission.

To conclude, a manual transmission is definitely the better choice when it comes to engagement and control. So in the race of Automatic Vs Manual, manual comes on top!