this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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And modern automatic gearbox are actually more performant and use less gas than human shifters. We’re not driving 90s cars anymore.
Sure, on a straightaway with consistent traction, most modern transmissions can easily beat a human in shifting ability. But most people in the world don't have the latest and greatest hardware, and an automatic transmission doesn't have eyeballs and it can't read your mind. As is always the case, use the right tool for the job. There are times when the driver can leverage more info than what the car has access to to more effectively navigate their terrain.
Here’s an article that explores pros and cons; https://www.nationaltransmission.ca/manual-vs-automatic/
Interestingly all automatic transmissions I used had a high and low drives, which can be used to down shift or up shift as needed. Also, many automatic transmission from middle or high end cars have a semi-automatic shifter to go up and down gears. Best of both world.
I think this debate will be useless real soon anyway, with EV not needing a transmission at all.
Yeah, I'm ready for EVs to take over, they already prove to be superior mechanically, but they'll have to solve the energy density and heat dissipation problems, which are nontrivial. Solving them will be huge. Until then, gas is still the best option for long flat trips with no rests.
Edit: eh, that list seems...not very good imo. You can't have "better gas milage" be a pro on one, and "greener" be a pro on the other. Which is it?
I don't think "hard to find" is a relevant con for manual. We're comparing the practicality of the mechanisms, not the economic availability.
And I don't think the Con about being hard to focus is valid, because ever since learning to drive a stick, I'm forced to be more present, more observant, and think further ahead. And I do it subconsciously at this point. If anything it's exactly the opposite of their point. In an automatic, it's easier to zone out, and your subconscious isn't trained to consider half the details around you that a manual driver's is. To me that would indicate that more automatic drivers would lead to more accidents.