Do you have less control in an Automatic?

Many experienced manual drivers will claim they have less control in an Automatic car. In this video I explain why and give a quick overview on the different types of automatic systems that are available.
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This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in the UK, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.
Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.
00:00 Baffled?
00:31 This automatic
01:13 Up gears
02:17 Down gears
02:48 Slowing down
03:27 Low speeds
04:46 Manual low speeds
05:27 Manual mode
07:08 Hills
09:17 Different automatics
12:39 Outro

[@Grocbeast]

You answered the question in the first 30 seconds: automatic is easier to control, manual gives you more control

[@ConquerDriving]

That's a good way of putting it actually, thank you.

[@clover7359]

I'd argue this is one of those "it depends" sort of topics. In a very good automatic transmission (like Mazda's skyactiv 6-speed auto) you have more control than you ever could in a manual. A good automatic lets you creep at low speeds for controlled parking, downshifts faster than you ever could for controlled acceleration response, and usually has a taller final gear ratio to control fuel efficiency. Good automatics also have good manual gear selection interfaces for controlled engine braking down grades as well.

[@ConquerDriving]

I haven't tried the Mazda auto, I hear it's good. But good point, my favourite auto is a Toyota Hybrid, it drivers like an electric car so it's very smooth and responsive.

[@gh256]

@@ConquerDriving I have the new Yaris and I agree, I forget what a petrol car feels like even though it is one, the engine start is so subtle as are the gear changes. The only issue is it can sound quite angry accelerating hard due to the belt style gearbox.

[@panavmendiratta6723]

You know, it really does depend. I'm used to driving a 15 year old hummer H3, which has a four speed automatic with a locking torque converter (it's a system where in each gear above a certain rpm, usually above 1200, a shaft locks in the torque converter to ensure no power is lost) and it gives me really good control at low speeds, accelerates sharply without the need to rev high, and if you put your foot flat to the floor it downshifts immediately and gives you all the power you need. All the issues mentioned in this video are not what i face which makes it really interesting.

[@Obi1-KenBone-Me]

It really dosent depend. In an automatic you have less control.

[@vijuvlogs]

@@ConquerDriving just Toyota?? What about Honda Hybrid?

[@bramvrints5050]

Totally agree with you. My dad's car is an automatic, and often i wanna accelerate (eg. when speed limit increases) and the car downshifts when it absolutely doesn't have to. It sometimes makes driving jerky and uncomfortable. However, in a traffic jam, an automatic is an absolute delight

[@PointNemo9]

Try not applying so much throttle or gradually increasing the throttle, then the car won't downshift. If you apply full throttle the car will assume you want maximum acceleration hence the downshift.

[@BeatsByYari]

I had the same problem in the beginning in my automatic, if you apply a lot of throttle, the car thinks you want to accelerate quickly and thus it downshifts. If you apply the throttle a little more gently or a bit earlier it does just fine without downshifting. It took me a few weeks to get used to but that problem is now long gone.

[@KartsAgainstHumanity]

Car downshifts because it's moving to a better gear for acceleration. Don't put your foot down so hard if you don't want the car to change gear

[@rearviewmirror21]

As above, don't be so heavy with your right foot and it won't downshift 👍

[@melinuxf00l]

This is where I miss older cars. When I first drove an automatic car, you could feel it in the accelerator where, if you pushed it any further, it would trigger a downshift. Nowadays, the accelerator is electronic and has no feeling to it. One of the worst ideas the automotive industry ever came up with. The electronic accelerator pedals are 100 times worse on manual cars, though, where that feeling matters way more for driving smoothly.

[@jess09ra]

I have a licence, I don’t live in the UK, yet I still watch all your videos! Very informative and entertaining, you’re a really great presenter of information and make everything entertaining!

[@raven4k998]

I love how I do not have to deal with any of the bs with my ev since it's only got one gear and thus no gear changing bs with no power loss during acceleration all the time which is nice

[@LRTOTAL]

@@raven4k998 Driving a manual car is fun, even though I just have a little hyundai i10. When it's time to retire this car, I'd like to get an EV because they're getting really good and the future is electric.

[@zethcader6478]

@@LRTOTAL Well have fun replacing your car every ten years lol

[@jollyguy2007]

Watching from India and having driven manuals for 15 years and bought a second car with automatic gear box for my wife, i can completely relate to what you are saying. Manuals are fun for an enthusiastic, experienced driver.

[@JaZoN_XD]

I am in North America and this was the first time I've ever in my life that I've heard of a real "robotized manual" transmission aside from a single-clutch auto in the old lamborghinis or double clutch sports car transmissions. I found that fascinating, since I've always wondered why anyone wouldn't make these kinds of transmissions. The only automatics you see in NA are torque converters (again, aside from DSG/PDK etc. etc.)

[@royliber3824]

@SANJAY NAIR In Israel we got quite a lot of cars like that as well. Mostly smaller cars like the new Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 etc. They are quite horrible when it comes to comfort but they truly are more fuel efficiency. In the city this is the perfect gearbox for those who hate manual. Like you mentioned, in lower speeds you sometimes don't notice when the car is even shifting because its fairly smooth below 50KMH or so. At highway speed you can definitely feel that but mostly these cars aren't meant for highway driving.

[@DigBipper188]

That's a good question actually, because single and dual clutch autos and manuals (such as the VW DSG, Lamborghini LP640 E-Gear or even something as simple as a Ford iB5 manual) are more efficient. They have lower internal friction when compared to the planetary gearing of a viscous coupled automatic, so therefore rob less engine power. Not to mention, parts for manual transmissions are far simpler and cheaper to obtain than for planetary geared automatics owing to the raw simplicity of a synchromesh gearbox (the type used in manual and single / dual-clutch gearboxes).

[@Bishox]

Basically recentish every audi and WV automatic is a DSG/S tronic - which is a dual clutch

[@dufonrafal]

It's because they used to be more efficient and therefore more suited to both the high fuel prices and smaller engines found in Europe. The facelift of this car actually has a torque converter automatic because by then they became much more efficient than before. EDIT: they're actually the norm in trucks (the big ones, tractor trailer) both in Europe and North America.

[@damonhinson4005]

First time hearing of it as well. Don't get me wrong, I do prefer the manuals, but the autos we have here in NA actually work pretty damn well. Hell, consistently speaking, they still shift faster than me. And no issues at crawl speeds either

[@eoghanmcgivern282]

Passed my driving test on Saturday with 5 minors. Your advice helped a lot, thanks so much.

[@thevahandbook]

congratulations!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's great news! Congratulations on passing!

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

What do you want, a lollipop?

[@MintiesPoopin]

@@thegrandmuftiofwakanda You alright? Seems like you wanna talk about something.

[@TinglingTaco]

How can you do a driving test with five minors in the car? Did you take the school bus for your exam? All jokes aside, congrats and safe journeys!

[@shanechapman8444]

Passed my test last Tuesday but still looking forward to seeing more of these videos, they did help a huge amount with getting through my test as well 😁

[@campbellgraham1979]

Congratulations on passing your test, your world just became a lot bigger. I’ve had my licence since 1999 and still watch this channel cos you’re still always learning.

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news, thank you for watching and congratulations on passing.

[@RankedMusic]

Passed my test today, first time, 5 minors. Your videos have helped so so much!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic to hear, congratulations on passing!

[@BN99239]

The planetary gears in the ZF8 is an incredible design. Lightweight, super fast to downshift multiple gears due to its design. In a lot of cases, it's actually smoother and quicker than some DCTs out there.

[@ConquerDriving]

The ZF8 is great!

[@jesse291]

I recently went on my first HGV lesson, it was also the first time I drove automatic. It felt really weird when the trottle pedal just did nothing when it shifted up, mostly because I never knew when it would do so. I did feel like I had less control for sure, especially when an awkwardly timed upshift (just before a hill) almost stalled the engine...

[@johnb8956]

Yeah those kind of autos take a while to get used to. They’re like the robotised autos in cars, except they take longer because there’s a lot more gear to change. They’re also surprisingly unintuitive. You’d think for such heavy, complex machinery they’d make a slightly better box

[@glenndonnelly511]

Hey! how has HGV driving been since this comment?

[@davidelegbede3347]

Many thanks for your videos. Passed first time yesterday with a minor and had a really good drive with the examiner. Keep up the good work. I especially loved the mock test drives.

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on passing!

[@charleslutombi7534]

Been watching your videos for 2 years, Just got my driving license Thank you very much, ur videos helped a lot💙

[@ConquerDriving]

That's great news! Thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@besartsaliu]

I just got my driving license today with manual. Thank you a lot. Your videos helped me. I wish you knew how much easier things got for me after watching your videos. You explain very well🤝

[@isla4953]

Congrats on passing!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's really great to hear, congratulations on passing!

[@hamdanali2036]

been driving since jan 2020, and used to watch this guy when i was a learner.. but i still find myself in watching his videos every now and then. says a lot about the quality and engagement of his content. keep it up bro

[@nilsdendekker1300]

I got my drivers license in the Netherlands 2 months ago and 3 weeks ago i went to England for vacation, These videos were a great help to me to understand the pretty different to us road rules in the UK! Thanks a lot

[@bjthedjdutchdude1992]

Het is zeker handig. Ik was afgelopen voorjaar op vakantie in Engeland. Heb huur fietsen genomen en Ik had nul problemen op de weg.

[@cameronleehorace]

I had a strange relationship with learning to drive. I started in a manual found it too hard then went to automatic lessons then after a while in automatic I went back to manual lessons and then passed in a manual. I am pleased that I passed in a manual as they are more fun to drive and you definitely feel more engaged in the driving experience (helps if you have a fun car to drive). I wouldn’t necessarily say you have more control in a manual though other than gear choice. I love driving a manual now but I miss automatic in stop start traffic. I think both choices are nice but if I had the money I would probably have a nice automatic and then a manual for when I want a more engaging drive. For now I will choose manual.

[@marvin2678]

i would do the same choice, a nice daily driver and a affordable manual sports car like a miata

[@orcusdei]

It is noticeable. The situation when you see it probably the most is when you are on a highway, you are stuck behind a slow vehicle and you need to overtake it fast. You step on the gas and... nothing happens for a second or almost 2 seconds, then the automatic realizes you need to go fast and suddenly shoots out full speed. I have ADHD so I love automatic, it's just more convenient and I can put all my concentration on driving instead of shuffling the stick all the time in some wild city situations, but it have some downsides. This and reversing.

[@Mortimer50145]

Even for someone who only intended ever to drive automatics, I'd advise always to pass a test in a manual because (in the UK, at least) your licence then covers you to drive either. If you pass in an automatic you are not licensed to drive a manual - except presumably as a learner with L plates and a qualified driver to supervise you.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Modern Torque Converters consistently outperform manuals in the efficiency department because they can bypass the torque converter when not needed, and because torque converters are consistently much lighter than they used to be, meaning the weight difference is relatively marginal nowadays.

[@stephenbanyar1874]

These videos on automatics come from heaven. They're so entertaining! I am thankful for the manual videos, those helped me pass my test. :)

[@johnbarclay88]

This explains one of the issues I have always with my now quite old C200 Blue Efficiency model, namely a lag between accelerating and the response, followed by an unwanted surge in acceleration.

[@blessingnwachukwu8756]

I just came here to say that I passed my test with 3 minors yesterday. Your videos have been super helpful. To think that I don’t even know your name but you have taught me so much. Thank you and God bless and increase you , in Jesus name, Amen 🙏🏻

[@fuinto3751]

Hey man i have been watching your manual driving tip videos and have practiced for about 50 hours on the road and am going for my license soon your tips have helped me a bunch

[@ConquerDriving]

That's great to hear, good luck!

[@JK061996]

I used to borrow my aunt's C2 with the same robotized transmission. The worst part was almost stopping at roundabouts and accelerating again, as the gearbox felt very slow to engage the clutch. I also managed to stall it once

[@rearviewmirror21]

It totally depends on the type of automatic gearbox. I learnt in a Yaris Hybrid with a CVT transmission which was super smooth, had a great creep function, and was nice to drive. Since passing I now drive two BMWs, both with ZF gearboxes (with torque converter), and they're silky smooth! An absolute pleasure to drive and easy to control, and extremely responsive with gear changes - I don't even notice it changing gear (apart from the noise from the revs) as it's instant.

[@ConquerDriving]

You have driven two of the smoothest systems I've used. Many aren't like that.

[@rearviewmirror21]

@@ConquerDriving no I agree, some are truly awful! My partner drove manual cars for 25 years but after switching to the ZF8 last year it totally changed his opinion on automatics, so there's hope for other manual enthusiasts 🤣

[@demagab]

Toyota hybrids and conventional torque converter transmissions fell almost exactly the same: at low speed I see no difference (while it's completely another story even with VW's DSG) and while driving, except for the absence of upshifting, Toyota hybrids don't feel like CVTs but they always have the expected amount of torque. They behave exactly like automatics in the kick down phase, where the engine starts to rev up and after a little while you feel all the torque.. not sure why but that's what they do

[@charlotteoleary196]

I agree with this! I thought it was just me. Sometimes I think it would be nice to pop the car up in a higher gear. However I have learnt there is a technique to getting the robot to change gear, so if you accelerate and brake smoothly it finds it much easier to change gears. When I give the gas a bit of welly it takes a couple of seconds before the car has caught up with my action. However I find it way more easier to control than a manual as the car will move on its own and you can slow it down like a manual with practice. It also means you're not driving in the wrong gear and having to wait for a good moment to change!

[@j-medsystems7142]

This was a revealing video. I did know how the robotized manuals are in a technical sense but have never tried one and didn't know how they behave in practice.

[@ellisnsutherland]

Thanks for making such an informative video, Richard. As per usual.

[@16lucarelli]

Passed first time with a manual car, only 2 minors so I'm pretty chuffed with that! Thank you for the videos they really helped me!!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news, congratulations on passing!

[@wDec149]

really great video. i have this thought too but didn't think it was solid enough to have in common with someone else, yet alone to have you make a video on it lol very insightful stuff

[@keatanc]

Passed my driving test today thanks to your vids 😄😄

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news, congratulations on passing!

[@melinuxf00l]

All of these are very good points. Another way that automatics offer less control is when trying to start off in slippery conditions. I live in the US state of Maine, and there are times when the amount of snow or ice can make it difficult to even get the car moving without spinning the tires, especially uphill. With manual cars, I've been able to start off in second or even third gear when it was impossible to get the car moving in first. In a lot of automatic cars, however, selecting 2 or 3 doesn't actually lock it into second or third; it simply locks it out of the higher gears, but still starts off in first every time. Some newer cars have a "snow mode" that's supposed to make up for that deficiency, but I've never driven one, so I can't speak to its effectiveness or lack thereof. In addition to being able to start off in higher gears, there's also the ability to rock the car out of a snowdrift. A little dance with the clutch and accelerator, and I'm unstuck in no time. You can't really do that with an automatic. So in addition to the inherent inefficiencies in traditional torque converter automatics, people here also tend to buy a vehicle with all-wheel drive-which makes the vehicle consume even more fuel-to make up for that lack of control. I drove my old 1999 Saturn SL through winter conditions where people with 4×4 trucks were shocked that I was even able to make it through, practically plowing the snow with my front bumper. I'll take winter tires and a manual gearbox over a 4×4 automatic any day of the week. Also, when you drive an older car, the ability to push start the car if your starter gives out can save a hefty tow bill. I've had to do that on more than one occasion with some of my old cars.

[@m2heavyindustries378]

A niche issue for a niche cold weather environment driver. May or may not apply elsewhere...

[@inarius9080]

Good to see you sharing these tips, but i will also say a 4x4/AWD vehicle gives you a lot more grip then u might think, i remeber when my polo truggled to get up a hill bc of ice, while my subaru on the same day didnt even notice the ice as other cars where struggling, a proper 4x4/awd vehicle will always have more traction than a 2wd car even if auto.

[@melinuxf00l]

@@inarius9080 An important thing to realize here is that the Subaru is not actually giving you more traction. It feels like that because of how it accelerates. What it's actually doing, though, is optimizing how power is delivered to make the best use of available traction to accelerate the car. Go *down* a similarly icy hill and try to stop, and that four-wheel drive system is not going to make a lick of difference, because you don't actually have more any more grip on the road with four-wheel drive. How much grip you have comes down to the road surface and your tires. This isn't a knock on four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, mind you. It can be an excellent help in the winter months. But understanding what it does and does not do for you is paramount to winter safety. The best set-up for severe winter conditions is a manual transmission (if you actually know how to use it), studded winter tires, and four-wheel drive. Personally, I've done enough winter driving to where, if I feel it is bad enough to *need* four wheel drive, then it is bad enough to stay off the roads in the first place.

[@5610winston]

We had an ice storm maybe sixty years ago. I remember most of the neighbors unable to get their autobox cars moving because as soon as they came off the brake the wheels started to spin, but the little old lady next door put her Frazer Mahattan in second gear and doddered away up the hill.

[@sianiesauntie]

I passed my test last year in a manual Fiesta, then drove for almost a year in my Dad’s 2011 Astra while I was waiting for a new car to come into stock. I found driving so stressful in my Dad’s car (for some reason, I struggled getting into third gear), so decided to get an automatic. I now have a 2022 MG ZS, and I LOVE it. It drives like a dream, loves hills and the motorway, and just wants to go. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a manual, but I’m glad I did a manual test so I have the option if I change my mind in the future.

[@tomg6889]

I'm also an automatic convert, my car is a Golf dsg auto with a twin clutch. The only time I miss a manual is tight low speed manovering and parking where I do agree having a manual gives you more control. But definitely for me the pros of an automatic outweighs the negatives for real world everyday use.

[@d1oftwins]

@@tomg6889 I don't understand why an automatic should be worse at parking. Usually they creep at a very low speed without touching the gas pedal when you let off the brake pedal which means you can easily control parking speeds with the brake pedal only. I would even say it is safer since in case of a close call you instinctively step on the brake pedal and thus stop the car.

[@James28R]

Just wait till you try a non chinese shitbox car!

[@kasiakasia8746]

I passed my driving test today:) Thank you very much without your chanel it would be much harder:)

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news, congratulations on passing!

[@jskep]

Hey Richard, thanks for your amazing videos. I just passed my test with 0 minors today! I couldn't afford an instructor so I just watched your videos and then practiced with my relatives. I genuinely dont think I would have passed without them!

[@ConquerDriving]

Wow, that is amazing to hear, thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@jaymcmaster]

Congratulations. I passed 4 weeks ago.

[@sandrahenriques8596]

Thanks amazing!!!

[@inah4923]

I passed today with six minors and revised your videos ! Thank you .

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news, thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@rhinovandam]

This is interesting, I just passed in automatic in my own car, a 12 year old Nissan note, and I don’t feel these issues, could this be newer cars trying to be too clever over older automatic that didn’t have so much assistance? I love my little note, at 40 years old I just couldn’t get my head round manual and with a baby I needed to pass asap, and automatic changed my life and the stress and pressure I was under to learn, there’s definitely pros and cons but I couldn’t be happier with my note.

[@PointNemo9]

New drivers (and automatic only drivers) don't notice it because they don't know the feeling of what it is like to have complete control over a manual transmission.

[@BeatsByYari]

I passed in a manual and I mostly drive auto cars, only on occasion do I drive a manual. I can’t say I miss it, autos drive much more comfortably, even older ones. You just have to get used to the way it drives and it becomes completely natural.

[@Ammi6543]

I believe your Nissan Note is a 4-speed torque converter automatic. These tend not to have the long shift times that singe-clutch automatics do, at the expensive of being slightly mushier feeling. However for a beginner the slightly mushier feel probably helps smooth out the drive a bit

[@iuopunderstandyourjokes9914]

I feel relaxed when I drive manual

[@ConquerDriving]

If you learn in an auto you're less likely to notice as you won't be used to a manual. But there are many different automatic gearboxes, some better than others.

[@emmanuelkwameawunyoh8864]

I haven't start driving yet but I feel I can drive now 'cause I have watched all your videos to the end. I will be glad if you can do tutorials on automatic car as well. I like the way you teach 😊

[@thomasjones8588]

The delay in gear changes can be overcome with a pedal box. This transformed my car, no hesitation at all now.

[@rmatube]

Very true, you say what I was thinking. After driving manual coming to auto feeling . Special since it moves without actually pressing accelerate unless in neutral

[@lindachacewater5452]

Thank you so much for this video. I feel vindicated. I told my ex for years that you have less control in an automatic and he just wouldn't listen. I've always felt less in control for all the reasons you mention. The lag around gear changes in an automatic can be the difference between getting into trouble and getting out of it. Passed my test 34 years ago today and would still choose a manual over an auto.

[@CBitsTech]

I love your clear style. My wife and I have driven manuals for decades, but now she has a front wheel drive PHEV. Recently, due to roadworks she had to mount the kerb to exit our minor street. There's no manual clutch, and the weight at the back prevented the rear wheels from getting up the kerb, the 'clutch' just slipped. Likewise, reversing the big car into the narrow garage, the 2cm lip of concrete requires quite high revs to lift the rear wheels, which then shoots the car backwards into the garage if you're not quick with the brake. Maybe there's a brake/accelerator combination we're not aware of. Any tips please? Maybe a series of tips videos for more mature drivers adapting to newer technology would do well on your channel. Thanks.

[@firenza74]

A very informative video,well done..Sad to see the manual box is on the way out..I much prefer to choose my own gears,especially in snow..

[@DirigiblePlum69]

I drive a Honda Civic VTEC SE and it is a Semi Automatic. I experience the problems you mention such as slow lag when driving in auto mode and do manoeuvres the clutch let's it itself out too quickly so I'm having to stop start using the brake. Driving in Semi automatic mode is much better though because it is very similar to driving a manual and I feel I have more control of the car. I passed my test in a manual car so when I can, my next vehicle will be back driving a manual again. Another excellent video 👍 I can relate to most of what you was talking about. Cheers.

[@SteffiTunaPie]

I drive a CVT(Raize turbo) but previously a manual transmission car but I get more control with CVTs as long as it has paddle shifters or manual option. The downshift is smooth and fast temporarily which is very convenient.

[@CampGareth]

Just to add to your electric section, they also have regen braking which is often configurable. In my leaf you make a similar gesture to downshifting in a manual car and it increases the regen/engine braking. Make the same gesture and it's back to normal.

[@ConquerDriving]

That's true.

[@DerekTJ]

Just discovered you - great teaching channel.

[@bundik7694]

fantastic video, as always

[@888SpinR]

I can't remember these issues when I drove an automatic (bearing in mind I probably wasn't perceptive enough to notice them!), but having driven both I'm much happier on a manual.

[@jpsalis]

I'm definitely at the point where I know when my car is going to shift and by taking my foot off or putting more power down, I can get it to go up or down gears. However there is a certain amount of unpredictability, the computer is constantly guessing what you want it to do next, which is a hard task. I've seen some cars do a pretty terrible job at this. Like you mentioned, a pseudo gear limiter helps alleviate this a bit. This 5-speed minivan I drive has a selector for all the lower gears (4,3,2,L), which makes it easier to control how the car behaves on hills, and allows me to "persuade" it into a lower gear when I need that level of control.

[@oleksiikovalenko8544]

Hi Rochard! Thanks for another great video. I have been driving the same car in the video (I believe it's Citroen c4 II) for four months, it's my first car. I totally agree that the robotized gearbox gives you less control, and it feels like that often. Going uphill is one of the best examples of that, as you can't go to a lower gear to accelerate as fast as you need. Long story short, I'm still getting used to driving that robotized gearbox :)

[@vogelovers5974]

Are used to live in Essex. I loved it ❤

[@codyyim1]

Hey I just want to say thanks! Pass my driving test today in first take!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on passing!

[@1verstapp]

i used to have a hyundai i30 with one of those slo-mo gearshifts. i no longer do, and i'm glad.

[@liamcooke8426]

One of the biggest things for me when driving an auto when used to a manual was slowing the car to a stop at traffic lights or a roundabout, in a manual I’d be subconsciously using the gears as a reference point to smoothly bring the car to a stop, whereas in an auto you don’t have that so I found I was approaching lights or roundabouts a little bit too quick and would have to break heavier

[@bencodykirk]

I learned in central London in 1988 in an Austin Metro (manual, of course). I passed 2nd time round which I'm happy with. Since 1998 I've only had autos and would never go back to manual. I feel that I have plenty of control.

[@dillanmistry]

I hope this video shows why we love manuals

[@JoeBob79569]

I've driven manuals for about 20 years and I just got an automatic last year, and I find it to be great fun. Maybe more fun than a manual. It's an X-Type 2.2D 6-speed so it has a lot of power, and I absolutely love just randomly sinking the boot and having constant acceleration, and not having to worry about changing gears. Especially going up steep hills. I almost never use manual mode because I just can't find any advantage to it, mostly because when I go to change gears it takes a second or so to do it, and it just doesn't feel right. Better to just let the car do it at the right time. Plus the fact that I forget to change gears half the time when in manual mode, and so the car eventually does it itself anyway! But I find that I can change gears with the accelerator anyway. If I want to drop a gear or two I'll just sink the pedal, and if I want to cruise in the current gear I'll just back off the revs very slightly.

[@RePlayBoy101]

highend stuff is allmost allways good but when you take an average car with an average automatic transmition it starts to become anoying for some people.... and sometimes it can be dangerous if you for example missjudge incomming traffic and right at that time you have no power

[@JoeBob79569]

@@RePlayBoy101 Yea, I agree. But I think in general, small engine cars are more dangerous, unless you're somebody who never drives fast and just refuses to overtake. My last car, a manual 1.6L diesel, was terribly unreliable because I was never sure if the turbo would kick in or not. Sometimes I could overtake, no problem, but other times the boost just wouldn't kick in and I'd have to drop another gear and pray, or else abandon the overtake maneuver. It's so much safer knowing that you always have some extra power at your disposal for a quick overtake, as opposed to having to completely sink the boot and rock yourself back and forth while white-knuckling the steering wheel!

[@johnsaidi7601]

​@@RePlayBoy101an X-Type is hardly a high end car, it's basically a rebadged Ford Mondeo.

[@chrismoon7518]

Often drivers in autos dont realise that gear changing is controlled by the right foot and you need to be sensitive with it if you dont want it to change down. If you are heavy footed it will change up and down all the time.

[@UnliRide]

DCT = best of both worlds. Good topic as always!

[@demagab]

Not really: DCTs still use the clutch so driving at low speed can be jerky or unpredictable: they want to engage the clutch all the way to prevent overheating and still they might feel unnatural. The best controllability comes from the torque converter, which allows you to creep up a hill at a steady 1mph with no issues. Best of both would be a DCT with a torque converter, but only Acura is doing that I believe

[@awsinger1]

My first car was a manual vw up then I got an automatic ASG vw up - it really wasn't that great. Very hesitant. I then got a manual fiat panda - love that little car so much! My panda is in the garage and I've had a courtesy car for 3 weeks or so - a brand new mazda 2 automatic skyactiv 6 speed and its night and day comapred to the ASG. So much control and so smooth. I'm going to save up to get an auto mazda 2 for my next car after the panda :)

[@quinnobi42]

As a person living here in the US, most cars here are still have torque convertor transmissions. Economy cars tend to have a CVT with an inbuilt torque convertor. Dual clutch transmissions generally seem to be reserved for more 'sporty' cars, by which I mean lower cars and hot hatches. I'm not sure what the body types are called, but by lower cars I mean pretty much any body style where you aren't sitting in a fully upright position. What I am meaning to say overall is that the torque convertor transmission is still the dominant style here in the US. I think most people are used to the way that coming off the brake starts the car moving forward slightly. Single clutch automatic transmissions are very rare. I've only ever driven one car that had a single clutch automatic, and it just never had any power when I wanted it, which made it at least feel like the slowest car I have ever driven. I so think that it really was the slowest I've ever driven though. Suffice to say, people over here absolute are not going to buy a car that has a single clutch automatic unless it's a super budget car. I would like to add to the argument for manual transmissions that sometimes automatics just can't decide which gear they want to be in. I've driven in a car where on cruise control up a certain grade slope, it would hop between gears. You you would start off in what was presumably sixth, then it would bump down two gears (and it went down the gears like a sequential, one at a time) give a burst of power, acceleration, and engine noise for approximately a second, before jumping back up through 5th to 6th gear. It would stay in 6th for maybe two or three seconds, before repeating the cycle. It's like it couldn't decide whether to be in 4th or 6th and completely ignored 5th, which would have been the ideal gear for that slope. I should add as well that this car was not very smooth at downshifting. You would feel a lurch of acceleration every time it went down a gear, making the above behaviour especially annoying.

[@beardyface8492]

One of my most nerve wracking experiences ever was trying to reverse a Renault Master automatic into a parking bay up a slope with limited space. Your options were backwards way too fast, or rolling forwards again. Was lovely driving forwards on trips, backwards or in tight spaces was plain scary. Was so glad when we replaced it with a manual one.

[@tag10uk]

I have a SEAT with a VW DSG auto box and it is absolutely brilliant, always has the right gear and smooth fast changes. I wouldn't ever go back to a manual again! Great video by the way.

[@tommo010]

This right here, I have a Cupra Formentor and I was very apprehensive of having an automatic but the VWGroup DSG is fantastic and the switch to flappy paddle mode for those moments when you want control like down shifting is seemless

[@acanalesc]

@@tommo010 The automatic transmission that i met first and in full power was a DSG in a Skoda Fabia, 30 miliseconds of shift time, something no human would ever beat, but then I learned that ATV 8 exists, torque converters, etc... So yeah, DSG is the only go to for me. And man the launch control of the formentor completely stole my soul.

[@JayRietMusic]

On the topic of hill asist, the van I drive for work has it too, but when the start-stop system is enabled it shuts off when on the break, but when letting go of the break it takes a second to start up and in that moment it rolls backwards

[@bri77uk1]

I had an Alfa 156 Selespeed (Silly speed), which was an early single clutch robotised manual. I stopped at my first roundabout on an incline after buying it, came off the brakes to go and it quickly started rolling backwards. I'd only driven manuals and Torque Converter autos before then. I soon learned to use the handbrake almost as a second clutch on hill starts - That's probably why I don't trust electronic handbrakes and hill hold systems now. I too tended to keep it in manual mode, but it became second nature to anticipate the automatic changes, coming off the gas just as it changed up - Made progress much smoother! Toyota and Lexus eCVTs are excellent, and Dual Clutch robots are much less annoying than Single Clutchers used to be, but can still be caught out.

[@demagab]

That sounds like a nightmare! I agree with you: the hybrid powertrain from Toyota feels exactly like a torque converter, while DCTs still suffer from having a clutch

[@OhNoNotFrank]

I'd always choose a manual for slippery or icy roads - though I drive an automatic. In Scandinavia... Still: If you loose grip while your car is in Drive or when breaking - your car becomes a sledding board going straight ahead no matter how much you turn the steering wheel, something manual control over the clutch (often) can solve in an instant. In an automatic the driver (and the mentioned "robot") can shift to Neutral, but I doubt as quickly as when stepping on the clutch in a manual. Split seconds that cost lives.

[@iCultish]

got a CVT transmission in my audi a6 c6, it's really smooth and efficient on fuel as you said, and I don't really mind the noise, except for a part where if you brake downhill, the revs start to go up

[@thomasb4422]

IMHO this is a good thing, as the car is using the engine brake automatically. Yes, it's more uncomfortable due to the noise, but I live near a 2km long 15% decline and the majority of people go down it in their highest gear, riding the brakes all the time

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Why did anyone ever think SMGs were a good idea? I have heard nothing but complaints about all but really expensive ones.

[@ethan.anderson680]

I drive a couple of cars both manual and auto. My Mercedes with a CVT doesn’t do any of the typical bad CVT things. Best gearbox I’ve ever had.

[@MelchizedekKohen]

My peugeot 2008 with the 8 speed auto is a dream to drive all the control you could ever need. I dont see the need for a manual these days tbf

[@inesucrvenom]

A bunch of years ago I've learnt on manual (and got my licence). Was pretty stressed, and I didn't drive (life happens). Now in different country decided to relearn, found a teacher but she has automatic. I wasn't happy but husband said I should give it a go. I hate that car 😂 it's slow, non reactive and many times she said/yell to me 'give the gas' on highway and I would answer/yell back 'I'm giving'... That's frustrating. I definitely don't have a feeling that I have any control in that car, also i don't hear the engine so I have to watch speedometer like a hawk otherwise I'm either too fast or too slow (I'm in Switzerland, going 5 over the limit is 40 chf/usd/eur fine, going 9 is 100). Car we have is older gen Miata. I was nervous to sit down in it, but oh boy, how smooth that thing rides. I really have a feeling it reacts to my thoughts and intentions, that's how reactive it is. And by the engine sound I know the speed I'm going, so making the ride much safer since I watch the road and not the speedometer. I had a plan to do few more hours with instructor just for (more) highways, but I'm dreading that car. Only thing I really like in that car is that it has seat cooling system 😂 in Miata I'm enjoying the ride, despite the (still) stressful situations (basically any new one is causing me a bit of anxiety, last ones were having low fuel lamp going on and getting lost/doing too many wrong turns despite the satnav 😂). Your videos helped me much more than instructor (she is great to be second pair of eyes and legs, because I was very anxious about that, and correct me on the spot, but you explain reasons and techniques much much better, so I could really learn my car fast and understand what I should do instead of poor thing I did), so thank you once again on making them! Ok granted, Miata is not your common manual car, but that automatic is just poor car even on its own. Like I'm trying to manoeuvre an elephant 😂

[@ConquerDriving]

The miata is an iconic driving car for a reason, they're great.

[@plesandrei-valentin5731]

One situation in which owning a manual saved me from getting towed was in the winter. I parked with my front wheels in a small ditch (couldn't see it because of the snow) and when I tried to get going there was not enough grip to get out. But a bit of back and forth, using the clutch and 2nd gear to move forward and drop backwards, I swayed myself hard enough that I got out. My friend, automatic car with new Michelin winter tyres had to get pushed by 4 people and we barely managed to get him out

[@ConquerDriving]

A similar thing happened to me in the snow, more than once. Rocking the car using the clutch got me going.

[@chrissheldon8708]

I have a 7G-DCT auto in my Mercedes and it's great, the gear changes up or down are very quick it's much quicker than someone could do in a manual.. I'll never go back to manual!

[@svr5423]

Gear changes on manual always disconnect the engine from the transmission so there is no acceleration during that time. a DCT (or DSG) just opens one clutch while closing the other to the gear that has already been prepared, so the power output continues.

[@RedPanda_______]

I only drive/know automatic so thanks for clearly explaining how manual offers more control to the driver. I'm curious on your thoughts on the future of electric vehicles. When do you think they will become mainstream?

[@ConquerDriving]

I'm not sure, but I guess there will be more electric cars plus an alternative, maybe something that is not currently offered. I think synthetic fuels will be for the enthusiast. Maybe some hydrogen also for countries that have an excess supply of power that they could store as hydrogen.

[@RedPanda_______]

@@ConquerDriving Interesting thoughts! Thank you for answering!

[@ruthless5533]

Do some research, you'll find that electric vehicles are more harmful than any petrol/diesel. Also, imagine having to leave in the middle of the night in an emergency, maybe your mother has been rushed to hospital and you can't leave because your car is charging. It's ridiculous

[@m2heavyindustries378]

@@ruthless5533 What a boomer argument, go and fetch the nurse at your retirement home to do some research. Your best argument is "your mother hospital something", really?

[@ruthless5533]

@@m2heavyindustries378 the point still stands regardless of reason. Imagine being rendered stuck at home because your vehicle isn't ready for you when you need it.

[@Dudleymiddleton]

As an HGV driver, most lorries especially the big ones have automatic transmission, mainly to save fuel as the "robot" thing in it short changes the gears in the green band to minimise revs. But they are a pain in the arse to "feather" them in manoevering to loading bays, they lurch and jump and hiss and puff, but oh well that's life!

[@FlyingFun.]

Been driving for over 40 years and in that time ive driven 3 automatics, hated them apart for just cruising around maybe. I was probably a faster than average driver and the extra control at speed using engine braking and clutch control for precise turning in etc at corners is enough to make me stick to manual boxes. I never really drove the autos enough to really notice the other things you pointed out, but at slow speed the clutch IS the control so NOT having one feels like having virtually no control over the car.

[@Jehannum2000]

On my automatic 2009 Astra I never had any issues with jerkiness at low speed. It was always perfectly smooth, and I mean perfectly. As for speed control, it did the jerkiness thing twice in 10 years. At all other times it has been excellent. I don't drive like a twitchy boy-racer so I suppose that helps.

[@Wildmutationblu]

I have been driving an automatic for over 10 years now due to me having a nerve disease which affects the muscle in my legs. I feel that I have less control when slowing the vehicle down at traffic lights as I used to down change the gears, which slows the car down more effectively.

[@V3DT]

As someone in the US I've never knew auto manuals were that common in parts of the word, I've only heard of them a few times, mostly on a few less common luxury / sports cars, never have driven in one. Most cars in the US are torque converter automatics, 2nd would be CVT. I do own a normal manual though & I would agree I feel like I have more control than in my other car with a normal torque converter auto. I can even feel the engine braking varying slightly with a torque converter as the trans shifts down & it doesn't always shift at the best times. sometimes they like to kick down when I only want to slowly speed up, or sometimes you want to get moving fast & it feels like there is a delay before it finally decides it wants to drop down a gear. I like that solid connection feeling you get in a manual & knowing for sure how the car is going to pull based what gear I put it in & how much engine braking I'll have when I let off the gas.

[@QuietLittleMouse]

I don’t find automatic too difficult to control, but then again, I’ve never driven a manual. I passed my Red Ps test in a 2019 Haval SUV (bought when it was new and drove it while on my Ls as well) and while in does have a smidgen of turbo lag when it’s cold , I’ve driven it enough to be used to it. I haven’t had it really stop accelerating when the robot is changing gears. On the topic of creeping, my SUV is fantastic at creeping. Very interesting to see another perspective though! Thanks for the video Richard!

[@demagab]

You're probably describing the standard type of automatic, which doesn't have a clutch and a robot controlling it, but it has a torque converter and some solenoids to change the oil flow to engage the various clutches that determine the selected range

[@arthurterrington8477]

Another issue is that with deceleration, autos wait until the revs have dropped to engine idle speed before changing down; this means less engine braking, you have to use brakes more (noticeable more when going downhill) and greater brake pad wear. Plus it means if you reapply acceleration, the transmission is in wrong (too high) gear to pull away smoothly and has to downshift. I gather some auto transmissions don't have ECU cut-off under deceleration, so there's potentially more fuel use too.

[@surena9451]

With CVTs I believe there is a middle ground. In my multitronic audi I can coast down with the engine at 1k rpm using no fuel while the speed reduces as the pulleys and chain change the "gear" ratio. If you do this at the right time like when exiting a highway, you won't be disturbing incoming traffic behind you as you still technically have a "high gear" but as the ratio changes, so does your speed. In some cases where I had some luck I didn't even need to use brakes when at the end of the highway exit ramp the light would be green.

[@Cheesus-Sliced]

depends on the vehicle and settings. Many modern vehicles will detect brake usage and downshift, keeping the gear lower and revs higher until the acceleration pedal is pressed again.

[@stanleychen3298]

I spend a lot of time driving the traditional 4AT transmission from Toyota, a standard torque converter auto and honestly the slow speed crawling problem is not an issue. That issue will mostly happen on iMTs, AMTs, and DCTs as far as I can tell where there is an actuated clutch. ATs are okay for normal driving but takes out a lot of the fun factor, unless you have really good ATs such as the Mazda 6 speed, ZF-8 speed in newer BMWs or even the one found in the latest G80 M3s those are also really fun and hardcore automatics.

[@ConquerDriving]

The ZF8 is a brilliant gearbox, expensive though.

[@jakezxz1352]

If any learners are interested, you can use what are called "Semi-Automatics" with an Automatic only license - Cars with automatic gearboxes with a manual mode - This is because the law relates to the use and operation of a physical clutch pedal, since this requires additional training to learn. I completed my driving test in August and went with Automatic - I'm not really that bothered about driving to be honest as I know most of the driving I'll be doing is commuting and trips out so for me, I was just wanting to "get on the road" - Perhaps in a few years I'll do manual as I do love cars, just not commuting haha

[@Enjay001]

My current daily driver is an automatic. Loads of people told me that once I got used to the auto, I would find it much better and there would be no going back to manual for me. After a year of auto driving, I still much prefer manuals. I feel much more connected to the driving experience and have much better control over the car. It means that the car does what I want when I tell it to. Fortunately, I also have access to other (manual) cars. So, I can drive one of them when I want to. However, the writing is on the wall for manual cars. With EVs and with automatics being on the rise anyway, the days of the manual being the default in the UK are surely numbered.

[@jannekiljunen6784]

Hill assists are by no means the sole domain of automatics. Essentially it just detects you're on a hill and holds the brake for you a bit after you raise your foot, I had one in my manual Kia.

[@therealtom]

As a young American, I did not know these kinds of automatics existed. I was only aware of torque converters, dual clutch, and cvt. This kind seems like it would be torture to drive. My dad's car is a manual and I prefer to drive it because it's fun but I don't mind mine with a torque converter.

[@chriskonte1909]

It indeed is but especially cars with less than 100hp needed at least an automatic as an option tho a conventional torque con. auto woud be to heavy need to much fuel and is to expensive when you have cars with a base price under 12.000$ back in the day many people that wanted an automatic wanted to have a cheap "alternative". These semi-autos don't need to much fuel, there not that heavy as well and they were around 700-900$ as an option you had a 5 or even 6-speed gearbox (Smart used 6-speed) instead of an old 4 speed auto which sounds good on paper but the driving experience is indeed not the best. You should go off the exerator to have a smooth shift but then again it's slower than a normal manual and still a little jirky. I'm happy that CVTs became the way they're dual clutches are more popular and the torque con. autos became more efficient. Because noone should drive a semi-auto in a modern 2022 car.

[@ConquerDriving]

Dual clutch systems can also be jerky at low speed.

[@therealcarlmarti]

@@ConquerDriving yes, in particular Ford's DCT that was sold in a lot of Fiestas and Focuses stateside. Since TC automatics are by far the most common transmission here, many people hated the DCT. To make matters worse, Ford programmed in a lot of clutch slip to imitate a torque converter which tended to cause problems down the road. I rented a DCT Focus a while back and found it drove better in manual mode, and blipping the throttle like a manual as you describe.

[@squadmeta]

I think a lot of the less control thing comes from the bad habit of using engine braking to slow rather than the brakes when driving manual, and then not shifting down to hold speed on steeper downhills when driving auto. Appreciate your guide on box types, I much prefer a slush box for town use and DSG type for everything else, I find the DSG types laggy on initial pull off which can be a pain when grabbing a slot on a roundabout for example. That Citroen box seems pretty unrefined right?

[@ConquerDriving]

It's definitely not the best but then it's not the worst either.

[@Bishox]

DSG is a dual clutch , quite different from a single clutch

[@hyri3188]

If you want an automatic as daily driver, get a cvt. It’s the most boring transmission but is so simple to use and understand. Plus its smooth as hell to use :D

[@SVT000]

This is so true, ive always had a car with a manual transmission, i have now a car with dsg, i also think that i have less control over the car.

[@Kisame663]

Passed my driving test 3 years ago on heavy goods manual. I've own two cars since then, a 2011 toyota vitz rs as a 5 speed manual and currently a 2016 toyota vitz automatic, it drives me crazy to drive the automatic to be honest, if I want to overtake from a slower speed I have to drop to the lowest gear so I have some throttle response or spend ages on the other side of the road trying to build up speed to overtake. In manual I just drop to second or third and I'm on my merry way doing any overtaking I need to do.

[@dufonrafal]

All of that is very specific to this style of gearbox.

[@ConquerDriving]

I mention other gearboxes in the video.

[@revealingreflections9338]

One big problem with automatics is that they're reactive, not proactive. Go down a hill and the auto will go up gears but if you're about to start climbing a steep hill the motor doesn't know until it's faced with a loss of power to keep the speed up. In a manual you can drop a gear as you approach the bottom of the hill so you're ready for the call for more power on the following climb. I had a similar problem driving an automatic into a head wind. I would get speed up and the gear would change up, but then there wasn't enough power to keep pushing against the wind, so the gear would go down again, and the cycle would repeat. Give me a manual any day.

[@absboodoo]

I just love the idea that I can push start my car if I ever need to.

[@MG-ot2yr]

I always feel like less control when I drive an automatic, one obvious difference is a manual you can skip gears, an automatic can only go through them sequentially.

[@i3d3]

I had a 2003 automatic diesel suv (Jatco 5 speed auto torque converter transmission) and its first gear no gas, it'd drive around 5-7 mph in like 2 seconds. With the sharp/jerky brakes the car had, it was very hard to drive it smoothly below 5 mph at parking lots.

[@rubes19]

i am learning to drive in my parent's electric car and i love the control you can achieve with the regenerative braking. i couldn't imagine driving anything else !

[@ConquerDriving]

I enjoy electric cars also.

[@f0rtuzer0]

The clue is in the word "automatic" ! By definition, you have less control if the car is in automatic. Maybe question should have been is it safer/more dangerous.

[@NoContextRDH]

I have a new generation BMW 1 series and I have to say the automatic gearbox in that is unbelievable. The control it gives you over a manual is incredible, power delivery is instant and gear changes are buttery smooth. Although it is a £30k car and a BMW so at that price point you should expect quality

[@ConquerDriving]

It's true there are some very good autos out there. Some bad ones also though.

[@jollyjohn6403]

Is it necessary to take the foot off the accelerator when shifting the paddles? What happens otherwise?

[@StrangeTamer26]

I wish i could find a automatic only driving channel, i cherish the odd ones i find