Manual vs Automatic: Which Saves Most Fuel? How Modern Gearboxes Revolutionized Economy

[@JayRides-ul9uf]

My parents have always driven manuals. We have over 300 000kms on many of them. None of them ever given us a problem aside from a clutch. Yes the modern automatics will give you a few more mpg. I will sacrafice a few mpgs to have the rock solid reliabilty of a manual though.

[@Laser100man]

When auto gearboxes fail you spend more than the money you've saved on fuel for repairs. That's why I prefer driving my manual transmission car vs my automatic one. Clutch replacement can be extended quite a long way into the future if you drive like a human being and not "race" all the time - something that I personally don't do, naturally. Edit: autos are also far less involving in the drive - less fun, therefore. They are more for the relaxed character, while manuals are much more engaging and fun to drive. That counts a lot for me, personally, being 36 years old.

[@chriskucia8348]

With many marques, it's when, not if, the automatic transmission will fail. And they always seem to fail catastrophically...

[@nego1erry]

Saving a few MPGs isnt worth the trade of repairing a failed automatic transmition, something that it will evebtually happend. Specially on CVT.

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Depends on what box a zf5 or zf6 is very easy to repair and parts are cheap all they really require is a service and the bridge seals and solenoid sleeves changing £200 in parts tops and easy to DIY along with a fluid and filter swap. Mines on 184k miles xhp stage 2 mapped and the engine is mapped too putting out 500ftlbs of tourqe no issue at all. Manual on the other hand if it’s something with a DMF the clutch and flywheel is £1200 alone

[@nathanbowers6364]

I'm a lorry driver and at a previous job when the first automatic arrived, we were told "an automatic wont make a good driver better, but will make a bad driver a bit better." Where I work now, when I drive any autos, I usually drive them in manual mode and get better mpg.

[@kingduckford]

I still drive full size Ford cars and light trucks from the 1980's, and the history is absolutely true. The automatic 3 speeds have a terrible time with fuel economy because of the lack of gears, and a lot of acceleration is lost as well. Some of my cars have the four speed automatic, the AOD which was just a Ford C4 transmission with an extra overdrive added on. Better fuel economy with overdrive, but many times you find yourself shutting it off and relying on it as a three speed once again. They never shift when you want them to, they sometimes upshift when you don't expect it, they do things that will frustrate you, especially as someone who drives manuals. I have a 5 speed manual in my 88 F150, and it helps beat the other vehicles in my fleet of the same weight. Not only do you have more gears to take advantage of, you get better gear selection in general. Both make a big difference.

[@lint8391]

On some specific cars, the auto version gives better mpg. On some the manual's better. I check out real mpg figures with a bit of search engine research. And base part of my buying decision on that.

[@4BillC]

I have a 2014 Audi A4 (my wife's car) which is currently broken but... It has the ZF 8 speed automatic, it's a fantastic transmission! Not a dual clutch but shifts are quick and crispy! I also have a 2001 A4 that makes more hp and considerably lighter (her's is tuned) but when the light turns green it takes every bit of power I have to pull away from her. That automatic just keeps it pulling!

[@pawlie3419]

How is a 14 plate a4 broken? I almost brought a mk2 TTS last week and was reading horror stories and researching them and decided to stick with my 20 year old celica, which in 6 years, has had minimal maintenance, never broken down, driven past countless 3-4 year old mercs and Audis on the side of the road. I’m curious, what went wrong with the a4? Sounds like my decision was the right one to stick with my old toyota :)

[@CorkVanDenHandel]

Absolutely accurate. Modern automatics definitely can be as or more efficient than manuals, and less polluting. But they lack soul, and their increased complexity could result in reliability issues in the future. I'll stick with my old T56.

[@iamjimfan]

I don't care. I just prefer manual however it is 😅

[@Umski]

I've driven a manual all my life, until last year when I switched to a Volvo V70 with the 8-speed auto made by Aisin (also used by BMW and Toyota I believe) - in principle it has similar economy to the manual 6-sp - it can achieve 50-60mpg but only once the gearbox is warm and the torque converter clutch locks and it behaves more like a manual with automatic switching - I often find I'd like it to change up sooner as I might in a manual at low speeds (1-3 are really just very low ratio gears) - that said the benefits of not constantly having to change gear was the reason I decided to go auto. Ultimately gearboxes are a relic of the fossil fuel age anyway due to the inherent need to pair them with ICE powered vehicles so it's largely irrelevant. Funnily I had to move my old 6-sp S2000 the other day and completely forgot to depress the clutch as I had my right foot on the brake and muscle memory has already taken over 😁

[@thunderbug8640]

Not quite. Transmissions will be around for a long time yet. Not only is ICE not going anywhere with the inherent long term sustainability issues of EVs and the ever-increasing production of alt fuels but EVs will also begin to use them to eek out more range of a smaller battery as a way to try and mitigate said sustainability issues. Studies show you can get 10% more range by having a transmission in an EV, ofc the trade-off is increased cost and complexity on top of an already more expensive EV.

[@Umski]

@ they won’t be manuals in any case 😉

[@MrYas18]

Nice short videos recently - I like it

[@ridehead8771]

We own both a manual petrol vs auto diesel, in short journeys it's almost the same but long journeys our 8 speed auto diesel that's almost quiet whisper at 70mph, no comparison the auto wins! Can't beat diesel on long drives, 70mpg is no sweat.

[@paulgilraine3127]

I have a Volvo v70 with 180k on the clock ,I've looked atfer the car very well since i got it. Its an automatic 6 speed and i drop the transmission oil every other time i change the engine oil and i do that twice a year as i do a good bit of driving , ive never had one problem with the car in 10 years and it still runs like new . automatic gearboxs are pretty good as long as they are looked after like anything else on a car

[@danielshinerock1526]

Automatic not as good as manual. No soul etc. That is why F1 as well as supercars, hypercars and virtually all proper fast cars use paddleshift. It is a faster change. Almost all the cars that have broke 7.00 minutes on the Nurburgring in the last 10 years are not manual. I can appreciate that people like and prefer manual. Going forward I would say hang on to your manual cars because 10 years from now next to none will be sold from new.

[@gsvincze]

What about torque converter lock-up?

[@angelamartim8337]

1:40 Is it true that the speed at which you shift may also affect fuel economy in manual gearbox?

[@adrianvella7661]

My 1.5yr old 208 100bhp EAT8 is more economical in manual mode than auto mode, we do have lots of traffic though. But auto is so comfy

[@davidellis8141]

Always had manual. 2lt diesel 60+mpg 6 gears close ratio gear box. I skip gears going up 4 to 6 and down depending on speed usually coming to junction 6 to 3 depending on speed don’t labour engine revs in the right band. Don’t take any notice of cars suggested speed as find it a bit low.

[@ericharrison742]

As you've pointed out, the technology has, um, shifted things (pun intended). But my 6M car cost about 1,000 USD less than an automatic. Another advantage is since the manual transmission market in the US is virtually non-existent, my transmission doubles as an anti-theft device! That said, I know I'll take a beating on resale. And there's the ultimate punishment of stop-and-go traffic.

[@torquecars]

I love a good pun! Nice one.

[@theoneheretosty]

Automatic gearbox ratios used to be really tall, I think thats why manuals are or where more economical.

[@FreeKanal]

I just prefer manual because it is more fun and less boring. Also manual gearboxes are often more reliable than automatic and less expensive in repairs.

[@davidviner4932]

I'm not actually driving unless I control the gearbox

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Manual gearbox for car guys. Auto for people who don't know how to enjoy driving.

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

99% if automatics have a longer final drive that’s why they’re more efficient

[@marksmith8663]

Yes auto so slow and always in the wrong gear . My partner had a operation on her foot so temporary bought a bmw auto still have the car . It’s always in correct gear my vw van has near 300k miles DSG still the same gear box can be a bit clunky 1st to 2nd at slow speed tho . Might be the plates worn and making the timing slightly out . But nothing like the 1990s 3speed auto poorer mpg .

[@martinsv9183]

Was there even a 3 speed in the 90's lol... MB came out with their 5 speed auto in 1990.

[@marksmith8663]

@@martinsv9183 👍yes. I know. It’s what meant .