The argument between automatic vs. manual durability has been ongoing for quite some years now. With both sides having valid points, let us quickly delve into this debate and finally find out which transmission is more durable.

Car enthusiasts who own manual vehicles believe their cars are more durable than their automatic alternatives and vice versa. Automated vehicles are easy to drive and operate while manual transmissions require the driver to completely understand how the system works and how to operate it correctly.

Car transmission transfers torque from your engine to your wheels, through the driveshaft and the differential. It also gives the driver more control over your vehicle’s speed and engine by ensuring the engine runs efficiently in the optimum RPM band. Manual cars are becoming more extinct as the automobile industry advances.

Let’s first define how this two transmission systems operate.

Manual transmission

According to popular belief, you are not a good driver if you do not know how to operate a manual vehicle. In a manual transmission, power flows from the engine to the wheels via the gearbox. With the use of a driver-operated clutch and a simple gear set, the transmission allows the driver to control and manage the torque and speed, necessary to turn the wheels in various driving conditions. The higher the speed, the higher the gear required. A driver has to pay keen attention to the engine’s RPM to understand when to shift the gear by using the stick shift and when to use the clutch, preventing premature shifting, which can cause irreparable damage to your engine.

Pros

  • The driver has more control over the speed of the car
  • It is more fun and engaging driving a manual car
  • It is less expensive to maintain
  • Transmission repairs are not that tedious

Cons

  • It is difficult doing hill ascents in traffic jams
  • The learning curve for a manual car is longer

Automatic transmission

Automatic vehicles are quite popular in most urban cities. They are easier to use when compared to manual vehicles since you do not have to shift the gears manually. These vehicles also do not have a clutch pedal. Once you put the transmission on Drive, release the brake pedal and press on the accelerator pedal, the automatic vehicle will begin moving. Many car owners find automated vehicles easy to drive and reliable since they change gears automatically.

Pros

  • It is easier to drive in traffic jams
  • Has a short learning curve
  • Smoother and quicker transmissions
  • Offers better gas mileage
  • Most of modern vehicles are now automatic

Cons

  • Hefty transmissions repair costs
  • Not fun to drive if you desire more power

How does a semi-automatic transmission work?

Semi-automatic transmissions are manual transmissions without the clutch pedal. This transmission system uses the engine’s kinetic energy to turn the wheels by rotating various gears and the input shaft. In such transmission systems, the clutch exists between the gearbox and the engine, enabling the gearbox to engage, disengage or partially disengage, depending on the engine’s interference.

Semi-automatic transmissions use a set of processors and actuators, instead of the clutch pedal and gear lever in manual transmissions. They also have a control unit (computer system) that controls various actions, including the speed of the car, engine torque, and accelerator pedal position, among many others. The primary function of the control unit is to determine the direction and time of gear shifting.

Once the control unit detects a need for a gear change, it engages the electronic processors and actuators to disengage the semi-automatic transmission from the engine, activating gear shifting and disengaging the clutch to re-establish the connection between the transmission and the engine.

You may be wondering then, what is the point of owning a semi-automatic vehicle? Well, semi-automatic transmissions allow the driver to have the convenience and comfort found in automatic transmissions, while also enjoying some of the benefits of a manual transmission, such as gear shifting and transmission braking.

Pros of semi-automatic transmission

  • Semi-automatic transmissions offer drivers an easier time and a better driving experience when shifting gears. The gear shifting process is smooth and occurs quite quickly. New drivers who do not want to learn driving via manual transmission are advised to use a semi-automatic first. It assists them in learning when to shift gears and how to listen to the engine’s RPMs, without needing to disconnect the clutch.
  • Another advantage of semi-automatic transmissions is that they are better for the environment as there is no energy loss if there is slippage in the torque converters – this is also happens in manual transmissions.

Cons

  • Semi-automatic transmissions offer an unforgettable driving experience, despite its few disadvantages. Semi-automatic cars are more expensive as compared to manual vehicles. The electronic components that make up the semi-automatic transmission system are more sophisticated to manufacture; thus, an increase in the price that the car buyer pays.
  • Similarly, semi-automatic transmissions tend to fail and frequently malfunction as compared to manual transmissions. The transmission itself does not have to experience an issue for the system to malfunction. As a result, the cost to repair such parts is very expensive that their replacement is cheaper.

What is the purpose of paddle shifters?

Paddle shifters, also known as flappy paddles, are usually attached to the back of the car’s steering wheel, or mounted on the steering column itself, in semi-automatic transmissions. They allow drivers to electrically shift their semi-automatic transmission system by pulling on the paddle itself. In other words, they simulate a clutchless manual transmission

In most vehicles, the paddle on the right upshifts (changes the gear to a higher one when speeding up) and the paddle on the left downshifts (shifts to a lower gear when slowing down). In semi-automatic transmissions, one set of clutches control the odd gears (1, 3, 5, 7) while the other set controls even gears (2, 4, 6, 8).

How do paddle shifters work?

Paddle shifters can be engaged at any time when the transmission is set to “Drive”. By tapping or pulling the levers, you upshift or downshift, making the transmission to hold the chosen gear for a few seconds and then revert to its automatic nature.

Vehicles with paddle shifters have a different steering wheel as compared to vehicles with other transmission systems, giving room for paddle shifters on both sides of the wheel. As you pull the levers to shift the gears, a corresponding number flashes up on the dashboard, indicating your selected gear. Drivers can also opt to pull the shifter twice to work up or down the gears more quickly.

Which lasts longer between automatic vs. manual gearboxes?

When buying a vehicle, especially for the first time, it is common to question which type of transmission you would like your new vehicle to have. A manual transmission, also known as a gearbox, gives the driver full control of the vehicle’s engine while an automated one does most of the driving for the driver due to a set of complex computers and processors.

For people who love control, the mechanical connection available in manual vehicles when changing gears provides satisfaction in itself. The process of shifting gears and pressing on the clutch pedal based on the sound and feel of the vehicle also allows one to feel as if in a race car. The level of added involvement in the driving process is a worthwhile experience for any proficient manual driver.

However, if you simply want to go from point A to point B, an automatic vehicle will do the trick. When driving automatic transmissions, the vehicle is responsible for changing the gears automatically, and there is no clutch pedal. They are ideal for traffic-concentrated areas due to their anti-stall nature, unlike manual vehicles.

Automated vehicles have a torque converter that transfers engine power to the wheels of the vehicles. This hydraulic system in auto transmissions changes the gears by itself; thus, eliminating the clutch pedal. Generally, automated cars are more expensive to buy compared to their manual equivalents due to their computerized features and accessories. You will pay approximately $1000 more when buying an automatic car than when buying a manual one.

Are manual transmissions cheaper to maintain?

An automatic transmission has more sophisticated features than a manual one. It consists of complex computer systems and processors, which are expensive to buy and repair. Constant use of automated vehicles requires regular maintenance checks, which can be quite expensive even for the simplest of tasks such as oil change.

Most manual vehicles implement basic and non-complicated mechanical operating systems that can be replaced correctly in the comfort of your garage. General maintenance acts such as changing various fluids do not need the attention of your mechanic since you can do it yourself. Similarly, buying the repair parts of a manual vehicle is relatively cheaper and easier to find than buying one for an automated transmission.

Unfortunately, if you do not know how to operate your manual vehicle efficiently, you may end up wearing out your clutch and reducing the lifespan of your transmission. If you do not know how to change your clutch without visiting the repair shop, it may cost you even more than fixing an automatic vehicle, especially if it a regular occurrence. However, on an average comparison, the cost of maintaining a manual vehicle is relatively lower than that of an automatic car.

Automatic vs. manual car safety

For novice drivers, automatic cars are safer to drive than manual cars. In automatic vehicles, drivers do not have to do much as there is no stick shift requiring you to shift gears, nor is there a clutch pedal. As a result, it reduces the chances of the driver to get into an accident as the chances of them losing control of their vehicle are minimal.

Automatic vehicles are more comfortable to maneuver as their gearboxes have some safety mechanisms inculcated in them by automakers. Chances of mishandling the clutch and getting stuck somewhere are absolutely zero. For instance, when on a slope and you put your transmission on Parking, your vehicle cannot roll downhill, regardless of whether you leave it unattended or not.

According to studies, drivers of manual vehicles are said to experience significantly more stress when driving than those of automatic vehicles. In fact, manual transmission drivers experience stress and anxiety that is comparable to that of passengers.

Manual vehicles allow the driver to have more control over the vehicle than automatic cars. Automatic car drivers are more likely to pay less attention to the road when driving, causing accidents. Driver inattention contributes to 25% of road accidents. Actually, many manual drivers are of the view that the ease of driving automatic transmissions tends to make such drivers view road safety in such a relaxed manner; thus, do things that they usually would not do while driving. Manual vehicles make it easier to speed up and slow down when needed.

Why is a manual transmission better for racing?

Traditional automatic transmissions felt more sluggish and accelerated far much slower than their manual counterparts. As such, it gave rise to the belief that manual vehicles were faster than automatic cars. However, automatic cars accelerate faster than manual cars, because the driver does not need to press on the clutch pedal to shift gears.

However, professional drivers of manual vehicles, such as race car drivers, know precisely when their engine requires a gear change, even before it is time to shift the gears. By predicting their driving conditions, they take advantage by generating more power and speed and shifting gears, when the engine needs it.

In racing competitions, you want to produce more power and speed than your opponent. With an automatic vehicle, you have to wait for the gearbox to automatically change the gears and boost your torque and power, which may translate into sluggish racing performance. In manual vehicles, a race car driver has full control of the engine’s ability to produce power and rotational force, ensuring achievement of maximum speed in the shortest time possible.

Manual transmissions give the driver more control, in terms of power and speed, when driving, when compared to traditional automatic vehicles. As a result, automakers came up with a solution for the pursuit of pure speed and control that the racing community required. Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) and automated manual transmissions are better racing options than the traditional manual and automatic transmissions. CVT vehicles are the standard gearbox for many modern cars as they deliver incomparably fast performance and excellent fuel economy.

Can an automatic beat a manual car?

An automatic vehicle accelerates quicker than a manual one. When starting an automatic car, you do not have to press on the clutch pedal and let go of the gas pedal, ensuring the engine is in proximity with the torque’s sweet spot.

Automatic cars do not have gear shifting since it does this automatically with the help of computers and processors. As such, the energy from the engine transfers to the steering wheel as quickly and smoothly as possible. Therefore, this quick energy transfer facilitates the fast acceleration in automatic vehicles; hence, the possibility of automatic cars beating a manual car.

However, in races, drivers are accustomed to feeling the speed and manipulating the engine to produce maximum speed and rotational force. They shift gears with excessive ease and efficiency. Racing car acceleration depends entirely on a driver’s skill to swiftly change gears without reducing the car’s momentum as opposed to the vehicle’s ability itself.

Conclusion

In general, the average consumer prefers an automatic transmission over a manual one because of its easy drivability and controllability. People who prefer urban driving are better off with automated cars, while those who travel for long distances and enjoy driving on fast highways tend to enjoy driving manual vehicles. In automatic vs. manual durability, manual vehicles are a better option if you are looking for the cheaper alternative.

FAQ

Are automatic cars more expensive to insure than manual ones?

There is some difference when it comes to car insurance policies between automatic and manual cars. For one, the automatic cars gearbox take more time and are more expensive to maintain. This may lead to an increase in insurance premiums as opposed to the manual one.

Can I switch from manual to automatic transmission?

Automatic transmissions have more parts than the manual one and thereby switching to one is more costly and labor intensive. For the manual transmission all you have to watch out is shifting gears and clutch. In automatic transmissions you have hydraulic, mechanical and electronic instruments. In most cars the cost for a manual transmission is around $1,500 to $3,000 while that of the automatic will set you back $2,000 to $4,000. This figures are higher for luxury vehicles.

Are automatic cars more prone to accidents?

The general myth is that if you have a car with gears and clutch then you have better control of the car. With a manual car it is believed you have less room for error but the reality is car accident are more a factor of how the driver drives than it is about the kind of car they are driving. Distractions from smartphones cause more accidents than anything else.

Steven Reilly is a qualified mechanic and his passion for cars goes beyond just the technical aspects. He is also an amateur racer and all round car enthusiast. When he is not driving them, he can often be found in his garage under the hood of a rare model. Steven Reilly has lost track of the number of hours he has spent setting up his fine collection of rebuilt models. He believes that cars can provide a constructive and fun opportunity to teach the youth important life skills. In line with this, he is developing a community outreach program, potentially dubbed ‘Cars for change'.