Is there a big difference between an Auto and a manual tranny. I always see post about the topic but I never ready understood what the differences are. I do know that with an auto a computer does the stiffing and with a manual you do the stiffing; but what is the advantage or disadvantage of the two? So if anyone could shed some light on the topic it would be highly appreciated.


Thanks in advance

 

Automatic transmissions are heavier and less efficient at getting power to the wheels than a manual transmission. Auto tranny drivetrains typically end up losing about 25% of the engine's power in the process of transmitting that power to the wheels. In comparison, a manual transmission is usually around 50lb or so lighter than an auto tranny, and manual tranny drivetrains typically lose only about 15% of the engine's power in the process of transmitting the power to the wheels.

Manual: 222HP x 0.85 = 188 fwhp (front wheel horsepower)
Automatic: 222HP x 0.75 = 166 fwhp

So a car with a manual transmission will get a good bit more power to the wheels while also being lighter and that makes manual trannied cars perform much better than an otherwise equivalent automatic car.

An auto tranny is quite obviously very easy to drive since all of the shifting is done for you and this is very handy in heavy traffic. But this convenience comes at the cost of lost performance and responsiveness and "fun factor".

A manual tranny gives you better performance and responsiveness and is much more fun to drive for enthusiasts that like to enjoy their driving, but if you're stuck in a 20 mile bumper-to-bumper backup then it can be a pain since you're the one doing all of the shifting.

I have an auto now, but I sorta regret it. My next car will be a stick shift for sure

For better technical descriptions on the inner workings of the different transmissions, just go to www.howstuffworks.com

 

One other thing to mention is that Autos typically have one less gear so they have taller gears which can hurt acceleration.

 

SteVTEC

Thank you very much.

I also have an auto now and will be going to manual with my next car.

 

not all cars have such weak auto trannies.

The camaro started producing all cars in auto ('95 I think) because their auto trannies were FASTER than the manual. It all depends on the car. There is a BIG difference with the max though.

Also the more luxury a car the softer the shifting. This makes your auto shifts slower buy smoother. (thats where don's VB mod comes in)

 

The Chevy Camaro is still available in a manual or an automatic and has been for well over a decade. It is available with a 5 speed manual in the base model and a 6 speed in Z28. The 6 speed is noticably quicker than the automatic, but only if you know how to drive a manual transmission agressively (true with any car). GM does make highly rated automatic transmissions though.

 

Wish I could have remembered where I read no manuals for the camaro. Oh well, maybe its not true.

 

you mean..other than the fact that you have to manually shift one and not the other?

 

The difference between an Automatic and the Manual tranny is convenience. If you talk on a mobile phone, drink a cup of coffee in the morning, play with the stereo and drive in traffic all day then an automatic is nice to have. But, if your into juggling and driving, get a Manual for better performance.

 

Physically, there are quite a few differences. First, the Auto uses a torque converter and flexplate instead of a clutch and flywheel that the Manual uses. They both server the same purpose, but work in completely different ways. Since the torque converter is filled with transmission fluid, it is much heavier than it's manual counterpart the clutch, which is a "dry" device. They both are responsible to transmitting power from the flexplate/flywheel to the transmission's input shaft. Also, most Automatics take more fluid than their manual counterparts since in a manual, the fluid is used only to lubricate the gears and internal moving parts. In the Automatic, the tranny fluid is used to actuate the gears and lubricate. This is what accounts for most of the weight differences between the two.