Many people will be looking to purchase a new car this year. Aside from the right color and that fancy sound system, there are certain decisions that make a difference in the kind of automobile purchase consumers will be making. One of these important decisions is the type of transmission to look out for when considering what kind of car to drive. This has many consumers wondering if a manual or automatic transmission is right for their driving needs.
Ease of Use
When it comes to the ease of use of a transmission, an automatic transmission is perhaps the easiest kind of transmission to work with for the majority of drivers. One reason is because it simply does not take much effort to drive a car with an automatic transmission. However, some people actually prefer driving a manual, because they believe that this is more like how it should feel to drive a car. Sure, it takes some getting used to, but some people learn to maneuver a stick and work a clutch as easily as they can drive a car with an automatic transmission.
Longevity
As a rule of thumb, a manual transmission will typically last longer than an automatic transmission. The problem that is often faced with people driving a manual, however, is that some people are bad with using a clutch. Those who happen to be excellent with a clutch tend to find that their transmission will last many hundreds of thousands of miles. If not, then a driver can get help repairing their transmission at Huntington Beach Transmissions.
Fuel Efficiency
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the traditional claim was that cars with manual transmissions were viewed as being better on using less fuel. This kept a lot more drivers interested in driving a stick to keep fuel costs lower. In modern times, however, many advanced automatic transmission-based cars are proving to be competitive in their ability to conserve gas. No longer does the manual set the bar for fuel efficiency today.
Smoother Ride
When it comes to the choice between a manual and an automatic, some people are simply going to get a smoother ride out of an automatic. This is especially true for people who are not good to a clutch. On the other hand, driving a manual gives you more of the experience of being in tune with how gears and speeds are changing under the control of your own body movements. This can help a person build a more consistent rhythm in how they drive that keeps them engaged behind the wheel and focused on what is going on as they feel their way through one gear setting to the next.
The choice of a manual may seem strange to some, but to others it’s actually preferable over an automatic. It all depends on your driving style and what you value in a transmission. Talk to a local dealership or car shop to learn more about your particular car, needs, and how getting a manual or automatic may affect your driving experience.