Car Guru: Stop Downshift In Manual Transmissions

[ALS]

Little known Tid Bit Humvee's are automatics because the kids joining the military today have no idea how to drive a manual transmission vehicle.

My brother had a 1962 Sunbeam Alpine in high school and college. Guys it came with a crank to start the engine if the battery died.

Tonight one of my employees husbands was telling me that the dealers around us don't even want to consider his 2003 Dodge truck for a trade in because it has a five speed. If it was an automatic they would snap it up in a minute.

I would love to have a manual car in the garage again. From 1979 through 2009 I always had at least one manual transmission car. My Volvo 960 was available in Europe with a five speed but North America was limited to an automatic only.

[Rackster]

When I started hypermiling in my Ranger, I wished it was a manual (was trying to break the 30 mpg barrier). After reading about other Ranger owners and their FE, I came to conclude that the AT in the Ranger was probably the better option/configuration. That being said, I was never in the mind to shift the AT into Neutral to coast but wondered if it would help significantly. Only safe to do with a MT in my opinion.

So I do have a MT in my garage, and when I took it out this Spring, I got the opportunity to do some coasting. In my opinion, it makes a big difference in the MPGs that can be squeezed out. And, it's more fun driving for me. While the AT's have become much more efficient, I think in some configurations, the MT is still the best bet for MPGs.

[EVuser]

Originally Posted by thunderstruck

This is one of the funniest stories I've ever read about a couple of carjackers. http://www.insidesyracuse.com/commun...ic=6142.0;wap2

On more than one occasion I have had the folks at the tire shop call and tell me that my EV won't start.

Fortunately there is a factory "how to sticker" on the driver sun visor I can tell them to review. Hasn't happened in a year or more so I guess they are passing along a new skill.

[WriConsult]

Only if (or, realistically, when) it's a HSD-type hybrid will I give up my MTs. My wife feels the same way. As long as it has gears to shift, I need to be able to have immediate, instant control over which gear it's in, and perhaps more importantly, whether it's in gear.

ATs are now often as efficient on the EPA test cycles, and probably in the hands of the typical driver. Where they come out with higher numbers is either due to being a CVT or having more optimal top gearing. But for the hypermiler, the mpg potential of an MT absolutely blows away what an AT can do.

[lightfoot]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

ATs are now often as efficient on the EPA test cycles, and probably in the hands of the typical driver. Where they come out with higher numbers is either due to being a CVT or having more optimal top gearing. But for the hypermiler, the mpg potential of an MT absolutely blows away what an AT can do.

This is because the manufacturers rejigger the final drive ratios to make them that way (e.g. Honda Fit, Subarus, etc):
- they think MT drivers want sporty accel
- if the AT tests higher on the EPA it's leverage to get buyers to pay the ca $1000 upcharge for an AT

You can't FAS an AT (at least not these days), couldn't bump start it if you did. I have to drive to Boston today in the Insight-I and will probably FAS >50 times on my way there.

Most AT's can't be held in a higher gear under light throttle. Ones with paddle shifters may allow this.

CVT's are even worse because you have NO control at all of the gear ratio. At least none that I can figure out. You're in the hands of some engineer who set the map. The one on the Prius is at least tolerable because the engineer who mapped it was probably at least thinking about mpg at the time. And because any excess output is (hopefully) shunted into the battery.

DSG's hold out some hope but I'm not sure how they work WRT gear control, FAS and bump starting. And cost, reliability questions.

I like having something to DO while driving - texting just isn't enough to keep me occupied!!

P.S. Virtually zero chance of SUA for an MT: stepping on the clutch is equivalent to shifting into neutral, and that's your natural reaction if the car runs away because in effect you practice that every time you shift gears or come to a stop.

[MikeMarsUK]

Automatic shifts seem to be rare outside America... why is it that America went to slush boxes & everyone else stayed on manual transmission?

[killer6795]

Prior to my Mazda, my daily drivers have all been autos, and after a year or two, I always got bored with them and traded them in for different vehicles which would only keep me interested for another year or two. I've now had my manual Mazda for nearly 6 years and I'm still having fun rowing through the gears each day. I'll continue to drive manual cars as long as they're available, and for as long as I'm able.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by MikeMarsUK

Automatic shifts seem to be rare outside America... why is it that America went to slush boxes & everyone else stayed on manual transmission?

Why is that Americans drove large cars when everyone else drove smaller cars?

Automatics:
- Cost more
- Are less efficient (whatever the EPA tells Americans)

When cars are relatively cheap and gas is cheap everybody buys whatever's the most convenient.

[JusBringIt]

Originally Posted by lightfoot

This is because the manufacturers rejigger the final drive ratios to make them that way (e.g. Honda Fit, Subarus, etc):
- they think MT drivers want sporty accel
- if the AT tests higher on the EPA it's leverage to get buyers to pay the ca $1000 upcharge for an AT

You can't FAS an AT (at least not these days), couldn't bump start it if you did. I have to drive to Boston today in the Insight-I and will probably FAS >50 times on my way there.

Most AT's can't be held in a higher gear under light throttle. Ones with paddle shifters may allow this.

CVT's are even worse because you have NO control at all of the gear ratio. At least none that I can figure out. You're in the hands of some engineer who set the map. The one on the Prius is at least tolerable because the engineer who mapped it was probably at least thinking about mpg at the time. And because any excess output is (hopefully) shunted into the battery.

DSG's hold out some hope but I'm not sure how they work WRT gear control, FAS and bump starting. And cost, reliability questions.

I like having something to DO while driving - texting just isn't enough to keep me occupied!!

P.S. Virtually zero chance of SUA for an MT: stepping on the clutch is equivalent to shifting into neutral, and that's your natural reaction if the car runs away because in effect you practice that every time you shift gears or come to a stop.

Quite a few engineers do think about mpg actually, but...they don't always get the final call.

[Chuck]

Don't have the links, but many countries either require you drive in a manual to get a licence or put a restriction on the licence.