What is Better: a Manual or an Automatic Transmission?

One of the most fundamental choices when choosing a car is deciding whether you want to go with a manual transmission or an automatic . Most drivers simply default to choosing an automatic because they don’t know how to handle a manually-operated transmission.

It’s true: there is some time that needs to be invested in learning how to drive “stick,” but you may find it’s worth the effort. Drivers choose manual transmission vehicles for more reasons than simply the nostalgic. There are some serious benefits to driving stick shift, just like there are to driving automatic. In this entry, we’ll cover what your transmission does exactly and the benefits of both manually and automatic styles.

Your Transmission Makes Your Car More Efficient

A car without a transmission operates much like a single speed bicycle. The engine would be directly tied to the drivetrain and turn the wheels. If you’ve ridden a single speed bike, though, you know that reaching higher speeds is difficult, as is climbing hills.

A multi-speed bicycle gives you the benefit of choosing different gear ratios, making all sorts of different tasks, including hills, easy on your body and your energy expenditure. Your car is the same way. A transmission makes the engine more efficient by changing gears. Doing this manually or automatically is a large part of what defines this efficiency, though.

Manual vs. Automatic

The best thing about driving an automatic transmission car is it will shift gears for you. It will choose the correct gear for the speed at which your traveling, leaving you to just worry about what lies ahead of you on the road.

The advantage of a manual car is you have a choice over when you shift gears. Lower gears give you access to more torque, helping you to stay in control in more slippery conditions. An automatic will always choose to up-shift at higher speeds, but you can choose to stay at a lower gear if you feel you need more torque.

Many drivers say that another advantage to driving stick is you feel more in tune with your vehicle. From personal experience, driving a stick shift makes me feel more engaged in driving and generally more focused overall.

Take Your Pick at Cox Chevy

Whatever your preference, we can help to connect you with a Chevy that meets your needs. Feel free to browse our new Chevy inventory, or stop by our dealership. We’re located on Cortez Road W, in Bradenton, just a quick trip from many communities around Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg.