the problem with manual trans is the drivers like to "keep the rubber band wound tight"
and run the engines near redline.
with an auto trans the driver does not have control of that, and the computer decides what gear the trans should be in for max power. thus the major difference in fuel consumption.

 

Exactly, it's a driver issue. The opposite is also true, a good driver will keep the engine turning only as fast as it needs to be to make the needed power. An automatic doesn't know that for example you have a gentle down grade for the next ten miles and can basically idle, it will keep it where it's been programmed at a higher RPM.

 

Most modern automatics actually get better fuel economy than the manual option (when available). Most likely due to the increased ratio spread of the newer autos vs. manual. And the ECU can control both for maximum efficiency. Not to mention the torque multiplication the TC affords...

 

Well, if I owned a trucking company, I would be open minded to "consider" them, but getting back to our own individual Pick-ups and 1-Ton Trucks, I still say that an Auto won't beat my driving style, but even if it did, I would be very much more than happy to pay the small difference !!

Bill

 

i have towed with a manual and an automatic. from a 12 ft rowboat to a 36 foot office trailer.
and i have to say nothing beats an automatic, especially when in hilly areas.
the auto trans makes for a smooth move.

 

Talk about smooth shifting, when we were young, we could never afford a Car Carrier, Wrecker or even a Trailer, and Tow-Dolleys weren't quite out yet so when one of us broke down, we towed with a Chain. The idea was to always keep the Chain tight. Now the car being towed, was the one that had to do all the Braking. We communicated by hand signals. If you didn't keep the chain tight when accelerating, you both were in for a big jolt. All of my tows were done with a Manual Trans. The trick accelerating was do to a low speed "power shift".

 

yup. been there done that.
i moved a 59 pontiac catalina with a blown engine close to 75 miles with the old pipe and chain method back in the late 70's.
tow vehicle was a 49 international L190 with a big six cylinder gas engine and a quad box.
i drove that damn thing every day for close to 6 years before i even knew cars had automatic transmissions.
and still never drove an automatic until i bought a LTD for my mother in 86.
i did not get an automatic for myself until i bought the crown vic in 01.
now the only thing i own with a manual trans is the 66 7 Litre 4 speed convertible.

 

I was just thinking of this the other day.

...almost mentioned it.

But we've got no more Manual Transmissions and if things keep going this way, maybe someday we won't even have any Drivers !!

Well, check this out:

The Truck of the Future Will Have Everything...Except a Driver - NBC News

Bill

 

i do not see that happening in our lifetimes.

 

Although this is a Road Tractor, it is a good example of a Manual Trans without any explanation, lol.

It is the same exact Trans I had in the Tandem Flatbed I used to drive:

 

They don't build manual transmission trucks anymore because the STUPID engineers can not drive one!!
I think they should build into all the new cars a device that kicks the auto trans out of gear when you put your foot on the brake! Or make it so that your left foot has to rest in a loop on the floor and if you take out of said loop the car goes into neutral!! That will fix traffic congestion faster than anything. Yea off topic but having to follow some dumb *** across town who has his foot on the brake the whole time, not going fast enough for me to get out of second gear pisses me off!

 

I don't usually say this, but that is dumb.
The auto companies are in the business of making money.
If the demand was there, so would be the manual transmissions.

 

Dumb you say! It is incredible the number of younger drivers that CANNOT drive a Stick! Never even been in one. So yes the demand is not there. Money was always the factor. A manual equipped vehicle was nearly always $1,000.00 or more cheaper than an autobox=demand for same. But now days ppl are willing to pay $50K for a pickup truck=insane. But that's OK, I'll just keep my 30 year old truck. I'll beat them in the stop light drags and always out run them on the top end. Ya see I don't have any of that fancy computer controlled throttle, transmission, steering nor brakes, what happens at 80mph and the computer malfunctions?

 

It's no secret that the auto and truck industry "wants" to sell Auto Transmissions to the public. One way or another, along with help from modern-day buyers wanting more luxury and ease, they have accomplished this.

But there are a certain percentage of us, as also evident from this thread, that will never give up our Manuals. Myself, I presently have 3 trucks and will just keep repairing them and restoring them as necessary, as I also have no plans of ever "giving in".

Bill

 

Well heck, did y'all see this on the Home Page ?

The Manual Transmission is Dead, and it's Never Coming Back ... Ever | Ford Trucks