View Poll Results: Which is better manual or automatc transmission?
Manual
21
63.64%
Automatic
12
36.36%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll
Which is better manual or automatic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Some will argue that a manual will last longer, which it will but you do have a clutch to replace. The auto tranny in my car has lasted for 230,000 miles, only ever having the fluid changed once. Kind of hard to argue with that. I do like the fact that there's no power loss with the manual.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
I say automatic. If you have to really work your truck like towing or plowing and you need small amounts of power applied gradually or great gobs of torque... an auto will do a better job of managing the power and survive longer. If a hydrostatic transmission wasn't best suited for that purpose, then they wouldn't be in virtually every farm and construction tractor built in the last fourty years.
The penalty they carry is their extra weight. Also the automatics offered in the F-series can actually put out too much torque when behind a PSD and break something in the transmission or drive line. So in the past, auto PSD's were detuned to compensate. I think that's no longer true with the 6.0.
The penalty they carry is their extra weight. Also the automatics offered in the F-series can actually put out too much torque when behind a PSD and break something in the transmission or drive line. So in the past, auto PSD's were detuned to compensate. I think that's no longer true with the 6.0.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: American Falls, Idaho
I prefer the manual, although the torque multiplication gained with an automatic will allow you run taller gears for street use (to a point).
Chad
Chad
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
it's all about the app
Anudder thought....
If you're drag racing and have a stall converter, one thing to consider is that automatics never miss a gear. And I don't care how you speed shift, you're going to lose a fractional amount of mo' when you go from gear to gear.
If you're drag racing and have a stall converter, one thing to consider is that automatics never miss a gear. And I don't care how you speed shift, you're going to lose a fractional amount of mo' when you go from gear to gear.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
How exactly does an automatic "Put out" power. It seems to me that if they de-tuned to make the tranny last then they didn't build a strong enough tranny. Transmissions transfer power only, maybe you could clarify. Not trying to start trouble I just don't understand.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Benton County, MN
I would have to say it depends on what the vehicle is used for. Personal preference as well. I prefer manuals. With all th electronics on transmissions nowdays, I don't want to have to guess what gear I am in.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: NE Wisconsin
With an auto, the power goes through a torque converter. It essentially slips when starting from a stop, this gives a gradual application of power. This is better for plowing or high horse/torque engines(less shock on drivetrain). Yes, Ford did not make a strong enough tranny. The 7.3 powerstroke had ALOT of potential ford didn't use. Now they came out with the torqueshift for the 6.0 which is supposed to hold up. I havent heard anything good or bad about them. Still can't understand why they went to the 6.0 instead of the 7.3.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
A torque converter does not "slip" except at idle. The old hydraulic coupling in 1930's to 1950's Hydramatics did that. A T/C actually multiplies torque by trading rpms for torque, transferring the same amount of power.
I have seen driveline failure where a big block engine, auto transmission and tall off-road tires all put too much torque on a front 4x4 axle and it snapped the left shaft.
Jim
I have seen driveline failure where a big block engine, auto transmission and tall off-road tires all put too much torque on a front 4x4 axle and it snapped the left shaft.
Jim
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by Mr. G
How exactly does an automatic "Put out" power. It seems to me that if they de-tuned to make the tranny last then they didn't build a strong enough tranny. Transmissions transfer power only, maybe you could clarify. Not trying to start trouble I just don't understand.
Think about this: with a heavily loaded vehicle, a manual transmission needs the clutch let out smoothly and gradually with even application of throttle to get the load moving. Dump the clutch, and you will kill the engine. With an auto, you can just floor it and summon up a great deal more power. It's that abusive use of power that can lead to breakage.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Autos are gaining
I think autos are gaining in off road use. I have a manual and like the compression braking when decending hills. But I sure would like to try an auto in LO range and see what it could do. I get awful tired of sliping the clutch in tight situations, or not having instant power when climbing a hill in 2nd and needing 1st instead. Overall I think manuals are easier to maintain.
For highway use I believe the new automatics are the way to go.
For highway use I believe the new automatics are the way to go.