Which gearbox is better: automatic or manual?

“Automatic” or “mechanical”: the pros and cons of gearboxes

When it comes time to choose a new car, we usually think about what type of engine and gearbox our future car will have.

If previously the choice consisted of two options - manual or automatic transmission, today, along with conventional “mechanics”, you can choose an automatic, robotic or continuously variable transmission.

In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of the transmissions listed above.

Automatic vs manual transmission

Simple complex “mechanics”

In terms of its design, a manual gearbox is a simply constructed unit, if, of course, you compare it with automatic and robotic transmissions. This simplicity determines the low cost of a car equipped with such a gearbox, and ease of maintenance and operation.

However, one can argue about the latter: the operating principle of a manual transmission requires the active participation of the driver, and therefore the role of the human factor in the operation of the “mechanics” is very large.

It’s one thing if a car with a manual transmission is driven by an experienced driver who knows at what speeds to switch to a particular gear and knows how to operate in difficult conditions (for example, if the car is stuck in snow or sand). It’s a completely different matter when a newbie drives a car with this type of transmission.

There is a big risk here that, due to simple ignorance of the operating rules of a manual transmission, a novice driver can, as they say, ruin the gearbox in a relatively short period of time (while the maximum service life of such a unit can be hundreds of thousands of kilometers).

Those who still decide to choose a car with a manual transmission should know everything about the positive and negative aspects of this type of transmission.

Manual transmission diagram

Pros of manual transmission:

1) Simplicity of design, relative low cost of repair and maintenance.

2) Long service life (some gearboxes of this type can be used even after the “original” car engine fails).

3) Fuel economy (compared to an automatic transmission, a car with a manual transmission consumes 10-15% less fuel) and high acceleration dynamics.

4) High percentage of efficiency (manual transmission allows you to use all the engine power and torque).

5) Good car response (quickly increasing engine speed), in which the driver chooses his own driving style, adjusting the moment of gear shifting.

6) Less weight than an automatic transmission.

7) Possibility of starting the engine when the ignition and battery fail.

8) Possibility of towing a car without using a tow truck, using a rigid or flexible hitch over any distance.

Disadvantages of manual transmission:

1) Difficulty of operation for beginners (novice drivers, due to the need to use the clutch, can damage both the clutch itself and the components of the box - for example, by engaging reverse gear instead of forward or not fully engaging the clutch).

2) Overloading the engine when the gears are engaged incorrectly (also applies to inexperienced drivers who may forget to switch to a higher or lower gear in time, thereby forcing the engine to operate at higher speeds).

3) An increased gear shift interval compared to an automatic transmission (during switching from a lower to a higher stage and back, the engine is disconnected from the transmission for a certain period of time, which leads to a loss of power).

4) Driver fatigue when operating a manual transmission when driving in city mode (you have to constantly change gears on/off).

Convenient but expensive to maintain “automatic”

If a manual gearbox has a simple design, then an automatic gearbox has a larger number of components and assemblies, which, in turn, affects the high cost of its manufacture, repair and operation.

However, such a box is more convenient to use, especially when driving in the city, since it does not require constant turning on/off of the clutch - this will appeal to novice drivers. Thus, human participation in the operation of the automatic transmission is minimized.

In addition, today the buyer can choose from several types of automatic transmissions: hydromechanical gearbox (regular “automatic”), manual gearbox with two clutches, robotic gearbox and continuously variable transmission.

Each of these types of transmissions has its own pros and cons, which we will dwell on in more detail, but first we will point out the general positive and negative features of automatic transmissions.

Automatic transmission

Pros of automatic transmission:

1) Ease of operation (no need to constantly engage the clutch).

2) There is no risk of overloading the engine (the automatic transmission itself selects the optimal moment to switch to an up or down gear).

3) Reduced time between transitions from the lowest stage to the highest and back without loss of engine power.

Disadvantages of automatic transmission:

1) Expensive repairs and maintenance.

2) Large weight of the unit (compared to a manual transmission).

3) Relatively low acceleration of the car (most typical for hydromechanical automatic transmissions).

4) Higher fuel consumption compared to “mechanics” (typical for hydromechanical, robotic gearboxes and variators).

5) Impossibility of towing a car on a flexible or rigid hitch (only with the help of a tow truck).

6) Lack of engine braking in Drive mode (for this type of braking you have to switch to a lower gear mode).

7) Short service life before overhaul compared to a manual transmission (maximum - up to 200 thousand kilometers).

Now let's look at the negative and positive qualities of each type of automatic transmission listed here.

So, the advantages of a hydromechanical gearbox include the ability to transmit large torque from the engine to the wheels, reliability and durability of the design. The disadvantages are failures when shifting gears, inability to tow.

5-speed automatic transmission ZF 5HP19

The positive aspects of a robotic gearbox include the relative cheapness (compared to other automatic transmissions) of production and operation, and the disadvantages include jerks when changing gears.

The dual-clutch transmission allows maximum torque to be transmitted at the same level as a manual transmission, without loss of engine power. But the negative aspect of using such a box is its unreliable design and expensive repairs.

Finally, the advantages of a continuously variable transmission include the smoothest gear shifting of all the listed gearboxes and the ability to use the maximum efficiency of the engine.

And the disadvantages are a relatively short service life before major repairs (as practice shows, CVTs often have to be overhauled after a mileage of 100-110 thousand kilometers) and the inability to transmit maximum torque from the engine to the wheels.

Bottom line

So far, the most practical in many respects is a manual transmission. But progress does not stand still, and modern automatic transmissions are becoming more reliable, durable and, most importantly, economical.

This type of transmission, such as a dual-clutch transmission, has already been “taught” to consume less fuel than a conventional manual transmission.

But the complexity of the design and the resulting high cost of repair and maintenance of such transmissions are not yet in favor of automatic transmissions.

Source: https://avtoexperts.ru/article/avtomat-ili-mehanika-plyusy-i-minusy-korobok-peredach/

Which gearbox is better - automatic, manual or variator?

Hi all! Today's article is devoted to the types of gearboxes, their differences, advantages and disadvantages. If you don't know which gearbox is better - automatic, manual or CVT, you will find the answer below.

To understand the advantages and disadvantages of each of the boxes, you need to understand their structure.

Mechanics

The oldest type of automobile transmission. Torque is transmitted through gears, which are engaged and disengaged by means of the gear shift lever. The mechanism itself is designed so that only one pair of gears can be turned on at one time.

The clutch serves to separate the engine and transmission. When the clutch is disengaged, the engine torque is not transmitted to the gearbox and a shift is made at this time. When driving a manual car, the driver fully feels the car and controls it.

In order to understand how a manual transmission works, I advise you to watch this video:

Machine

The mechanical part of the automatic transmission is based on planetary gearboxes. The gearboxes are engaged through the so-called. friction clutches, which in turn are engaged by hydraulic pistons.

The operation of the machine is controlled using electric or hydraulic “brains”. A torque converter is used as a clutch - in a simplified form, these are two propellers, one of which spins the other with a flow of oil.

Due to this, there is no constant rigid connection between the shafts and the torque is transmitted non-linearly, with increasing speed, it is possible to transmit more torque (modern automatic transmissions can block the torque converter and due to this they save great fuel).

To understand how the automatic transmission works, I suggest you watch this video:

Variable speed drive

The only continuously variable transmission type! The design with pulleys of variable radius was invented by Leonardo Da Vinci.

The principle of operation of the variator is that the gear ratio is changed steplessly by changing the diameters of the pulleys between which the belt is tensioned.

The main drawback lies in this belt and pulleys - these are highly processed parts made of expensive high-strength materials.

Marketers present this type of gearbox as a modern solution that allows you to use all the engine power for acceleration! Yes, in fact, only a variator can smoothly change the gear ratio, keeping the engine at maximum power speed! But the problem is that the variator transmits power very poorly, and in itself is very capricious.

All other types of gearboxes are able to rigidly (through gears) connect the primary and secondary shafts (modern automatic transmissions provide locking of the torque converter), thereby eliminating slipping).

In the case of a variator, a rigid connection is impossible; when the belt slips, the oil boils and sharply increases the friction force, thereby eliminating slipping; each such slip wears out the belt and pulleys. As a result, after a mileage of 80-150 thousand km, the gearbox completely fails and needs to be replaced.

Contract and refurbished boxes are a lottery, their resource is unknown, and a new box costs 300-500 rubles.

This is how the variator works:

Robot

A robot is nothing more than an electronically controlled mechanical box. On robotic transmissions, the clutch is controlled electronically and the gears are engaged electronically.

In general, the solution is not bad, but on small budget gearboxes there are roars when turning on gears and a delay when switching; on sports gearboxes with two clutches this problem is solved, but such boxes are much more expensive!

This is the most efficient type of automatic transmission today! The only disadvantages include the inability to randomly (selectively) shift gears and the increased complexity and cost of gearboxes with two clutches.

Here's a short video about how a robotic gearbox works:

So which gearbox is better?

It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this question because... tastes could not be discussed!

If you like to “drive” a car or live in the “backwoods” and traffic jams for you only come in bottles, you don’t have the problem of choosing – mechanics. The reason is simple - the most reliable type of gearbox that does not require expensive maintenance and expensive spare parts.

If you live in a big city, then after the first month of manual operation of the car you will see this picture:

The cost of servicing a car manually will be the lowest, and fuel consumption will be minimal, but this car will not be the most convenient to drive.

If most of the time you crawl through city traffic jams with their start-stop mode, you should definitely choose an automatic or CVT. Yes, the automatic transmission will show higher fuel consumption, and the CVT will be annoying due to the uniform howling of the engine during acceleration, but in the urban cycle the difference is not critical, and the clutch on a manual transmission does not last more than 50-60 thousand km in traffic jams.

If you choose between a CVT and an automatic, I recommend choosing an automatic, since its service life is 5-6 times higher than that of a CVT, it does not require replacing belts (which is not cheap) and, in extreme cases, the car will retain the ability to move.

A CVT after running 100,000 km on any car is a lottery! And if you lose, in the worst case scenario, you end up with half the cost of the car.

The robotic transmission is seen as some kind of compromise between automatic and manual, but in city driving the car will be annoying with frequent shifts and, most importantly, the robot does not know how to jump through gears. Those.

The automatic transmission can drop 2-3 gears down and begin intense acceleration; the robot can only shift 1 gear up or down.

There is no difference in fuel consumption between a robot and a manual transmission and the efficiency of both transmissions is the same! For those who like to drive, sports versions of robotic gearboxes provide the fastest acceleration due to the operation of two clutches.

Conclusion

Which box to drive is up to you to decide! Personally, I prefer classic automatics or mechanics. The CVT is also good, but the price of repairs... But a two-disc robot is not a thing for mass use, although overclocking with it is amazing!

That's all for me today. I hope that now for you the question “which gearbox is better, automatic, or manual, or CVT?”

If you have anything to add to this article, or have comments on the text, leave comments.

Sincerely, administrator http://life-with-cars.ru

Source: http://life-with-cars.ru/ustrojstvo-avtomobilya/kakaya-korobka-peredach-luchshe-avtomat-ili-mehanika-ili-variator/

Automatic or manual – which gearbox to choose? – magazine Behind the Wheel

A long time ago (but not last Friday), when I was working on a Talmud about car thefts, I came across this message - so to speak, from the section “Their Morals.” I quote:

“Two armed teenagers from the US state of Georgia robbed a man, taking his wallet and keys to a Honda Accord. However, they couldn’t steal it because they had never seen a box with a manual gearshift in their life! The only thing they could get to work was the radio.”

It's funny, isn't it? The third pedal on the floor brought the car thieves into a state of stupor - it is not surprising that they were immediately caught. By the way, it’s interesting - were they at least able to start the engine?

Related materials

Americans have long been unaccustomed to everything manual - boxes, window regulators, etc. This is their choice. What do we have? Again, I’ll remember an incident from my own life. More than ten years ago, when for the first time in my life I bought a foreign car - it was an S60 with an automatic transmission - one colleague, nodding approvingly, nevertheless asked a question:

- Mikhail Vladimirovich! So what, it really wasn’t possible to get the mechanics?

At this point I found myself in a stupor. The colleague was not joking - he quite sincerely did not understand how one could voluntarily “drive an automatic machine”? True, later he nevertheless “changed his orientation,” although he was an athlete to the core. But then another colleague, also a “racer,” supported him. Say, I want me to drive the car, and not the car to drive me!

Personally, such arguments seem far-fetched to me. Of course, you can transfer manual control of all mechanisms to the driver - there were once cars with manually controlled ignition timing.

But this was done due to poverty: today such decisions are only appropriate for an attraction. The auto industry, it seems to me, has also made its choice. In any case, the conventional price level, beyond which only the automatic machine reigns, is falling lower and lower.

But the A- and B-classes still allow for “pluralism” of opinions - there are both mechanics with handles and automatic machines. Solaris, Logans, Rio - you never know...

What advice can you give to a person who has his sights set on classes A or B, but is completely clueless about gearbox types?

What advice can you give to a person who has his sights set on classes A or B, but is completely clueless about gearbox types?

Let's try to put together all the pros and cons of manual transmissions and automatic transmissions. Let’s clarify right away - we will mainly talk about the most modified and most widespread hydromechanical automatic machines today. These are the boxes that are still installed on prestigious and expensive cars. We will deal with robots and CVTs in a separate article.

Manual Transmission

Minuses

pros

Torment for beginners who do not know how to use the clutch correctly and move away (the engine may stall), as well as select the right gear
When starting off on an uphill slope, many drivers' car rolls back
Severe driver fatigue when driving in city traffic jams - constant switching, etc.

Simplicity of design compared to automatic machines. Relative cheapness of repairs
Quite a large resource: it works for itself and works
Easy to start the engine when the battery is dead. Push start possible
As a rule, lower fuel consumption compared to an automatic: there are no losses in the torque converter
Lower car cost
The opportunity for the driver to feel like a kind of master of the car
No problems with towing over any distance
More opportunities to get out of the mud with a swing: the manual transmission allows you to shift much faster. The machine will soon overheat in this mode.

When slipping in mud, snow, or anywhere, it will be a little easier for a manual owner to handle the car. When slipping in mud, snow, or anywhere, it will be a little easier for a manual owner to handle the car.

Not all drivers, even experienced ones, know how to drive uphill without giving a centimeter back. For some reason, you can’t use the handbrake by hand, and not everyone can always move their foot from the brake to the gas instantly. Not all drivers, even experienced ones, can drive uphill without losing a centimeter. For some reason, you can’t use the handbrake by hand, and not everyone can always move their foot from the brake to the gas.

Minuses

pros

The car is obviously more expensive than the same one, but with a handle
Repairs will cost a pretty penny. If a manual transmission is, roughly speaking, a set of gears, then an automatic transmission is also clutches with solenoids and brains. And there are much fewer repair specialists
Fuel consumption is generally higher: the torque converter requires sacrifice.
Problems with long distance towing: The oil pump is usually located on the input shaft. During towing, it does not work, and oil starvation occurs.
If the battery is dead, then the car cannot be pushed
The service life, as a rule, is inferior to the durability of a manual gearbox: there are many more parts, and the gears are accompanied by capricious clutches.
The machine needs to warm up, but it warms up slower than the engine. It is not a source of heat!
Worse acceleration dynamics and higher consumption (in the class of inexpensive cars)

Beginner's paradise: no clutch, no need to constantly shift anything
When starting up a hill, the car will never move back: blocking is provided by the design.
The car will never stall even for a beginner
The driver has less chance of causing damage to the gearbox through inept actions.
The automatic transmission selects the optimal gear - driver error is excluded
It's not so hard to move in traffic jams

It’s much easier to crawl through traffic jams with an automatic than with a manual.

Related materials

Personally, my opinion is clear: I am for machine guns. Of course, we are talking about situations in which a person can afford both, but simply doubts. If finances do not allow you to go beyond the budget, then it’s a different matter, but under other conditions, I only recommend an automatic machine. However, I ask every colleague who has a different opinion to express their “fi”, if there are any.

As for the reasoning that someone wants to actively control the car, I, in principle, understand them. And I’m waiting with horror for the moment when the steering wheel completely disappears from the car - as unnecessary. Because from now on my car life will completely stop. I won’t sit in the driver’s seat to read a book or sleep. However, I am, of course, getting ahead of myself...

But not very far.

Source: https://www.zr.ru/content/articles/906689-chto-luchshe-mekhanika-ili-avtoma/

Automatic or manual transmission - which is better?

Almost all models of class A and B cars that are presented on the domestic market can be equipped with either automatic or manual transmission.

Another question is what should a potential buyer choose? On numerous forums, debates continue on the topic of which is better - automatic or manual. Some people deliberately purchase with a manual transmission.

There are so many people, so many opinions, but still – which transmission to choose? Let's try to figure it out.

That's why many people choose automatic transmission. This transmission provides very comfortable driving. You don’t have to constantly pull the selector for every change in the road situation. And every driver will definitely agree with this, especially if the car is used in a big city.

In huge cities, an automatic transmission gives the owner a lot of advantages - you don’t have to press the clutch every minute, pull the handle and worry - novice drivers are seriously worried about this. With an automatic transmission, the driver is less tired and practically not subject to stress, and calmness while driving reduces the risk of accidents. This is confirmed by reviews.

What is better - manual or automatic? Let's try to find out further.

No matter what weighty arguments may be made by fans of manual transmissions, modern automatic transmissions work faster and smoother. The main thing is that the box is new and technologically advanced. The automatic transmission will give the driver the opportunity to keep an eye on the road and hold the steering wheel with both hands.

This is why an automatic transmission is better than a manual transmission. But not everything is so simple - the history of the automotive industry knows many designs of automatic transmissions that were already born dead.

Owners complain about constant problems, kicks, slow work - you have to pay for comfort.

Dynamic characteristics

Fans of cars with manual transmission literally shout wherever they can that only this transmission makes it possible to maximize the potential of the engine. Only with a manual transmission you can quickly gain speed when needed. In general, they are right. But you need to understand that automatic transmissions are different.

Which is better - automatic or manual, you can decide by which automatic is installed. After all, if the automatic transmission is old, then the manual transmission in this case is the more correct choice. If a CVT is installed on a car, then due to design features it will be inferior in response speed to any other transmission.

However, the variator operates much softer. The dynamics of torque converter and robotic gearboxes are a little better. If their creators strive for efficiency, then the engine’s response to the gas pedal will not be explosive and sharp (without a sharp increase in speed).

And the gears in the transmission will be short - the mechanism will not allow you to drive the tachometer needle into the red zone.

Most automatic transmissions have a so-called “sport mode”. If you switch the box to this mode, the car becomes more dynamic. The driver gets the opportunity to change gears sequentially. Naturally, this is not a full-fledged replacement for a manual transmission.

If the engine-transmission pair is configured to save money, then you shouldn’t expect miracles in terms of acceleration. But this does not mean that the machine is not capable of anything and will not be able to give the owner a sense of drive.

In expensive sports cars, manufacturers install multi-stage automatic transmissions that can accelerate the car to 100 kilometers per hour in three seconds.

Therefore, it is not entirely correct to say that the machines are not dynamic. The fact is that such serious automatic units significantly affect the price of the car. But budget models cannot and should not be expensive.

Therefore, they install 4-5-speed automatic transmissions on budget cars and “strangle” them, limiting some drivers and compensating for the mistakes of others. For example, an automatic will never allow you to overturn the engine, which can be done very easily with a manual.

But any engine has its own red zone (the so-called “cutoff”), so even at high speeds the damage to the engine will be minimal.

Based on this, it is difficult to say which is better - automatic or manual. For a beginner who has just gotten behind the wheel, but is at the same time comfortable with his head, the best choice is an automatic transmission. It is also better to choose an automatic machine for girls. Mechanics for those who already have a little feel for the car.

Fuel consumption

If you look at the numbers, at the manufacturers' passport data, you can clearly see that models with automatic transmission consume more fuel than the same models, but it is manual. Thus, the Skoda Octavia A5 with manual transmission in the combined cycle consumes 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers. At the same time, this model, but with automatic transmission, consumes 7.9 liters.

The difference seems to be insignificant, but it exists and it cannot be avoided - the automatic transmission does that part of the work that the driver must do, and this requires energy. But engineers today are successfully solving these problems. Some drivers drive a car with a manual transmission with even higher consumption rates than those with an automatic transmission.

This happens to those who prefer a more aggressive driving style, with frequent gas changes, acceleration and braking. Therefore, consumption does not always depend on the type of transmission.

Off-road, towing

In debates about which gearbox is better - automatic or manual, this argument is also used. In some cases, mechanics give an advantage - for example, when the driver buried the car in the sand. With a manual you have a better chance of getting out.

The gearbox becomes a sensitive and obedient tool in the hands of an experienced driver. The same cannot be said about the machine - it is controlled electronically. But in expensive cars, the automatic transmission has several modes, including for off-road driving.

Budget cars also have special modes (for example, winter). Here, the traction transmitted to the drive wheels is limited - even if the driver presses the pedal hard, this mode will reduce slipping to a minimum. It is also possible to start driving from second or third gear.

A serious disadvantage of automatic transmission is that if the car breaks down, it only needs to be towed by a tow truck.

Cost and operating costs

This is the biggest drawback of automatic transmissions. Take the Octavia too. The difference in the cost of a car with a manual and an automatic is 2 thousand dollars. But that's not all. In automatic transmissions, you need to change the oil more often. The automatic transmission also loses in terms of oil volume. Therefore, in a debate about which gearbox is better - automatic or manual, manual transmission wins financially.

Advantages of manual transmission

A car equipped with a manual transmission has better acceleration dynamics. With a manual transmission, you can rev the engine right up to the red zone on the tachometer. Standard slot machines lose here by a few seconds.

With some experience working with a manual transmission, you can learn to coast while achieving serious savings. This number will not work with an automatic machine. The manual transmission needs to be filled with less oil - about two liters. In winter, manual transmission also benefits - such cars are easier to start.

When the clutch is pressed, the engine is disconnected from the transmission, which means there is less load on the engine when starting. As for the cost and complexity of repairs, it is clear what is better - automatic or manual.

Repairing a manual transmission is much cheaper and easier, and even unofficial services can provide such services. There are also advantages in winter - the car can easily slip in the snow. But this cannot be allowed on an automatic machine.

Disadvantages of manual transmission

The main disadvantage is driving comfort. Beginner drivers have to get used to working with the gear selector for a long time. Also, not every beginner finds it easy to start moving.

Another serious disadvantage is the clutch. Often it burns out.

And finally, on cars with a manual transmission, the engine life is much lower - an automatic transmission will not allow you to overclock the engine to the red zone, but on a manual transmission this happens more often.

Resource

When someone argues about which is better - automatic or manual, arguments are used that there are no problems at all with a manual transmission, it is very difficult to break it. But the mechanics need to be serviced more often, reviews say. This includes replacing clutch discs and transmission oil.

This is done once every 40 thousand kilometers. The clutch disc and release plate are changed more often, especially for those who have recently driven. The automatic transmission will not require any maintenance for approximately 70-80 thousand kilometers. And then you just need to change the oil, and you can continue driving.

Why do machines break down? It's simple. Manufacturers write in the car instructions that the oil in the automatic transmission is designed for the entire service life of the car. If you change it regularly, there will be no problems with the machine.

Experts advise replacing ATP fluid every 60 thousand kilometers.

Conclusion

If possible, you don’t need to think about whether an automatic transmission or a manual transmission is better. It is better to buy an automatic transmission and enjoy driving. If you don’t have enough money, then mechanics would also be a good option. Even fragile girls feel confident with a manual transmission.

But in general, everyone buys what they need. If you really need to drive your car, you should choose a manual. If you just need a comfortable ride, then an automatic. Which gear is better - automatic or manual, everyone chooses for themselves.

This issue is quite controversial.

Automatic or manual transmission - which is better at News4Auto.ru

Our life consists of everyday little things that in one way or another affect our well-being, mood and productivity. I didn’t get enough sleep - my head hurts; I drank coffee to improve the situation and cheer myself up - I became irritable. I really want to foresee everything, but I just can’t.

Moreover, everyone around, as usual, gives advice: gluten in bread - don’t go near it, it will kill you; A chocolate bar in your pocket is a direct path to tooth loss.

We collect the most popular questions about health, nutrition, diseases and give answers to them that will allow you to better understand what is good for your health.

Source: http://News4Auto.ru/korobka-peredach-avtomat-ili-mehanika-chto-lychshe/

Comparative characteristics of the gearbox

Home page » Gearbox » Comparative characteristics of gearboxes

Cars currently have either a manual or automatic transmission. Lately, car enthusiasts have been arguing a lot about which gearbox is better. In order to draw the appropriate conclusions, it is necessary to study all the advantages and disadvantages of manual and automatic transmissions, how each of them differs from each other.

The task of any gearbox is to transfer torque from the engine to the chassis when starting to move and accelerate. Thanks to the variable torque, smooth movement is ensured. In addition, the box must provide automatic reverse gear and disconnect the connections between the engine and the driving pair of wheels if it is necessary to stop the car or idling the engine.

Manual transmission

Manual gearboxes have gears that provide variable torque. Manual transmissions can be equipped with 4 and 5 forward gears and one reverse gear.

Gear shifting is carried out due to the movement of gears, the engagement of gears with each other and their locking on the shaft with synchronizers. The gears and synchronizers are controlled by the driver when the clutch is disengaged.

Due to its simplicity of design, a manual transmission is more reliable than an automatic transmission.

Manual Transmission

Advantages	Flaws
Lower cost of cars with manual transmission than with other types of gearboxes.	Inconvenience of movement in traffic jams, constant gear shifting, which negatively affects the clutch discs.
Controllability. Ability to fully control the machine. Fast acceleration: the driver can rev the engine to critical levels, achieving maximum dynamics.	Difficult to control. Beginner drivers have problems when starting off, changing to a lower gear, and driving in urban conditions. Experienced drivers change gears without thinking about their actions.
Fuel economy. Fuel consumption is greatly influenced by driving style. If someone who likes to drive fast drives a car with a manual transmission, they will not be able to save on fuel. There will also be no savings if you change gears incorrectly. Thus, a manual transmission will outperform an automatic transmission in terms of gas savings only if the car is driven by an experienced driver who will accurately change gears.	Using the maximum capabilities of the engine leads to rapid wear and tear and major repairs, reducing the service life of the vehicle.
The ability to get the maximum from the engine that it is capable of, higher efficiency compared to an automatic transmission.	When manually changing gears, drivers quickly become tired, which has a negative impact on driving and reduces road safety.
Simplicity of design, cheap repairs and maintenance. Possibility of self-repair.
Cheap spare parts and consumables.
Saving transmission oil due to smaller box volume.
High reliability, only requires frequent clutch replacement.
Easy to start in frosty weather. This is achieved due to a small volume of viscous oil, which exerts less resistance on the parts. In addition, in a manual transmission you can disconnect the transmission from a cold engine, thereby reducing the load on the starter when starting.
Not afraid of slipping.
Minimal energy losses when transmitting torque to the drive wheels.

Automatic transmission

In automatic transmissions, torque is transmitted from the engine to the vehicle's chassis using a torque converter and planetary gears. Thanks to the torque converter, the car moves off smoothly and shifts gears easily.

Now there are several options for automatic transmissions:

classic automatic (there is no direct connection between the engine and the wheels, transmission fluid is used to transmit torque, a multi-plate clutch, high fuel consumption);
CVT (torque varies smoothly, fuel economy, smaller size compared to a classic automatic, full use of engine power);
robotic (structure resembles mechanics, controls are automatic; light weight; low cost; expensive production).

Automatic transmissions are constantly being improved. New models can have up to 7 modes, in addition, they have made improvements that affect fuel economy and smooth gear shifting during acceleration.

Automatic transmission

Advantages	Flaws
Ease of Management.	Fuel consumption is higher compared to a manual transmission, although it depends on driving style.
Convenient when moving in traffic jams, there is no need to constantly pull the clutch. The car will not roll if it is standing on a slope. This ensures that there will be no collision with another vehicle.	High cost of repair and maintenance. It takes several days to repair the box. It needs to be removed, disassembled, all necessary parts replaced, then reassembled and installed on the car.
Boxes with 6-7 gears can compete with mechanics in terms of speed and fuel economy.	The proper operation of the automatic transmission depends on the quality of the transmission fluid, and therefore requires its constant replacement during maintenance.
Support of optimal speed by automatic transmission, which eliminates engine overload.	Towing is not recommended. Friction rings may become charred during towing. The burnt mass will subsequently clog the solenoids, which will damage the gearbox.
Low load on the engine and transmission as a whole.	Complex design.
Switching to manual mode allows you to get the benefits of a manual transmission.	Higher cost of a car with automatic transmission.
Problems when starting the engine in frosty weather.
Loses in dynamics during acceleration.

What's better?

There are enough adherents of both automatic and manual transmissions in the world. Abroad, according to statistics, 90% of cars have automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions appeared on the domestic market not so long ago, but are already gaining popularity among car enthusiasts. Below is a comparison chart of both boxes.

Automatic or manual transmission

Comparative characteristics
Manual transmission	Automatic transmission
Control	Complex. It takes some getting used to and requires certain driving skills. Difficulty moving in urban environments.	Quickly get used to the driving style. Easy gear shifting, smooth start. Easy movement in traffic jams. There is no rollback.
Starting the engine in frosty weather	It is easy to start due to a small volume of viscous lubricant, as there is less resistance on the part.	There may be problems when starting a cold engine in the cold.
Price	A car equipped with a manual transmission costs less than one with an automatic transmission. Cheaper consumables and spare parts. Cheap repairs and maintenance.	A car with an automatic transmission is more expensive. Expensive repairs and maintenance.
Design	Simple. Allows you to do your own repairs. The presence of the drive, basket, and clutch discs may require replacement and repair.	Complex. You cannot make repairs yourself.
Fuel consumption	It consumes less fuel than an automatic transmission if you drive the car skillfully: use coasting, quickly change gears.	More fuel is consumed than with a manual transmission.
Transmission fluid	It is more economical when changing oil, since the volume of a manual transmission is smaller than that of an automatic one.	Requires more frequent oil changes, as it is demanding on its quality.
Dynamics	Maximum use of engine capabilities is possible.	Loses when overclocking. Gear shifts slowly.

The choice between automatic and manual largely depends on the driver’s driving style and financial capabilities. Each driver has a different driving style; for those who like an aggressive style, a car with a manual transmission will suit them.

It is better for novice car enthusiasts to choose a car with an automatic transmission. Cars with an automatic transmission are more expensive, and their maintenance and repairs are expensive, this must be taken into account when buying a car.

In any case, the driver must choose a car according to his tastes and preferences.

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