Why autos are quicker than manuals

AnthonyUK

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I've had autos for 30 years or so ... I can never see the attraction of 3 pedals, especially in stop start traffic. 2 feet ... 2 pedals ;)
Exactly. I’m pretty shocked tbh that manufacturers today would fit a manual to a car with adaptive cruise, or cruise of any description really.
 

ajlsl600

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Don't think I could go manual on my daily drive. That said modern autos are getting over complex I do a fair few auto trans and manuals are easier to fix, understand. As with all today its the b electronics that cause the most issues.
 

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The one i had was a Singer Vogue .The car itself was imaculate ,low miles .may be thats why because the auto box was the problem . The autobox was electric made by Smiths .And the car we called - herr clonk we called it that because at the slightest sign of any hill , no mater how large, or small ..The bigger the hill the more herr-clonk herrr clonk we got .I even took it to the specalist garage in Digbeth B/Ham, and it was no better after the visit, so not long after, it soon went from my ownership .
 

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I well recall the sales brochure specs. on yesteryear cars '65 to say '85, virtually always had the
manual version 0-60mph times down as quicker than the auto. 0 - 50mph was quoted at times,
0 - 60 being only a phantasy on some !
No doubt with todays auto boxes being far better in everyway, can generally match or
beat the manual versions even if they, in turn, have become slicker than the slush boxes of ye olden dayes.
Human brain/hand coordination speed, of course remaining unchanged.
I don't think many manufacturers even quote acceleration times these days, not thought PC, or
being antisocial, irresponsible.......etc. Just leave it to the petrolhead mags.
 

kotecki

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I guess it is all about choice but why is a manual gearbox a better option?

I was amazed when I found out that trucks now have automatic gearboxes with advanced technology to cope with all situations.

What are the benefits of a manual gearbox? Can automatics be put into a gear and remain in it if a driver so wishes?

When we go all-electric, will that see the end of the manual gearbox?
 

EmilysDad

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I guess it is all about choice but why is a manual gearbox a better option?
Depends what you consider as being better ;)
I was amazed when I found out that trucks now have automatic gearboxes with advanced technology to cope with all situations.
EmilysMum used to work for the local council on waste management, All the bin wagons were autos because the manuals used to go through clutches every 5 mins due to the stop/stop nature of collecting bins, so using autos was the much cheaper option in the long run.

What are the benefits of a manual?
You can be control!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Can automatics be put into a gear and remain in it if a driver so wishes?
I have a manual option on mine (part of the off road pack I think) but it'll still go back to 1st if you come to a stop - I've only pressed it a couple of times in the last couple of years ;)
When we go all-electric, will that see the end of the manual gearbox?
Apparently there has been a big shift in the amount of people that have an AUTO only licence, partly because people are learning in EVs
 

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Go and look at track cars, how many manuals can you find,, none . If people go about building a fast car ..they dont instal an Automatic gear box . .
 

AnthonyUK

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Go and look at track cars, how many manuals can you find,, none . If people go about building a fast car ..they dont instal an Automatic gear box . .
If they don't use manuals or autos what are they using?
Normally a sequential which is an auto/manual hybrid I guess.
I don't know how far back you need to go but even my 20 year old 203 has a 'sequential' mode.
 
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Rockron

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If they don't use manuals or autos what are they using?
Normally a sequential which is an auto/manual hybrid I guess.
I don't know how far back you need to go but even my 20 year old 203 has a 'sequential' mode.
Third option, they should go for the Variomatic Transmission off a Daff 33? An Automatic which could go as fast in
reverse as avante. Rubber bands really can work:)
 

Paul Garrett

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Third option, they should go for the Variomatic Transmission off a Daff 33? An Automatic which could go as fast in
reverse as avante. Rubber bands really can work:)
Ha! I remember them, one of my aunties had a Daf variomatic....running joke was that her name was Daphney!! ...Daf in a Daf! :)
 

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many cars (like the marina or crapri) would have been on a borg warner 25 through to 66

a horrible three speed box with a really long first gear, it dropped 0 to 60 by 2 seconds over a manual and increased fuel consumption by more than 25% (I think the later the number the later / more torque it could almost cope with). A Jag 4.2 was using the BW66 by the 1980's - and if I'm in the right place the BW35 had a rear pump and could thus be bump started, which the BW65 and 66 certainly couldn't !)

by 1990's we saw 4 speed boxes with a half witted computer managing how and when to change and a lock up clutch taking the best possible efficiency of a TC auto from 98% to 100% in third and forth

then we took a leap in to the modern world when ZF brought out a 6 speed auto just about worth having, and by 2011 they moved it to an 8 speed with the sat nav telling it not to bother with 40% of the changes... The 8 speed is so strong its in nearly all BMWs and all the fast ones as the manual boxes can't cope with the torque

if you want to play with a big V8s everyone sensible used the GM400, Jag V12s / RR all shadow 2s the spirit/spur, plus almost every GM V8 with an auto
 
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Rockron

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Ha! I remember them, one of my aunties had a Daf variomatic....running joke was that her name was Daphney!! ...Daf in a Daf! :)
Nevertheless an interesting engineering concept, worthy of a quick Google Search and read.
I was reminded (unfortunately) that a variation/adaption of the Variomatic was used in some Fiesta models.
I think twist and go auto scooters are mostly based on the couple of pulleys and a
a drive belt principle of gearing. Auntie Daphney was probably quite forward thinking and a tad
daring for her day;)
Assuming she owned the beast when it was current of course.
 

Paul Garrett

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Nevertheless an interesting engineering concept, worthy of a quick Google Search and read.
I was reminded (unfortunately) that a variation/adaption of the Variomatic was used in some Fiesta models.
I think twist and go auto scooters are mostly based on the couple of pulleys and a
a drive belt principle of gearing. Auntie Daphney was probably quite forward thinking and a tad
daring for her day;)
Assuming she owned the beast when it was current of course.
Yes she did, owned it from new, she loved it , my Dad, her brother really wound her up about it , but it was very reliable and simple car and she got her own back when his cars broke down! Ha!
 

Botus

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Exactly. I’m pretty shocked tbh that manufacturers today would fit a manual to a car with adaptive cruise, or cruise of any description really.
same as any manual with cruise, dip the clutch and its no different to disengaging cruise via the steering wheel switch (calm, smooth transition) guy at work had adaptive on his manual VW Golf, you can change up or down a manual box and so long as conditions are safe it re-enables itself
 
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same as any manual with cruise, dip the clutch and its no different to disengaging cruise via the steering wheel switch (calm, smooth transition) guy at work had adaptive on his manual VW Golf, you can change up or down a manual box and so long as conditions are safe it re-enables itself
Cruise on my bike disengages on a downshift but maintains speed on the up-shift (all clutch-less...)
 

Botus

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Nevertheless an interesting engineering concept, worthy of a quick Google Search and read.
I was reminded (unfortunately) that a variation/adaption of the Variomatic was used in some Fiesta models.
CVT is more or less what daff used - a horrible gutless dronning mess - the very same rubbish loved by all toyota and honda hybrids for nearly 20 years
 

Botus

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I wonder quite how may Lexus sales fell to jag, bm or merc, just because the Japanese can't get their head around using a proper gearbox and suspension that works like it does on an alpina..... >50% (could be more !!!!)
 

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