Gearboxes - is it time to make a change?

It’s a subject that quite neatly divides opinions amongst drivers across the UK. What sort of gearbox is best? Or if we’re going to be technically correct, which is the better transmission – manual or automatic?

Time to make a change?

Well, a lot depends upon the way you like to drive and which type of transmission you feel more at home with. Let’s take a look at how the two kinds of gearboxes work, their pros and their cons.

Manual

Firstly, the manual gearbox. The Americans refer to it as the stick shift, which conjures up images of big 50’s Cadillacs. But back here in the UK, most of us here learn to drive a manual car, which requires the driver to change gear by using a manually operated clutch. In general, a manual gearbox gives improved performance over an automatic one and a more rewarding drive. However, older drivers can sometimes find driving a car with manual transmission quite a challenge, due to the effort of depressing the clutch and changing gear.

Automatic

A car with automatic transmission is far simpler to drive. The gearbox automatically changes ratios whilst the car is in motion, making driving far easier. All you have to do, as the driver, is steer the car in the right direction and brake as necessary. No worries about being in the right gear at the right time, or stalling the car. With that in mind, a car with automatic transmission may well be better suited if you’re an older driver who might be worried about coordinating all the actions required to drive a car. Also, many city drivers prefer an automatic because of the simple fact that you’re not constantly going up and down the gearbox, as you creep through heavy traffic.

One thing to remember here is that if you take your driving test in an automatic car, by law, you can only ever drive an automatic. However, pass your driving test in a manual and you can legally drive both.

Changing times

Although traditionally, manual gearboxes have been more popular in the UK, it would appear that a new breed of small automatics is making quite an impact on Britain’s drivers. Perhaps it’s time to change.

Useful links

Return to Helpful motoring hints and tips

The cost of filling up with the wrong fuel
It’s a horrible moment of realisation. You’re stood at the pump, happily watching the amount of litres going into your tank trying to keep up with total of pounds you’re clocking up, when you suddenly grasp the fact that you’ve made a mistake. You’re filling your car with the wrong fuel.
Read on
Green driving techniques
Cars are the second largest cause of global warming. Yet, as much as we would all like to help lessen the environmental effects of driving, for many of us life without a car simply isn’t practical. But, if you do have to drive (and let’s face it, almost all of us do), there are many ways to make that trip to town or drive to work more environmentally friendly.
Read on
What to look out for before your MOT
If you drive a car that’s over three years old, then once a year, by law, you’ll have to put it in for an MOT test. Which, more often than not, ends up making a nasty dent in your bank account. But there are a few simple ways to save yourself some money. You don’t have to be a mechanic and all it takes is a little bit of time. You may spot something that you could easily fix, without having to pay for a re-test.
Read on