Manual vs automatic - Our guide

Manual vs automatic: which is best?

Not sure whether your next car should be manual or automatic? Whether it's the control and engagement of traditional manual gears or the smooth and convenient driving experience of an automatic car that takes your fancy, there are plenty of pros and cons of both transmission types.

In this article, we discuss the age-old question: is automatic better than manual? We also talk in depth about what it is like to drive an automatic car, highlighting key differences, advantages and disadvantages of automatic and manual cars.

Below we provide a guide to the key differences of manual and automatic cars, as well as the pros and cons of each.

Is automatic better?

This is probably the question that you'll hear the most when it comes to this topic. Are automatic cars better than manual cars? Or vice versa. Ultimately, there is no definitive answer, it comes down to personal preference, lifestyle and budget.

Some prefer to have more control over their car and its speed with gears. In this case, you should choose a manual car. In a manual, drivers can use engine braking, a method of braking with your engine and gears which cannot be carried out in an automatic. It is also said that manuals offer drivers more speed, as they are typically better at consigning power from the engine to the wheels.

On the other hand, automatic cars offer drivers added convenience because you do not need to physically use the gears to speed up or slow down. This provides drivers with an easier and more seamless driving experience than what can be achieved in a manual car. So, as already mentioned, there are pros and cons of both automatic and manual cars.

Manual vs automatic: the pros and cons

Pros and cons of automatic cars

Pros

If your commute is busy and you often sit in heavy traffic when you are driving, then an automatic car could make your journeys a lot easier.

Say goodbye to sitting with your foot constantly moving up and down on the clutch while in a queue of traffic. With no need to change gears, clutch control is a thing of the past! This also means you won't need to worry about stalling when the lights go green and there’s a long line of cars behind you.

This also makes automatic cars a great option for inexperienced drivers, as there are less things you need to do to remain in control of the car.

Cons

One of the main disadvantages of owning an automatic car is that you have less control and engagement when driving. Automatic cars are also typically more expensive to buy than their manual counterparts because they have more advanced transmission equipment and parts.

Automatics are also unable to engine brake – as there are no gears, you are unable to come down your gears manually to reduce speed.

Additionally, in an automatic, when you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the car will slowly start to move forwards or backwards depending on the selected gear, which is known as 'creeping’ or ‘idle speed’, which can come as a surprise if you’re not expecting it.

It's a good idea to hover your left foot over the brake while parking or in slow-moving traffic to be ready to prevent any unwanted bumps. Of course, you can also select 'neutral' and/or use the brake or handbrake to make sure you don’t move at all.

Pros and cons of manual cars

Pros

One of the main benefits of choosing a manual car is the control and engagement the driver has over the car. You can move up or down the gears as and when you choose. This gives the driver more control when speeding up or slowing down.

Manual cars are usually less expensive than automatics due to using less complex equipment in their transmission. This also translates into lower transmission repair costs, too.

Traditionally, it was said that ICE manual cars tend to be more fuel-efficient than ICE automatic cars. This is because an experienced and skilled manual car driver can enhance their fuel economy through proper use of the gears. However, automatic transmission equipment has become more advanced in recent years which has led to improved fuel economy.

Cons

While some drivers may enjoy the idea of shifting gears, for others, it can be a nightmare. A manual can be tiresome work for some drivers, especially when they're constantly changing gears in heavy traffic. This can lead to driver fatigue.

Secondly, some drivers may struggle to find the biting point of the clutch, especially, when they need precise control on hills. This can be difficult for new or inexperienced drivers to grasp. Drivers can also stall manual vehicles with poor clutch control.

With all that in mind, it is arguably harder for someone to learn to drive in a manual car, as it will take longer for a learner to get used to clutch control.

Lastly, as manufacturers focus on electric powertrains in their model line-ups, manual transmission is becoming less common in new cars, making them harder to find in newer model lineups.

What is it like to drive an automatic car?

Driving an automatic car is similar to driving a manual car, just with no clutch and no gear shift. An automatic car’s transmission works up and down through the gears without you having to move a muscle.

This means the physical driving experience is different. This is because you do not have to think about changing gears as you speed up or slow down.

When driving an automatic car, you’ll also find that, instead of a gear shift or stick, there is a gear selector. This will usually have four different modes to choose from. These include:

• Neutral (N)

  Neutral gear in an automatic car means that the engine and transmission are disconnected. You could use this gear if you were stopping for a few seconds, rather than using Park (P). You can use Neutral in tandem with the foot or handbrake to stop you from rolling in this instance.

  When driving an automatic car, you should ensure you come to a complete stop before switching to Park (P) or putting the car into Reverse (R). Neutral (N) disengages forward and reverse gears when the driver switches abruptly between them. Proper use of Neutral (N) avoids gearbox damage.

• Reverse (R)

  As it would suggest, Reverse (R) is the gear you choose when you want to reverse an automatic car. This works as the car rotates the planetary gearset in the opposite direction. This then allows the wheels to move in reverse and your car to move backwards.

• Park (P)

  Again, as the name suggests, Park (P) is the gear which you would select when you have come to a complete stop and are ready to park the vehicle. This gear locks the transmission, stops the car from moving and prevents rolling.

• Drive (D)

  Drive (D) is the gear which you choose to engage the car’s transmission and allow it to move forward.

With all of this in mind, you need to be careful not to mistakenly press too hard down on the brake pedal if you are used to driving a manual. In an automatic, this could lead to uncomfortable emergency braking.

If it’s your first time driving an automatic, you might find it easier to tuck your left foot off to the side. This stops your foot from getting in the way or trying to press on a clutch which isn’t there!

What's the difference between manual and automatic cars?

The two main differences between a manual and automatic car can be seen in the car’s clutch and gearbox.

A manual car will have a clutch pedal and most likely, a five or six-speed manual gearbox. In a manual car you need to press in the clutch pedal and choose the right gear for the car’s speed, giving you full control over its performance.

On the other hand, an automatic car doesn’t have a clutch and has a simplified gearbox. An automatic gearbox selects the right gear for the car’s speed and the road conditions. In turn, this means drivers only need to focus on stopping, starting and turning.

Other differences encompass the complexity of an automatic transmission in comparison to manual. The equipment used in automatic transmission is typically more advanced than what is used in a manual car. This impacts upon cost at point of purchase.

For example, manual transmissions have a flywheel and clutch discs. An automatic transmission has a flex plate (connecting the engine to the transmission) and torque converter attached to the drivetrain to act like a clutch.

Manual vs automatic: fuel efficiency and consumption

There are many factors that can affect the fuel efficiency of a car. The vehicle’s engine size, overall weight and individual driving style are just some of these factors.

Automatic cars tend to be slightly less fuel-efficient than manual cars as they use more energy to shift gears. An automatic car requires a torque converter in the transmission while a manual car does not. A torque converter in automatic transmission uses fluid to transfer power from the engine to the transmission.

Moreover, automatic transmissions are usually heavier than manual transmissions, which increases the weight of the car. This reduces fuel efficiency slightly because heavier vehicles burn more fuel. However, the difference in fuel efficiency between manual and automatic cars is relatively small.

Your questions answered

What does an automatic gear stick look like?

Automatics typically have four options on the gear stick – Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N) and Drive (D). The shift pattern will either be displayed on the gear stick itself or along the side of it.

What does a manual gear stick look like?

The shift pattern on a manual gear stick will look different on every car, depending on the make and model. It usually has five or six gears as well as a reverse and neutral option. A car’s gear pattern will be displayed on the top of the gear stick using a series of lines and numbers.

Can I drive a manual car with an automatic licence?

In the UK, around 90 per cent of driving tests are still passed in manual cars. If you take your driving test in an automatic car, you’re not qualified to drive a manual car. This means that you would be breaking the law if you drove a manual car on a ‘Category B auto’ driving licence.

If you want to drive a manual car at a later date, you’ll need to re-sit your test. However, if you pass your test in a manual car, you’ll be able to drive both manual and automatic cars from the date that you pass.

How many manual and automatic cars are there in the UK?

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, around 70 per cent of the 31.7 million cars on UK roads are manuals. However, last year over half (54 per cent) of new cars sold in the UK were automatic, compared to around 20 per cent a decade ago. Automatics are becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Are manuals cheaper to insure?

Manual cars tend to be cheaper to insure than automatic cars for several reasons. One of the main reasons, though, is that manual cars typically have less expensive and complex equipment in their transmission box than automatic cars. This means that the cost of repairs is usually lower and the value of the vehicle at point of purchase is often less than an automatic car.

Why are automatic cars more expensive to insure?

Automatic cars are more expensive to insure because they are usually more expensive to purchase than manual cars. This means they tend to have a higher market value.

They also are more expensive to repair due to intricate transmission equipment. As this impacts how much you will pay in insurance costs, this is one of the reasons why automatics are more expensive to insure than manuals.

When will manual cars be phased out?

As the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2035 in the UK, manufacturers are prioritising electric powertrains in their models. As all electric cars have automatic transmission, this will mean that they naturally phase out from market as more electric models become available.

Why do manual cars stall?

Manual cars stall due to driver error. Stalling a manual car usually occurs when the driver comes up too quickly off the clutch. This will result in the clutch engaging too early, and the Revolutions per Minute (RPM) being too low.

Where can I test-drive an automatic car?

Browse our stock of automatic cars. Once you've found the car you like, you can call your nearest branch - or submit an enquiry and we can arrange an appointment for you to test-drive the car.

Conclusion

If you are a new driver, choosing automatic could make the driving experience much smoother and straightforward. If you are an experienced driver, you will know that choosing a manual and driving it efficiently can be fantastic for fuel economy.

Ultimately, your lifestyle, personal preferences and budget will determine which is better for you when choosing between an automatic or manual car.