For example, a car with a manual transmission is harder to get under way when stopped on an uphill (although many these days come with a helpful hill-holder feature).
Manual transmission cars manuals#
Manuals require more skill and experience to operate well.They are found mainly on small cars and sports cars. Manual transmissions are available on only a relatively few models, which narrows your choices.Of course, there are other disadvantages to buying a stick: (The basic Sonic we tested was a sedan the turbocharged, manual-transmission LTZ was a hatchback.) Cheaper cars, such as the Hyundai Accent and Mazda2, all got better mileage with a stick shift. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Sonic got better mileage with its six-speed manual transmission, even with its turbocharged engine, than it did with the base engine and six-speed automatic transmission. We saw the same effect with the Ford Fiesta with its basic 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine. In a few cases, however, the latest automatic-transmission designs, including six-speed automatics, actually surpass their manual counterparts.įor example, the Mazda3 i gets one more mpg with its six-speed automatic than its six-speed manual, largely because the automatic has taller gearing, so the engine revs slower on the highway, using less gas. In most, we found the manual delivered better mpg overall. We have bought several sets of test cars of different types with both manual transmission and automatic transmissions and run them through our fuel-economy and acceleration tests. And many drivers find driving with a stick more engaging and fun.
That can be a welcome benefit with a smaller engine. Manual transmissions often can also improve acceleration, sometimes significantly. In our tests, we've found that in some cars a manual transmission can improve gas mileage by a significant 2 to 5 mpg, compared with an automatic, and can cut a car's price by $800 to $1,200.
In your quest for better fuel economy and more value, don't overlook the potential benefits of shifting yourself.
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