Easier to drive a manual than automatic?
 

Me and my wife have had automatic cars for the last 4 years. So my wife was surprised when I got a manual transmission car. But she said something that I've never heard any say before.

Because she learned on a stickshift and never drove an automatic until 4 years ago, she is very comfortable with stick. Not just comfortable. She says it is easier to drive a manual than an automatic.

She can't explain herself other than to say she feels more in control of the car. I can say that she completely panics driving in the hills of San Francisco in an automatic and says she would be more comfortable driving hills in a manual.:confused: That really confuses me because it is so easy to prevent an automatic from moving backwards on a hill, that it would only take about 5 seconds to learn. But she refuses to learn it and says she could easily do it in a manual.

Anyway, I was just wondering if you think it is easier to drive a stick than a manual.

On hills... I agree. It's much easier to drive a manual than an automatic. It's not going up the hill, it's coming down where I feel way more control in a manual.

EDIT: Going up the hill, it's just experience and comfort with the car that makes me feel totally comfortable. I rarely roll backward any farther than I intend to on any given hill.

I've owned both, and I agree, I like a manual transmission much better. When I had an auto I kept reaching for the stick. In the hills, going up and down seem much easier.

Personally, I would never question a woman as to how they figure working a clutch / gas while stopped on an uphill is easier than letting your foot off the brake and applying gas in an AT.
"Right dear, I understand you" (at least I get the manual 6 speed)

How can a manual be easier to drive then an auto? A manual has twice the number of controls and requires a more complex manipulation.

i agree with the more control comments, but as far as simplicity i would say operating 2 pedals is a lot simpler than 3. its really a matter of experience, if someone learn how to drive in manual car theyre just naturally use to stick shift cars and vice versa with the automatic.

the auto has less control when going downhill because you can't really engine brake.

however, if you manually select a lower gear, you can do the same.

I don't see how a manual would be easier. That's like saying linux is easier than windows. Sure you can have more control, but that doesn't mean it's easier.

the only cars ive owned/learn to drive on were manual, and i think its mostly a comfort level. In my head driving a manual transmission even with maneuvers like heel toe, and rev matching, are automatic to me. I don't think about how im shifting, i just do it. In an automatic (rental cars and such) im in very unfamiliar surroundings and the response i get from the car is not the same, everything is delayed, nothing happens when it is supposed to. This is why its easier for me to drive manual, im just comfortable with it as opposed to being unknowledgeable (automatic)

I think for the beginner driver, everyone is right. Auto is easier. Drive a stick for 5, 10, 15+ years and it just becomes second nature. I have an easier time modulating speed, and controlling the vehicle all around with a manual. When I drive our MDX I often find myself trying to figure out how to get the thing to slow down without jacking around with the gear selector. After all it's an "automatic." Actually. I think I just figured it out. I think that when I jump into an auto I just expect the thing to know what I want, rather than me adapt my driving style to it. Hmmm... You learn something new every day.

On a side note, our MDX does handle hills kinda niftily. If you're coasting down a hill, and tap the brakes, it drops a couple gears and attempts to maintain the current speed so I don't have to play with the goofy gear lever.

I guess I expect to have to shift gears in a manual so I feel like I have more control. But I don't expect to have to do anything in an auto so I feel like it's not doing what I want it to.

I need a drink.

I only find the Automatic harder to drive if I haven't driven one in about a month or so. After getting used to M/T, driving an A/T is confusing. When I stop, I tend to look for the clutch and I get startled when I realize it isn't there! Then as I am anticipating the green light, I tend to release the brake earlier and prepare for my gas pedal. In the A/T, this makes the car move forward (which I would find unusual now coz my M/T doesn't do that). When I am attacking a corner, it's tough to train my mind not to go for the shifter when driving the A/T. This is because on the M/T, a stick moved up means shifting to 3rd. On the A/T, a stick moved up means shifting to neutral or (worse) reverse ;)

I have made the mistake of slamming on the brake with my left foot looking for the clutch while driving an automatic.

An auto is easier to drive, but I have several issues with them. First off, like others have said before, I don't feel in control when I am driving. It feels like the car is driving me rather then me driving the car.

The second issue I have is it is easier to get distracted or loose one's concentration. This is especially true in an era full of cell phones, PDAs, navagation, etc. When your driving a manual you have to know what is going on with the car or the car will let you know (stalling, over revving, etc.).

Manual transmission is MUCH better in ice/snow. You don't have to worry that there is going to be a balance upsetting shift that catches you unawares, and you can use engine braking as a gentle way to slow down.

cueball brings up some good points when it comes to distractions. My wife had an A/T car for a while and when ever I drove I it felt..., bored. So I would end up futzing with stuff more than in my Accord which was M/T. I think my opinion is also based on muscle memory, on my cross country drive in the A/T, I kept reaching down to shift :(

Ture, there are times when a manual would be much more convenient to drive under certain circumstances, but I definitely would have to say an automatic is much easier to drive overall. More boring, but more easy. Also, I'd have to disagree with your wife. I definitely find driving an automatic on hills easier than a manual, but to each his own. :D

going down hill a manual is easier... going uphill automatic. i like manual better and cant go back to driving auto. i love the feeling of having more control over a car. i mean you get to select wat gear your in and it's just comfortable knowing i have more control over my car. plus u save gas! well not in the rx8 at least

I think it's a ton easier to drive a manual. I learned on one, which is probably why i like them more...When i drive my friends cars *most are auto's* it's really jerky b/c i'm use to having to drive it a certain way..not to mention i'm always looking for the clutch and something to shift...I donno..i wouldn't ever own an auto unless my legs were cut off or something...even at that...it would be hard to make me get an auto..i'd figure out some way to drive it!

so i guess this means it is easier to pedal a bicycle while going downhill instead of just coasting, or maybe that a television would be easier to operate without a remote? "Stick" people must really hate autos, the things they come up with lol :)

there is no way you can come up with an argument for the advantages of an automatic over a manual transmission in terms of driving...but just for posterity id like to see the attempt

Really??

I taught a young lady (absolutely SWEET) to drive a car with AT. WHY??

SHE IS A PARAPLEGIC

She loves to drive and now she can with hand controls.

Not eveyone is as lucky as us.

:) :)

that's one heckuva attempt (heh)

in all seriousness however, just as it gets old reading about 50 kuh-jilliion threads on how the EVO and STI are just the coolest cars in the world and how our 8 sucks blah balh blah, I also get sick of the auto bashing and how hugemongous a difference the 6 speed makes and how much better it is and how inferior driving an auto is blah blah blah so I poked a little fun. I've ridden in a 6 speed Rx8, 6 speed heavily turboed Jetta, and a 5 speed Detomaso Pantera and if you ask me, those cars wouldn't have been any less bad ass with an auto so.......could we maybe just agree to disagree or something? yeeesh give it a rest already (heh)

im just making the point performance wise there is no question, and when you buy a car like the rx8 you buy it for performance. the only transmission that can be qualified as automatic that matches or surpasses a manual is the F1 gearbox on the ferrari enzo (modena as well i think)...and this happens to be a computer controlled clutch (manual without the pedal). i mean automatic is perfectly fine for anyone who wants to get from point a to point b, but driving isnt fun unless you are in complete control of everything ( i kinda wish we didnt have ABS).

The lady doesnt have anRX8- she has a 330i BMW with AT.
The point is that cars with At Can be fun. I have driven MT for a long time but my preference does not necessarily nean thatonly MT drivers can enjoy
:D

Re: Easier to drive a manual than automatic?
 

That's *exactly* what my wife said too when we were shopping for her car.

I suggested that she get an auto since she does mostly stop-and-go driving, but she insisted the manual gave her more confidence. She says the manual is more relaxing since she doesn't have to try and anticipate when the car will decide to change gears for her. It's "easier" in that sense.

i was making a global point not one specifically in response to yours...a paraplegic can't drive a stick or an AT normally so getting a special system installed in a car in order to give someone the freedom to drive that couldnt do it before is liberating and awesome.

But to hit the point i wanted to make home, in general given a choice between identical vehicles except for the transmission assuming nothing else, i dont see why one would not pick the MT thats all.