Manual transmissions

Mike Hoxbig said:
That's a single clutch transmission on an entry level car. The box on that is likely to be similar to the old autos, hence the higher consumption.

Newer DCT boxes are way more efficient than before, and in many cases, more economical than the equivalent manual...
Click to expand...

Okay, I understand now. I agree, I drive a ancient 2012 Kuga 2.5T 5-speed Auto.
 
supersunbird said:
You'd need to step on the brake continuously to keep this "continuous crawl following distance" you are advocating, and thus you'd need to pay attention to the clutch too.
Click to expand...
No you don't, just easing of the fuel is almost always enough if someone cuts in. And you don't need to use the clutch everytime you brake a little bit. You are doing it wrong.
 
I honestly don't see the need for manual transmissions no more.

I have been driving manual for over 20 years. Beginning of this year bought my first Auto. I will never go Manual again unless I have a choice. The Isuzu is still manual, but when I change that it will be an auto bakkie too.
 
most countries these days use auto, hard to even find people that still teach one to drive a manual car.
as its a lot easier to learn on an auto and most people prefer the easiest way to drive.

most manual cars tend to be sport vehicles, or cheapie cars, or ones with tiny engines, 0.8 litre chery qq ect...

whats easier? depends where one drives mostly, in traffic, its a no brainer, auto all the way
but not everybody has the same type of commute, and not everybody can afford to drive a new car.

most commercial bakkies are still Manual, and most entry level cars, that the majority learn to drive with.
are still manual in SA at least.

I do agree with the way its done here locally, learn on a manual car, once you have mastered that,
then you can drive an "easier" auto car.
 
Moneywaster said:
I also like to get to top gear as soon as possible. Driving downhill on a lazy Sunday with a manual transmission it is so easy, but with an auto you do need to reach a minimum speed before it changes gear.
Then, I have only a 5 speed auto box. Perhaps if it was one of the latest 8 speed auto boxes it would have worked better for me.
Click to expand...
The 7-speed DSGs work well in this respect. My gearbox has literally become an old man - in 7th at 80kms per hour. Learnt my driving habit on my daily commute so well - atleast it feels like it has learnt it.
 
I tried driving my auto in 'manual' with the paddles and on the daily commute I can't beat the auto box on fuel efficiency without a lot of effort.

But next trip to KZN and those paddles will come out :whistling:
 
I got a proper dual clutch 6 years ago when i got married, as the mrs doesnt drive manual. I didnt want to have to swop cars all the time, so whatever i bought, she must be able to drive... 6 years on, and my second dual clutch. I can never go back to manual. we collectively on our 4th dual clutch vehicles now. Also, fart noises.
 
I.am.Sam said:
the only scary part about the new auto boxes is when it breaks ...your pockets break

where as with a manual you can get away with the fix for way less ..if it does break
Click to expand...
always the main issue, how much are you willing to spend?

also how reliable do you need the car?
 
I.am.Sam said:
the only scary part about the new auto boxes is when it breaks ...your pockets break

where as with a manual you can get away with the fix for way less ..if it does break
Click to expand...

Want to know what it would cost to fix a manual transmission?

I recently priced it for my relatively simple five speed box..... just shy of R15k for Recon stuff... don't even WANT to know what a new box would have cost....
 
mattrudlles said:
I tried driving my auto in 'manual' with the paddles and on the daily commute I can't beat the auto box on fuel efficiency without a lot of effort.

But next trip to KZN and those paddles will come out :whistling:
Click to expand...

My Kuga also have a manual mode. But it does not work as I would like it to. For example when you drive at 60km/h even if you want to put it into top gear manually, it refuses. So now I never use the manual mode anymore, as what is the point if it does not listen to you.
But on the highway, I like to use manual mode. The car has power to spare so to overtake in top gear. But if you want it not to shift down manual mode is the way to go with this car on the high way.
 
eg2505 said:
always the main issue, how much are you willing to spend?

also how reliable do you need the car?
Click to expand...

The scary thing is, the majority of performance cars are becoming EXCLUSIVELY automatic, so if you a driving enthusiast, and have the budget. 9/10 times you have to deal with the fact that everything is going auto/dualclutch.

That being said, our first two cars (VW and AUDI) both did 100 000kms each without a hitch. Though i was aware of the risk, and both had 5 years MPs
 
Moneywaster said:
My Kuga also have a manual mode. But it does not work as I would like it to. For example when you drive at 60km/h even if you want to put it into top gear manually, it refuses. So now I never use the manual mode anymore, as what is the point if it does not listen to you.
But on the highway, I like to use manual mode. The car has power to spare so to overtake in top gear. But if you want it not to shift down manual mode is the way to go with this car on the high way.
Click to expand...

Different cars do "manual mode" differently. With my VW, it was never true manual, as it will auto upshift for you. My current car will hit the limiter in manual in race mode.
 
Moneywaster said:
My Kuga also have a manual mode. But it does not work as I would like it to. For example when you drive at 60km/h even if you want to put it into top gear manually, it refuses. So now I never use the manual mode anymore, as what is the point if it does not listen to you.
But on the highway, I like to use manual mode. The car has power to spare so to overtake in top gear. But if you want it not to shift down manual mode is the way to go with this car on the high way.
Click to expand...

I've noticed that it does stop you changing gears up or down. My gear box has never forcibly changed up for me in manual, but I have noticed that it will change down when I am slowing down a lot - say to under 40kms per hour.

The sequential gear box takes getting used to though? I really didn't enjoy it in the beginning - felt like I was learning to drive all over again.
 
Switched to automatic last year, have a normal drive mode, a sport mode and a manual mode, its in normal drive mode 90% of the time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X