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   Understand the basics. Just like that of a manual transmission, the automatic transmission’s primary job is to allow the engine to operate in its narrow range of speeds while providing a wide range of output speeds. Without a transmission, cars would be limited to one gear ratio, and that ratio would have to be selected to allow the car to travel at the desired top speed.

   • If you wanted a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h elsewhere), then the gear ratio would be similar to fourth gear in most cars with a manual gearbox. Chances are, you’ve probably never tried driving a manual car using only fourth gear. If you did, you would quickly find out that you had almost no acceleration when starting out. A car like this would wear out very quickly and would not be driveable.
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   Consider power. If you want the most power from your engine, going with a manual transmission is most likely going to be your best bet. While some modern automatic transmissions, i.e. CVT transmissions, manumatics, and conventional 4 or 5-speed automatic transmissions allow for some excellent acceleration, there is still usually a substantial difference in 0-60 times between these types of automatics and a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission.

   • For example, an automatic equipped Dodge Neon has a reported 0–60 MPH time of approximately 10.5 seconds. The same Neon when equipped with a 5-speed manual has a reported 0 – 60 time of 8.1 seconds; a huge difference. While most cars do not have this large of a 0 – 60 MPH gap between auto and manual transmissions, 99% of the time you will receive noticeably better performance from a manual gearbox.
   • Acceleration with manual transmission is usually superior for a number of reasons, most predominantly gear ratios and the availability of more precise shifting. To explain, if you own a car that receives 200 horsepower at 7,000 RPM, but your automatic transmission will up-shift under full throttle at only 6,000 RPM, you probably will never feel the full amount of power that your engine was made to offer. So, your engine may be stamped with a 200 horsepower rating, but because your car is equipped with an automatic that up-shifts too soon, you may be missing up to 20% of available power. On the other side, with most manual transmissions, you can usually take the engine revs to the red line or past it. This enables you to get the most power possible to the front, rear, or all four wheels under full throttle take-offs.
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   Consider semi-automatic transmission. If you want a car for power, but someone also uses it for everyday, consider a semi-automatic transmission. These transmissions are called different names from one manufacturer to another. Usually, they’re found on the sport models. Basically, they are an automatic transmission with the option to go manual. If you go into manual mode, it won’t be the common gearshift with five options, but one with a + on the top and a – on the bottom. You push the shifter towards the […]

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