Auto vs Manual

[as0l0]

Originally Posted by bismark

Diesel menual is the way to go if you are going off Road, 1) You are in control not the auto 2) try to pull any Auto back to the blacktop and you most likly demaged the auto (autos don't like to be pulled) 3) Fuel consumtion. I have got the JK CRD renegade Manual over 1 week now fuel consumtion wen't down from 13.1 to 11.5 L/Km drive the Jeep mainly with the front roof open even with 110Km you still can play the radio.

that's what I wanted to hear Thanks mate.

Well, apart from the diesel bit, since the rubi doesn't have diesel.

[TJ4LIFE]

yea suck the rubi isnt in diesel strange either way u go u will have fun and the auto u do have controll im forever being told auto`s cant go down hill load of s^*T really

[drewinmanx]

diesels are def better offroad. auto or manual depends on ya type of terain you plan on driving. steep downhills are more controlable in a manual but for most of the rest an auto is better. allways in right gear, smooth changes better for sand and contollable in slow going, rocks etc. as for towing yes autos dont like it so stick ya transfer case in neutral and problem over. oh and you cant push start an auto if you get a flay battery.
cheers Drew

[Tasar]

Cannot comment on diesel as wrangler hasn't had one before now
Petrol 4l

Manual - benefits -
Downhills in 1st and 2nd gear really good
Fuel economy much better
Downsides
uphills must pick gear at the bottom

Auto
Benefits
better uphills
easier to drive
bad side
runs away down hills - need to learn techniques
fuel economy

[odelay]

It's an interesting debate.
I know some people who won't drive anything other than a manual and look down on autos. But the development of auto gearbox technology has come a long way in the last decade or so to the point where sometimes the auto performs better than its manual counterpart (refer ford ZF auto box).

I spent a lot of time in stop-start Sydney traffic and I personally don't want the extra stress of a manual in these conditions. And from a safety point of view the more time both your hands are on the steering wheel, the better.

There probably are a few advantages to manuals as stated above but its about compromising for convenience like a lot of other technology. Look at the photographic industry, film still has a wider colour range than digital but most people now use digital for convenience.

[Tasar]

Odelay - your not being far on the development of the manual box - most good manual boxes are 6 speeds and most auto boxes over 4 speed are tiptronic (manual boxes with auto override)

Most cars in Europe are manual - nearly all in the states are autos
the grand prix guys develop the boxes and the car manufactures adapt them use them

it all comes to return and what the car co's can charge - yes the stick manual is cheaper because it is lighter box - but I wouldn't call driving a manual a compromise over convenience - its a compromise over being lazy - remember the new technology is a manual box with an auto override ......

[drewinmanx]

After years of off road driving i too was "had to be a manual" guy but after trying an auto in sand and off road, gotta say in all but BLOODY steep descents the auto is tops. This is a generalisation for all makes tho. I have driven the diesel man JK unlimited and hate to say it i didnt like it! Round town you seem to be always changing gear and if you wanted to drive quick once it comes on the power the tach blasts accross the dial to way too many revs, great fun but prob not the best for longievity. Sure it would be great off road crawling but for me, who wants an everyday car, it would do my head in. So i've bit the bullet and ordered a diesel auto, shouold be in Oz in 5 weeks, wouldve preffered a Rubi but for alot of my driving petrol is unavailable and the increased economy of a diesel means i will have to spend the money i saved on not buying a Rubi on aftermarket diff locks.