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Why do British people have such a dim view of Automatic cars? (feddit.uk)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've been driving an automatic since I passed nearly a decade ago. In that time whenever I tell anyone I drive auto, it's usually met with some level of derision. I think that attitude is changing, but I'm still kind of confused by it in the first place.

Why?

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

My point is that if you're a manual driver and you don't care about the 0-60 time, then all you gotta do is slow down the clutch release so that the clutch spends... I dunno, half-a-second engaging the engine, rather than quarter-a-second or faster. Slowing down the clutch-release (erm, re-engaging the engine) smooths out the acceleration, is easy on your parts, and barely affects your acceleration times.

Its only a problem in 0-60 drag races when you're literally trying to beat everyone else off the line. But if you're just doing day-to-day relaxed driving... just take it easy. Its not like you're flooring the car anyway.

I personally always like to try to time the RPM decrease such that I can instantly lift off my leg from the pedal as quickly as possible, because I like having a little skill minigame when driving. (Matching RPMs with the speed of my car for smoother shifts, and more instant engagements). But that's really not necessary.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

I mean, my gripe is more about the lack of power on the wheels. It's less about the time it takes to re-engage the clutch, more the overall time the clutch is disengaged. I want to accelerate briskly (not flooring it) and then cruise at a steady speed, to achieve maximum fuel efficiency. A good automatic handles this very well, and generally makes driving easier and more relaxed. Sure, changing gear manually and getting the clutch right can be fun, but it's objectively a worse way of doing things.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Dropping 250lbs and removing the torque converter (~2% loss alone) will do more for overall fuel efficiency for your car than anything those automatic transmissions can do.

Yeah, I get that computers + improved automatic modes of transmission control (ex: CVTs or Dual Clutch Transmissions) can improve engagement times. And the removal of the wet-clutch/slushbox of automatic transmissions grossly improves efficiency. But these units are still heavier in practice than a dumb, manual clutch.

I don't think any automatic transmission beats a manual in efficient driving yet. Because weight is king. Automatics (at least, DCTs and CVTs) are finally reaching the response times of a manual transmission by having more direct connection of accelerator pedal to the engine... but the weight issue, cost-issue are still there.

At least modern transmissions basically never brake down anymore. (CVTs, Dual Clutch, and more are all basically going to last the whole lifetime of a typical car).

[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago

Tbf the whole argument is basically moot with electric vehicles taking over.