The ManicaPost
The transmission in your car connects the engine to the wheels — the piece that transmits the power.
Like a bicycle, it has multiple gears appropriate to different speeds, inclines, and driving conditions.
Automatic transmissions change gears for you automatically based on driving conditions, meaning you never have to think about which gear to use.
If you drive a manual transmission, you choose which gear to use and when to shift.
Automatic transmission technology has improved over the decades, making some of the old arguments against it obsolete.
If you’re considering a manual transmission — or you’re a stick shift lover and wondering if you should switch to automatic — it comes down more to what kind of driver you are and what type of experience you want.
Pros of manual transmission
More engaging
The number one reason to choose a stick shift is that you like the feeling of being engaged with the car.
You have more to do, and drivers who enjoy being behind the wheel often feel that manual transmissions are more fun than automatic ones.
More control
Choosing which gear to use gives you more control over the ride.
A skilled stick shift driver can provide a very smooth ride, limit the car’s speed in adverse conditions, and more.
Vehicle security
With fewer manual transmission vehicles on the road and automatics becoming more common, stick shift vehicles may be less desirable as targets for car theft.
Cons of manual transmission
More work
A stick shift requires more attention and physical effort to drive, especially in heavy traffic or hilly areas. If you take long trips or do a lot of city driving, you may see driving a stick as a hassle.
Trouble finding a car
Today, very few new cars in Zimbabwe offer a manual option.
That means you’ll have to choose from a limited selection or look at older models.
Difficulty lending or sharing a car
Not everyone knows how to operate a stick shift.
A manual transmission can be a lousy fit where you expect multiple drivers, like families with driving-age children, to use the vehicle.
Automatic transmission pros
More convenient
For most people, the learning curve for driving an automatic transmission is more approachable.
Press the accelerator and go without worrying about shifting or evaluating which gear to use.
Lots of options
Nearly every car in production is offered with an automatic transmission, meaning you have your choice of vehicles.
Less tiring
Because an automatic transmission requires less input from the driver, they are typically less tiring to drive, especially in situations like city driving that require lots of shifting.
Automatic transmission cons
Less fun
For those interested in performance driving or who like the feeling of control behind the wheel, trading control for convenience may not be worthwhile.
More complicated to repair
Automatic transmissions are more mechanically complex than manuals and may require more expensive maintenance over time. — www.progressive.com.
