When you are about to buy a car, the single factor which may confuse you a lot is that whether to choose an automatic or manual transmission.

However both automatic and manual transmission has its own merits and de-merits. Most of the people, especially those in U.S. prefer to drive an automatic transmission. This is mainly because it is easy to operate. But you have to sacrifice on your mileage when you opt for an automatic transmission. On the other hand when you choose a manual transmission you’ll get enough power and mileage but is hard to operate especially when you are driving with in the city limits.

Let us check out the pros and cons of both the transactions

Automatic transmission

Merits

If you have ever driven a car with automatic transmission, then you can easily understand the difference between an automatic and manual transmission. The two major aspects in which an automatic transmission differs from a manual one is that

• An automatic transmission does not have a clutch pedal.
• You do not have to make any gear shifts. Just put the transmission in drive and the rest will be done automatically.

Though automatic as well as manual transmission performs the same task, the ways they function differ totally from each other. The different sets of gear will be locked and unlocked in a manual transmission in order to achieve the various gear ratios whereas in an automatic transmission same set of gear produces various gear ratios with the help of a device called planetary gearset.

The primary benefit of having an automatic transmission is that it is very easy to operate, especially for those who hate frequent gear shifts. It is a boon for the drivers particularly when they are caught in a traffic jam. Since the automatic transmission does not have a clutch pedal your left foot will remain free and you can use your both hands on the steering.

De-merits

The drawback of having an automatic transmission is that it consumes comparatively more fuel than a manual transmission. Most of the automatic cars have only four gears where as manual cars have five gears. This means that the engine in automatic cars have to work harder to equalize the power produced by manual cars especially while driving at higher speeds. As a result the engine in the automatic car will wear out quickly.

Moreover the maintenance cost of automatic cars is comparatively higher than the manual cars. Suppose if the transmission got repaired it is quite expensive to replace it. Also the life of the automatic cars is comparatively lesser than the manual car. When compared cost wise, automatic transmission will be definitely $1000 higher than the manual transmission.

Manual transmission

In a manual transmission you have to change the gear now and then according to the situation. In order to achieve different gear ratios, the manual transmission locks and unlocks different set of gears.

Merits

When compared cost wise manual transmission is cheaper than the automatic transmission. Moreover it is fuel efficient as it saves 10% of fuel compared to automatic transmission. The maintenance cost of manual cars is cheaper as the spares of it are not complicated and are easily available. You will have the feeling of control of your.

The engine of a manual car will last long when compared to automatic cars. The engine of an automatic transmission is coupled with a torque converter, which consumes more engine power where as in a manual transmission the engine is coupled with a clutch so that it can use the engine power effectively. More over manual transmission gives you the sensation of riding a race car. That is why most of the sports cars are having manual transmission. Manual transmission requires full attention of the driver while riding the car and therefore the chances of getting accident are very low.

De-merits

It is difficult to operate when compared to automatic transmission especially at the time of traffic jams.

Thus whether you choose automatic or manual that doesn’t matter, the situation and the make of the car matters. If you are living in the city and want to take the car to the office it is better to go for an automatic transmission. If you are having an Audi or Cobra, then it should be of manual transmission in order to feel the power of your car. Also if you are living in a hilly terrain where the land gets muddy when rains, then a manual transmission will suit you rather than an automatic one.