The 5 biggest myths about manual transmissions. Though once they were facts

The growing popularity of automatic transmissions means that advocates of the "only right" manuals are using arguments that can already be turned into fairy tales. Here are 5 of them, which a dozen years ago could be considered facts, but today they are closer to myths.

Myth 1. Manual control gives better performance.

This was the case in the past when automatic transmissions were driven by a torque converter (transformer or torque converter). The principle of operation of such a clutch had the great advantage of an uninterrupted transmission of torque from the engine to the gearbox, which increased productivity. However, the biggest drawback is the slip that occurs in such a converter, which in turn leads to significant torque losses. And this reduces performance. The balance between them was usually unfavorable - the losses were so great that the way the machine worked did not compensate for them.

In practice, however, even older machines did not degrade performance in the slightest., but only in certain situations - when the optimal gear is engaged or when starting acceleration from a standstill. For the average driver, effective use of the manual was often so difficult that the result was a car that "on paper" (read under better conditions) gave the worst acceleration times, in practice, it turned out to be faster than the driver, who shifted gears manually.

Today, it would be even more difficult for a driver, even an excellent driver, to manage a manual transmission in such a way as to achieve at least the same acceleration times as automatic transmissions. This is for two reasons. Firstly, no more torque lossbecause in not very strong machines, the boxes are usually two-key, and at a strong moment there are too many of them, so even no losses are embarrassing here.

According to others modern automatics shift gears as quickly as a driver could. Even in dual clutch systems, clutch shift times are unattainable for a driver with a manual transmission. And although on paper some models have worse acceleration with a gun, in reality it will be difficult to achieve this. On the other hand, many cars, especially sports cars, do not system startup controlwhich with an automatic transmission gives an incomparably better start than the most experienced driver could achieve with a manual transmission.

Myth 2. With mechanics, the car burns less

This has been the case in the past, and it basically boils down to what I wrote above in the first paragraph. There is also the fact that automatic transmissions put a lot of stress on the engine when stationary (constant engagement) and often had fewer gears.

Modern machines, even with a torque converter, are free from the shortcomings of the previous generation gearboxes, and moreover, they have locks that prevent slipping during acceleration. They almost always have more gears, which optimizes the operation of the engine in the range of its best speed. It also often happens that The last gear ratio of an automatic transmission is much higher than that of a manual transmission. As if that weren't enough, dual clutch transmissions have normal clutches, more gears, and shift times are hard to even determine (minor fractions of a second). To achieve combustion similar to that of an automatic transmission in a manual transmission car, you must use brutal eco-driving and stick to it all the time. Or maybe not work.

Myth 3. Manual transmissions break down less often and are cheaper

Again, we can say that in most cars it was like this before, when the average repair of an automatic transmission cost thousands of zlotys, and a manual gearbox could, in the worst case, be replaced with a used one for several hundred. Today it can be seen in two ways.

The first way is through the prism of design. Although automatic transmissions have a shorter lifespan than before (usually 200-300 km), manual transmissions made from energy-efficient materials are also less durable. They often last shorter, and, in addition, require replacement of the clutch and dual-mass flywheel during operation. The cost of such a replacement in many models, especially less popular ones, is comparable to repairing a car.

The second way is through the prism of the search for savings. Well, like manual transmissions, vending machines can also be replaced in the worst case with used ones, because their popularity is growing, so there are more parts too. As time goes by, more specialized and good factories that repair vending machines appear, so prices become more and more competitive. However, here again, one can additionally mention the clutch assembly with a dual-mass flywheel in a manual gearbox, which should not be replaced with used ones. Given this, the cost of repair and maintenance of the machine and manual transmission are similar.

Myth 4. Manual transmissions do not require maintenance

It seems that cars are looked after more and this is the kind of car that you need to be able to manage so as not to destroy it. Meanwhile modern automatic transmissions are completely "reliable", especially with an electronic joystick. As if that wasn't enough, they only require an oil change. On the other hand, manual transmissions, in addition to replacing the clutch and a two-mass wheel, also require an oil change, which few drivers remember.

A somewhat specific type of automatic transmission is the dual-clutch transmission, which is… in fact the most expensive to maintain. Not only does it require an oil change, but also - just like a mechanical one - it often requires a replacement mass flywheel and two clutches instead of one.

Myth 5. Manual transmissions are more resistant to heavy loads

This argument has been a myth for 20 years, and even more in relation to American cars. Let me tell you a few facts about cars and you will understand what a myth is.

• The heaviest SUVs and pickup trucks with powerful engines (especially American ones), which are "workhorses" designed to tow heavy trailers, most often have automatic transmissions.
• SUVs with the most powerful engines have only automatic transmissions.
• The most powerful cars in the world, produced today and even since about 2010, almost always have automatic transmissions.
• Hypercars made after 2000 have automatic transmissions.
• The vast majority of modern sports cars over 500 hp. (often over 400 hp) have automatic transmissions.
• To be closer to the details: The first Audi RS 6 received a Tiptronic automatic transmission because the manual transmission was not found strong enough. The BMW M5 (E60) was offered with a semi-automatic transmission, and the next generation only with an automatic transmission, due to the lack of a sufficiently stable manual transmission.