Why do you drive an automatic (unless you don't)?

[tumnasgt]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

The definition of manual and automatic is getting cloudy with the new dual clutch 6 speed automatics, which are actually manual transmissions with computerized clutching and shifting. I think some car company (may have been a tranny manufacturer) just came out with a 9 speed auto.

I agree that a lot of work is going into these things, I like what I'm seeing in DSGs and CVTs that keep the TC locked up most of the time.

But I'm not as keen on the trend of adding heaps of gears, as it doesn't seem to make all that much difference compared to having 4 or 5 well chosen gears, as TC lockups are still unlocked most of the time except on the highway. In my opinion it's just as dumb as having a 5 speed manual that still does well over 3000rpm at 60mph, when virtually all engines these days would be able to travel fine at 60 at around 2000rpm, and then people can just change down to 4th if they need some extra power.

[Frank Lee]

^Exactly. I skip-shift my 5-speed m/t all the time so I conclude that a 3-speed would work just as well, and perhaps even more efficiently due to not having the extra spinning/meshing gearsets.

I have two vehicles equipped with 2-speed a/ts; they work well and I think would be awesome with lock-up converters.

[nemo]

In my opinion it's just as dumb as having a 5 speed manual that still does well over 3000rpm at 60mph, when virtually all engines these days would be able to travel fine at 60 at around 2000rpm, and then people can just change down to 4th if they need some extra power.

Sound like my wife's ZX2. Even she thinks it need a higher gear on the highway.

[user removed]

I drove the Altima home last night on the Interstate after meeting up with my brothers for a meal. 70 MPH is 2200 RPM. The highest ratio in the CVT is .50 overdrive.

I always liked a 5 speed with max rev shift points at 30-60-90-120 with a 5th top speed (theoretical) at 150. That means you are at 50% of redline at 75 MPH.

I just like the CVT because at 60 years age, I can't trust my senses like I did a long time ago and comfort and situational awareness are essential for safe driving around here. I hope to push 40 MPG in the Altima when I get the technique perfected. When it went back on the road after being totalled and rebuilt, it had not been on any road for almost a year.

Currently on prescription vicodin for arthritis in the thumb joints and various other aches and pains makes shifting uncomfortable at times. Although the pain is not that bad, when you can't get a decent nights sleep the cumulative effects can be very dangerous.

regards
Mech

[slowmover]

Yup, driving is different after age 45. Cumulative insults. And injuries are magnified. I've thought about a HD clutch for my truck to sort of "up" the off-line performance with a heavy load, but my back and knees disagree . . . I hope there's an Autoshift type trans for a pickup by the time I really need it.

Enjoyed the DD story above. I learned to drive stick in a '66 Ford van with the mighty I6-240 between the seats and a bolt action 3-speed: the bosses vehicle.

[YukonCornelius]

My Cobra's have all been manual(it's the only way they are made) At this point I wouldnt buy a performance car with an auto. For a daily I would pick auto every time. You can multitask while driving, you aren't wearing out your knee, if you go out drinking and a dd has to drive your car there's a good chance they can't drive stick, same thing goes for an emergency and the stick driver is too injured to drive.

[ps2fixer]

Mine is auto due to being cheap priced (city beater) and I was looking for an exact year range and model (93 to around 2000 corolla)

MPG figures on the EPA site is only off 1mpg for auto vs manual with my 1.8L engine and 4 speed trans with lockup.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by SVTwithMPG

...You can multitask while driving...

And that is a bad thing.

[ProDarwin]

I specifically bought an auto appliance this time because:

A) No issues with letting someone else borrow it
B) I have a very stop and go commute, and take this car to the city
C) It keeps me from modifying the car. Manuals are fun, and if I have a manual, I usually end up modifying the car. I wanted to keep one as a stock beater, so I chose something I don't enjoy driving - strictly appliance.

Didn't vote, because I've had more than one car for a long time, and one (or more) is always manual. Right now the beater Saturn Sl2 is auto, the S2000 is a manual.

[gone-ot]

...does anybody *know* what the friction losses are between a CVT and a 6-speed DDCT?

...trains achieve very LOW rolling friction with their steel wheels on steel tracks, so one would assume (I know, I know) similar results from a CVT, but that's not so. Why?