Second Thoughts on Manual Transmission

[rapidredbronco2021]

it takes a little more concentration to properly drive a stick but in this day of self driving cars and 30 speed paddle shifter autos ill take the manual.

One of the main reasons I'm going with a manual, all that tech is cool but I rather be in command or have more control over the vehicle.

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[Efthreeoh]

I was in the manual camp until I found out my Ford Bronco would have a 4 cylinder engine. There is no way I would ever be happy with that. I can't imagine having this bad ass looking off road machine and then having to tell someone it has a 4 cylinder engine.

Here's an idea... don't tell anyone. 99% of people wouldn't understand the difference between an in-line 4-cylinder and a Vee-block 6-cylinder engine architecture anyway.

 

[Acuraman]

Just curious, I haven't owned a manual since my '87 AMC Wrangler. Do they all have "hill-holder" now?

 

[MacHudson]

You can always use the +/- function on the automatic gear shifter in order to manually shift down a gear or two if you hit a slope where you want more torque pronto.

But in stop and go traffic you’ll be condemned to shifting forever and always.

I live in a super dense area with traffic that is utter bullshit at most times and in most ways. That includes on some significant hills that I’m on weekly.

it’s also only $300 more for the automatic if you get the 2.7 engine, which I am.

And my wife does not drive stick.

For me, the automatic is a no-brainer “YES.”

 

[Efthreeoh]

The Bronco 10 speed has manual control when desired.

I've never really understood this argument as justification to accept the simulated shift action of a manumatic as a substitute. It's not the same as changing gears in an actual manual gear box. The precision is not near the same.

If the diss against a manual transmission is it's a "chore" because you have to pay attention to when to shift the transmission, or it occupies your hand so it can't do other stuff while driving, how does shifting the automatic manually change that? Is operating a foot clutch really that distracting or too much effort? Of the few manumatics I've driven in manual mode, what I find as a diehard manual driver, is downshifting is completely unnatural. The computer will not let the automatic stall the engine, so if you don't downshift the manumatic in city traffic, the computer takes over and downshifts for you. This is especially annoying when coming to a traffic light and you have to stop. What happens to me is because the manumatic unconsciously (to me) downshifts, my brain goes into "automatic" mode and I find I'm overrevving, as I forgot to upshift because the transmission is still in manual-mode and expects me to shift it manually. The act of not consciously putting the (manual) transmission in neutral while I wait for the light to turn green unplugs my brain from manual transmission mode, because I'm not fully interfacing with the vehicle.

So for me trying to adopt to using a manumatic in manual mode is frustrating. In city traffic, where real manuals seem to be a pain in the ass for people, I do not downshift through the gears as I approach a red traffic light, rather, I just drop the trans into neutral as I approach the intersection to stop. Downshifting a manual in city traffic to deal with stop-and-go or traffic lights just wears the clutch and most accomplished manual trans drivers do not downshift in city traffic like a racecar driver; they just drop the trans into neutral. Because the manumatic does downshift automatically in manual mode to keep the engine from stalling as the vehicle slows, manually shifting the manumatic is not representative of really driving a manual trans vehicle.

So it's a complete pain in the ass for someone like me because I have to concentrate more using a manumatic in manual mode in city traffic. Using a clutch in city traffic is an unconscious act and just a natural part of operating the vehicle.

Now, if we switch gears (pun intended) and desire to manually shift gears in a manumatic in sport driving, like on a traffic-unencumbered country road (which I do every day), having a clutch to operate the gear change is not a chore since it's done less frequently (than in city traffic) and at speed where throttle-clutch coordination is less critical.

So that is why I don't understand the point: "the automatic has manual control when desired". Without a real foot-operated clutch it's not really "manual" control.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Efthreeoh]

Just curious, I haven't owned a manual since my '87 AMC Wrangler. Do they all have "hill-holder" now?

Mostly yes, but it's a function of the ABS system and not a ball rolling in the brake pedal mechanism. The ABS holds the brakes for a few seconds when the trans is in gear and the clutch open. If you reacclimate yourself to launching a manual trans on a hill with an asswipe 3" from your rear bumper, the ABS-based hill holder assist is transparent, as soon as the vehicle moves forward, the ABS releases the brakes. It works in reverse too.

 

[uncledoodoo]

Sure shifting is fun, but if you can't do it better than the machine then what's the point? None of us can shift better than the machine anymore

You mean "none of us can SHIFT anymore"

 

[jbacon47]

This isn’t your grandpa’s manual..

The new manual has just as many enhancements, it makes it so easy…

I love the auto throttle from stop to 1st. You literally need no throttle pedal, even on hills, and the Bronco automatically gives it just enough gas to move forward. Hill stop is super helpful too. It won’t roll backward when releasing break to give clutch. Not to mention crawl gear.. great for towing and stop and go traffic.

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