Automatic and manual transmissions offer their drivers their own sets of advantages, but for those looking for what’s quickly becoming a lost art, driving a stick is the only way to go. If you’ve always driven an automatic, you might wonder what the big deal is. We here at Padron Automotive service both transmission types, but let’s take a moment to talk about the advantages of manual transmissions in cars, trucks, or utility vehicles.
They’re Fun to Drive
Don’t you love the chase scenes in television and the movies where the drivers are flying through the streets shifting the gears as they go? We do, too. For many drivers, manual transmissions are much more fun to drive once they get the hang of the clutch and where it catches. You’re driving proactively instead of reactively, and you feel more engaged when you operate your automobile, which makes driving an experience instead of just a necessity.
You’ve Got Control
Manual transmissions also give you better control over your automobile. You shift the gears rather than having it done for you, and this allows you to adapt better to your current driving conditions. Give your vehicle more power when going up hills or downshift in inclement weather to grab the road better or to slow down to extend the life of your brake pads. These things are much easier to do with manual transmission than an automatic.
Lower Price Tag
If you’re on a budget, you will very likely pay less for a vehicle that has a manual transmission than one that has an automatic transmission. Check the price tag of the exact same vehicle with a manual versus automatic transmission and we’ll be very surprised if sums are the same. Manual transmissions are less expensive to build and this cost difference is often reflected in the MSRP, which is why many people’s first car is a stick.
Lower Repair Costs
As you can imagine, a system that is less expensive to build is also less expensive to repair. You’ll spend fewer dollars maintaining and repairing your vehicle’s manual transmission than you will an automatic transmission. This is important for people who live from paycheck-to-paycheck. Why spend more on vehicle maintenance and repair than you must? This, too, is a manual transmission benefit.
As we mentioned above, we here at Padron Automotive in Topeka, KS, can work on your vehicle’s transmission, whether it’s manual or automatic. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
