Do you have less control in an Automatic?

Many experienced manual drivers will claim they have less control in an Automatic car. In this video I explain why and give a quick overview on the different types of automatic systems that are available.

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This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in the UK, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

00:00 Baffled?
00:31 This automatic
01:13 Up gears
02:17 Down gears
02:48 Slowing down
03:27 Low speeds
04:46 Manual low speeds
05:27 Manual mode
07:08 Hills
09:17 Different automatics
12:39 Outro

[bramvrints]

Totally agree with you. My dad's car is an automatic, and often i wanna accelerate (eg. when speed limit increases) and the car downshifts when it absolutely doesn't have to. It sometimes makes driving jerky and uncomfortable.
However, in a traffic jam, an automatic is an absolute delight

[clover]

I'd argue this is one of those "it depends" sort of topics. In a very good automatic transmission (like Mazda's skyactiv 6-speed auto) you have more control than you ever could in a manual. A good automatic lets you creep at low speeds for controlled parking, downshifts faster than you ever could for controlled acceleration response, and usually has a taller final gear ratio to control fuel efficiency. Good automatics also have good manual gear selection interfaces for controlled engine braking down grades as well.

[jessra]

I have a licence, I don’t live in the UK, yet I still watch all your videos! Very informative and entertaining, you’re a really great presenter of information and make everything entertaining!

[eoghanmcgivern]

Passed my driving test on Saturday with 5 minors. Your advice helped a lot, thanks so much.

[jollyguy]

Watching from India and having driven manuals for 15 years and bought a second car with automatic gear box for my wife, i can completely relate to what you are saying. Manuals are fun for an enthusiastic, experienced driver.

[JaZoN_XD]

I am in North America and this was the first time I've ever in my life that I've heard of a real "robotized manual" transmission aside from a single-clutch auto in the old lamborghinis or double clutch sports car transmissions. I found that fascinating, since I've always wondered why anyone wouldn't make these kinds of transmissions. The only automatics you see in NA are torque converters (again, aside from DSG/PDK etc. etc.)

[Grocbeast]

You answered the question in the first 30 seconds: automatic is easier to control, manual gives you more control

[blessingnwachukwu]

I just came here to say that I passed my test with 3 minors yesterday. Your videos have been super helpful. To think that I don’t even know your name but you have taught me so much. Thank you and God bless and increase you, in Jesus name, Amen 🙏🏻

[RankedMusic]

Passed my test today, first time, 5 minors. Your videos have helped so so much!

[rearviewmirror]

It totally depends on the type of automatic gearbox. I learnt in a Yaris Hybrid with a CVT transmission which was super smooth, had a great creep function, and was nice to drive. Since passing I now drive two BMWs, both with ZF gearboxes (with torque converter), and they're silky smooth! An absolute pleasure to drive and easy to control, and extremely responsive with gear changes - I don't even notice it changing gear (apart from the noise from the revs) as it's instant.

[BN]

The planetary gears in the ZF8 is an incredible design. Lightweight, super fast to downshift multiple gears due to its design. In a lot of cases, it's actually smoother and quicker than some DCTs out there.

[sianiesauntie]

I passed my test last year in a manual Fiesta, then drove for almost a year in my Dad’s 2011 Astra while I was waiting for a new car to come into stock. I found driving so stressful in my Dad’s car (for some reason, I struggled getting into third gear), so decided to get an automatic. I now have a 2022 MG ZS, and I LOVE it. It drives like a dream, loves hills and the motorway, and just wants to go. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a manual, but I’m glad I did a manual test so I have the option if I change my mind in the future.

[shanechapman]

Passed my test last Tuesday but still looking forward to seeing more of these videos, they did help a huge amount with getting through my test as well 😁

[cameronleehorace]

I had a strange relationship with learning to drive. I started in a manual found it too hard then went to automatic lessons then after a while in automatic I went back to manual lessons and then passed in a manual. I am pleased that I passed in a manual as they are more fun to drive and you definitely feel more engaged in the driving experience (helps if you have a fun car to drive). I wouldn’t necessarily say you have more control in a manual though other than gear choice. I love driving a manual now but I miss automatic in stop start traffic. I think both choices are nice but if I had the money I would probably have a nice automatic and then a manual for when I want a more engaging drive. For now I will choose manual.

[hamdanali]

been driving since jan 2020, and used to watch this guy when i was a learner.. but i still find myself in watching his videos every now and then. says a lot about the quality and engagement of his content. keep it up bro

[besartsaliu]

I just got my driving license today with manual. Thank you a lot. Your videos helped me. I wish you knew how much easier things got for me after watching your videos. You explain very well🤝

[johnbarclay]

This explains one of the issues I have always with my now quite old C200 Blue Efficiency model, namely a lag between accelerating and the response, followed by an unwanted surge in acceleration.

[unconventionalideas]

Modern Torque Converters consistently outperform manuals in the efficiency department because they can bypass the torque converter when not needed, and because torque converters are consistently much lighter than they used to be, meaning the weight difference is relatively marginal nowadays.

[nilsdendekker]

I got my drivers license in the Netherlands 2 months ago and 3 weeks ago i went to England for vacation, These videos were a great help to me to understand the pretty different to us road rules in the UK! Thanks a lot

[melinuxfl]

All of these are very good points. Another way that automatics offer less control is when trying to start off in slippery conditions. I live in the US state of Maine, and there are times when the amount of snow or ice can make it difficult to even get the car moving without spinning the tires, especially uphill. With manual cars, I've been able to start off in second or even third gear when it was impossible to get the car moving in first. In a lot of automatic cars, however, selecting 2 or 3 doesn't actually lock it into second or third; it simply locks it out of the higher gears, but still starts off in first every time. Some newer cars have a "snow mode" that's supposed to make up for that deficiency, but I've never driven one, so I can't speak to its effectiveness or lack thereof.

In addition to being able to start off in higher gears, there's also the ability to rock the car out of a snowdrift. A little dance with the clutch and accelerator, and I'm unstuck in no time. You can't really do that with an automatic. So in addition to the inherent inefficiencies in traditional torque converter automatics, people here also tend to buy a vehicle with all-wheel drive—which makes the vehicle consume even more fuel—to make up for that lack of control.

I drove my old 1999 Saturn SL through winter conditions where people with 4×4 trucks were shocked that I was even able to make it through, practically plowing the snow with my front bumper. I'll take winter tires and a manual gearbox over a 4×4 automatic any day of the week.

Also, when you drive an older car, the ability to push start the car if your starter gives out can save a hefty tow bill. I've had to do that on more than one occasion with some of my old cars.