Manual vs Automatic Off-road

Manual vs Automatic Off-road, Which is better for off-road?
This video is for those that are not sure if they should buy a manual or automatic.

Join this channel to get access to perks:

[clay]

I get sleepy driving automatic. Rock crawling in a manual stresses me out though.

[PeterVenkman]

I have owned both. Manual gets better gas mileage and can be bumped started. Auto is good for towing! Won't burn the clutch! If you drive in traffic you will hate a manual.

[jeffbutrum]

I was brought up learning to drive a 3-on-the-tree passenger van and as a 16 year old, I thought nothing of manually shifting a transmission in order to make a vehicle move. Not too many years after, it was off to the automatic and smooth shifting bliss. Then, I made a career change and found myself driving 10 speed, manual shift, tractor trailers. Although I continued to drive an automatic in my personal vehicle, I spent years away from the manual and found myself missing the art of shifting. When it came time to replace my '99 Silverado, I moved back into the manual 2017 Jeep Wrangler 6 speed and have never second guessed. To the novice, I'm sure they're a pain in the ass, but to an old timer in his 50's, it's a blast.

[simonsmith]

Being partially disabled I have to vote for an Auto box, they allow me to drive more comfortably and for longer. Before my injuries I would have gone for the manual box.

[PumpUptheJam]

Here in North America there is a new phenomenon where thieves cannot drive manual and move on to a different car. True story. + 1 for manual = theft deterrence!

[fordracng]

After so many years of having both I totally agree with everything in this video. Ronny is a smart dude. I would add if you overland or do a lot of driving in remote areas I would keep an extra starter on board if you drive an automatic. Can't jump or bump a dead starter so the only option is a tow or a ride into town to get a new starter. Cheap insurance.

[welshskies]

I've owned both manual and auto 4x4s and I must confess I far prefer a manual transmission (but I was trained to drive off-road by the British Army); however most modern all terrain vehicles are fitted with automatic gearboxes with so much electronic and computer trickery that they can perform just as well if not better than a manual. So overall I agree with the conclusions reached by Ronny Dahl but I still think driving an auto is too much like playing a video game. 😁

[Speartheman]

He gave us an answer! Videos usually just give it a tie and say "you decide!"

[xWagonFamily]

I find that people who can drive manual efficiently off road can also drive an automatic with very little effort or training; however, the opposite for automatic drivers.

[Ronny_Dahl]

Apologies for the 360p current quality, it was uploaded as 1080p not sure why YouTube is taking so long the process the video into 1080p (the video size is nearly 2GB) hopefully its done soon.

[jimking]

Great, informative presentation. Thanks. From my Canadian point of view, I could have used a segment on snow, but I guess that's not a big concern of yours. Personally, I love a manual in most situations because of the incredibly precise control you have over power delivery with proper co-ordination of throttle and clutch. I don't care for the lag and surge of an automatic, which is especially troublesome in snow.

[curtismalaise]

I have 5 speed manual.just started off-roading.learned alot from this video.didnt know about shifting in water will get on clutch plate.very helpful

[benzbordz]

I came from driving school. My teacher said we must to learn first in hard which is manual before you go to easy driving which is automatic.

[johnkemple]

My grandfather was a GM trained transmission specialist. He worked on manuals first, as autos were either non existent, or way too expensive as an option. There was also a 3rd reason. People, they were comfortable with what they were used to, they didnt trust automatics. They were not always as good as they have become. He told me once that if you drove a car round the world continuously the automatic transmission would outlast the car, he said many manual transmissions would wear out due to grease contamination and bearing failure, from the metal parts while the automatic with fluid that is almost all detergent would fair far better.
My Father thought he was crazy, he was a truck driver and had one calf muscle almost twice the size of the other from all the clutch work. My dad had a Jeep CJ5 with a 3 speed manual transmission. Every time he was climbing sand dunes (shifting from 1st to 2nd)or blasting down the beach after a summer the clutch would go.
My Range Rover classic LWB has 200, 000 miles on it's automatic. (2 engines, 1 trans) I change the filter and fluid on schedule. I go to the beach and play in the sand dunes, and my legs are both the same size.
One thing you didn't mention, for good reason; is ice, better yet ice on a slight incline. in an auto all you need to do is let off the brake to have forward movement. None of that heel toe stuff you have with the manual.
I have had both, in many different types and brands of 4x4's. The automatic of today is far superior to those of yesterday. The manual is quite the dinosaur. For off road both can do it and both can perform well but the automatic is just plain better. Great job trying to explain the difference though. good luck out there no matter what trans you may run!

[gemini]

I always considered 4WDriving to be done in a manual, I can appreciate how advanced and strong the autos are now. Even so and being a 60 year old female and love to cruise with an auto, I think I will still stick with a manual for my next 4WD purchase. Great video 👍🏽

[Adrenalfix]

I really enjoyed this one, thankyou, confirmed most of my thoughts, especially auto on the beach, I have a very entry level, fwd/awd ford escape ( to cheap to not buy ) that I finally used on the beach recently, and once the tyres were down, it did pretty good, except for trying to climb into the dune basins from the beach. Looking forward to more content

[akaroamale]

Thanks for your very good sum up of the options, I really enjoy your videos. I would have thought there was very little difference between the auto and manual in low 1st on the down hill, but I bow to your experience. I have done many hours both privately and in a professional capacity, always in a manual. I now drive an auto SR5 Hilux and I would not go back to a manual if you paid me to. It took a while but I now have the feeling, through the gear box, that I thought I might not get. If I ever get over to Perth I will be looking you up on the chance I could tag along on a trip some time. Cheers

[orionslaver]

Best to learn in a manual - it makes you a better driver - but let's be honest, auto is where it's at most of the time.

[Jessetheoutdoorman]

Millennial with a manual here. My first car was a manual, so naturally, I had to get a manual Tacoma and I could not be happier.

[theaxeman]

Hey Ronny! Thanks for all of the great videos mate! Seeing the format of this video - would you do an off-road driving tips video for both manual and automatic for each type of terrain? Just very general and easy to remember strategies / techniques / tips that would be easy to remember in a summary format? Rock crawling, steep hill ascent and descent, mud, sand, water crossings, etc? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Thanks mate.