Automatic vs. Manual

[Henry Paul]

UTAH

There are good autos and bad. The auto in my old '94 jeep was awful. The
tranny was always dropping a speed and racing the engine at the slightest
touch of the accelerator pedal. Fuel economy was awful as well. My 5-speed
jeep could get 21mpg while the auto with the same engine got around 16-18.

 

[David]

UTAH

I have to agree there. If I can pull the hill in 5th, I pull it in 5th. If I
am trying to pass a slowpoke in the process of climbing a hill that has been
annoying me for the past 20 miles on a 2-lane road with no opportunity to
pass, then I am going to drop to 4th, wind up to 4300k, and pass the POS.

What do you drive? At 55MPH, my passing gear is 3rd. 4th just doesn't
cut it, until the speed pickes up a little.

2003 Forester 2.5/5-speed.

 

[Henry Paul]

It's all preference to me. I like to be in control of the gears when I am
driving. The auto takes that away from me.

 

[Henry Paul]

I have a '96 Impreza 2.2. The speed limits here are 65mph on rural state
highways. If I have to use 4th to pass, I am around 4k rpm.

 

[Henry Paul]

Why? Does the 2.5 use a different transmission? I don't see how engine size
would determine 5th gear rpm unless the capabilities of the engine dictate
that it run at that speed. My peak torque/hp are around 4500rpm. I'm not
sure of the exact number right now.

 

[Henry Paul]

I just came back from a road trip in my 2.2 5-speed Impreza. I averaged
about 32mpg on the highway most of the trip.

 

[Henry Paul]

I spent a few months commuting in Chicago rush hour with a 5-speed and I
understand all about clutching in stop and go. What I learned to do was try
to idle along in 1st or keep it in neutral and coast along.

I still prefer a stick, rush hour or not.

 

[Henry Paul]

UTAH

If I can get up enough speed before the hill, I will stay in 5th as I have
enough torque to climb with no problem. If I have insufficient speed, I will
shift to 4th to pull the hill.

 

[Spinifex]

I think you are wrong there..... petrol-electric hybrid cars do NOT use
the conventional motor, with the electric as backup when required...
rather, they operate in the reverse manner.

The primary drive is from the electric motor... with the petrol motor as
backup when requiring more torque/power output. Eg: Toyota's Prius
(this is the Australian market name.... not sure what it is called in
other markets)

Anyone else care to elaborate / educate us on this point???

Spinifex

 

[Spinifex]

I don't understand what your point is Henry

If you don't like automatics, don't buy / drive one

It's as simple as that. Instead of blocking up the forums with as many
responses about this topic (I am JUST as guilty here !!! ) I think you
should just get over it.

The comments have been made..... in reality, who cares if you prefer to
be in control of your vehicle. If that is the case, then simply don't
use automatic gearboxes..... problem solved... and the rest of the forum
community doesn't need to hear you bitching about automatics taking away
your control of your vehicle.

Spinifex

 

[Michelle Vadeboncoeur]

I think you are wrong there..... petrol-electric hybrid cars do NOT use
the conventional motor, with the electric as backup when required...
rather, they operate in the reverse manner.

The primary drive is from the electric motor... with the petrol motor as
backup when requiring more torque/power output. Eg: Toyota's Prius
(this is the Australian market name.... not sure what it is called in
other markets)

Anyone else care to elaborate / educate us on this point???

Actually, both ways are correct for hybrids on the market thus far.

The Honda IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) is mainly a petrol engine,
with
electric assist as needed. As seen on the Honda Insight and the Honda
Civic Hybrid (HCH).

The Toyota THS (Toyota Hybrid System, newest version is the HSD
(Hybrid
Synergy Drive)) is electric for low speeds and starting, gasoline for
most cruising, or gasoline with electric assist for hills and heavy
acceleration. As seen on the Toyota Prius (same name worldwide).

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm is a good place to start.

 

[Henry Paul]

That is correct. The electric motor is used exclusively at low speeds where
gasoline engines are typically at their poorest performance mpg wise. The
engine kicks in at higher speeds and when pulling hills when more power is
needed. The engine also aids in power generation to charge the batteries.

 

[Henry Paul]

Well excuse me. I didn't realize I had hit my quota for this thread.

 

[Henry Paul]

That's interesting. I was not aware the Honda system was reversed. It seems
to me that the Toyota system would be more efficient as gasoline engines are
most efficient when they can run at a constant speed with a constant load.

 

[uglymoney]

Well excuse me. I didn't realize I had hit my quota for this thread.

Its not company worth keeping anyway. Yawn. I just go and read the
http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/forum/ where they have real
conversations. Some of the people are even knowledgable.

Its great!

nate

 

[Henry Paul]

Hmmmm. I'll have to check into it.