Is an automatic a poor choice or not?

[Ziggy122]

I drive autos 3.5tonne for a living

Driving uoto 200miles of pure stop start, and its not my van it used by like 10 other people

Auto makes total sense, no clutch destroying due to different clutch styles
It makes traffic alot easier
No having to balance load to power - its all done for us
Cruise control and speed limiters can work with the auto box - droppin gears to control (nope they dont auto brake)

Fuel efficiency is hardly different these days

Uptake is always smooth regardless of the throttle stamping

It has lots of merits, but there are times like on hills there awful, having to locl higher rpm to maintain spees up hill, if u dont, it changes gear u loose speed, it changes back down and u loose more speed.... totally annoying.....

If there is a stability system faults or traction control it looses alot of power in fear of crashing

I do see the appeal but while ever i can drive manual outside of work - i will

Ziggy

 

[portland_bill]

I drive autos 3.5tonne for a living
Ziggy

Sainsbury's home delivery? They use Auto Sprinters. I've always found them good in all situations. Although aircon would be nice tomorrow, as I'm in one all day.

 

[Ulpian]

If you're happy with a manual then stick to it. Treated well a clutch should last for well over 100k miles. I've never worn a clutch out, even on cars over ten years old.

But. I've now got an automatic, simply becaue I drive mostly in town and I was sick of crawling along having to juggle gears, hand brakes and clutches.


Our work car is a horrible Ford Focus, with useless reversing lights, no rear camera, press button start, but remote key for door unlocking - clever, not - so you still have to get the key out to open the thing! And don't mention the horrendously uncomfortable seats - the 'back breaker' the police call the things. The manual gearbox is okay, but since many different people drive the thing there is now a slight judder when moving off sometimes. Don't forget, many people hold the car on the clutch at lights, on hills, anywhere, because they don't ever use the handbrake. So the car, at less than 10k is basically spoilt.

Rant over!

No, automatics are best in congested driving, as long as you know the foibles of the different types and never, ever, want on work on one yourself. They are also easier to drive and the new dual clutches are quicker than manual cars. But if you live somewhere uncongested and do your own maintenance just stick to a simple manual transmission.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I think you need to decide what Auto you like, and then research its specific issues. Some are practically bullet proof (Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive gearboxes spring to mind) and others (VAG's DSG gearbox) less so, and very costly to repair if / when required.

 

[Ziggy122]

Sainsbury's home delivery? They use Auto Sprinters. I've always found them good in all situations. Although aircon would be nice tomorrow, as I'm in one all day.

Yea sainsburys
But morrisons, tesco also use sprinters

However iveco seem to be asda and tesco(some not all)

ocado use Manuals and have a/c....

The boxes are strong, there a little sluggish on hills, shifting when they shouldnt but not bad

Ziggy

 

[portland_bill]

Yea sainsburys
But morrisons, tesco also use sprinters

However iveco seem to be asda and tesco(some not all)

ocado use Manuals and have a/c....

The boxes are strong, there a little sluggish on hills, shifting when they shouldnt but not bad

Ziggy

I guessed correctly.
I shall be out in a Sainsbury's van all day tomorrow, initial training for a new driver. Hard work, for both of us, but hopefully a worthwhile benefit. Did you enjoy yours?

Waitrose also use manuals, with aircon. The aircon is nice, but when delivering so much time is spent out of the cab it will still get hot inside and not cool enough before the next stop. The manual needs so much work, swapping gears frequently, as the engine has such a short power range. The auto makes the day so much easier.