In defence of the automated manual

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
04/14/2015 at 18:24 • Filed to: Automated manual

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Everyone, just everyone hates these. Doug de Muro does. Everyone who posts here does. It's just the way things are.

But here's a thing.

I think they're just fine.

I've driven five (which is about five more than most here) and been driven in about the same number and they were all just fine in everyday, foot not to the floor, keeping up with traffic, obeying speed limits driving.

First off was a Mk1 Smart, 700cc turbo and six speed box. I expected it to be terrible and drove out of CDG airport in Paris in some trepidation expecting jerks and so on. It was fine. Smooth changes, sensible gearchange philosophy, easy low speed manoeuvring.

Next up were a trio of Citroen C3s, two diesel and a petrol. These weren't as keen to change down under acceleration as the Smart and didn't downchange automatically when going downhill to maximise engine braking but then again they had flappy paddles so you could pretend to be an F1 driver.

Finally a Peugeot 107 (actually a Toyota design). This blotted its copybook at the airport when I drove around a roundabout in what turned out to be an inappropriate gear and it jerked somewhat. Didn't happen again though. Easy in traffic because it would creep when you released the brake.

Apart from all these I've been driven in various airport buses with the Volvo iShift box which seems to be just fine too. Smooth, quick changes (more so than a manual bus) and reasonably smooth low speed behaviour (not as good as a torque converter automatic but better than a manual).

So, there you have it.

What you thought was the work of the devil isn't so bad after all.

DISCUSSION (20)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 18:29

I don't hate them :) I've driven lot's of trucks with the Opticruise (Scania) and I love them.

Cé hé sin > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
04/14/2015 at 18:32

Odd though it may seem, many truck drivers in America swear by non-synchromesh manual boxes and think that automated ones are the worst thing imaginable.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 18:34

I think they're fine. I think automatics are fine too. Some manuals really add a ton to the driving experience though.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 18:35

I know man, I know.. I've given up on debating that shit with them..

We have those guys in Norway as well "Oh no, I drive a REAL truck.. MURICA.. none of that European shit"

HammerheadFistpunch > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 18:38

Alternate title: I drove an automated manual and lived.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
04/14/2015 at 18:56

Less city driving is a big thing you have to factor in across the States. Also remember that there is a lot of nothing in the middle of the country, so long boring drives where you rarely have to touch the shifter.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/14/2015 at 18:58

I guess, but an automatic would do the same thing though. No shifting IS no shifting, automagic or manual won't make a difference :)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
04/14/2015 at 19:08

Also remember that a lot of U.S. truckers here are private owned trucks, so the cheaper to fix, the better.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/14/2015 at 19:11

Now THAT is a fair point.

My main issue with the guys here in Norway though is that they drive around in old trucks (mid eighties or so) and claim they are way better than the new ones from Scania or Volvo.

Brian, The Life of > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 19:30

My wife's Town & Coutry has one.

It's neat!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
04/14/2015 at 19:51

While in some ways not making them like they used to is a good thing, like for NVH and economy purposes, but I still have a hard time seeing all of this technology being as cheap to repair 20-30 years down the road as 20-30 year old trucks are today.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/14/2015 at 19:56

True, but I'd rather have a truck that's nice to drive right now than a truck that'll be easy for someone else to repair in 30 years or so.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
04/14/2015 at 20:02

While I thoroughly enjoy my 20 year old vehicle, I have to admit that I have been wanting more creature comforts here recently.

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 20:38

I just drove my wife's new 4x4 with an automated manual, it's ok but I prefer a real manual.

Long Live the Longdoor > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 21:58

Coming from a car that had an automated manual and going back to a car with a regular automatic, I can say with certainty, the automated manual is WAY more fun. Not being able to gear down into a tight corner really sucks. Is an actual manual more engaging? Totally! But if you need an auto, make sure you can step your own gears (you know, if you're actually interested in having some fun with your transportation device).

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 22:18

I've had extensive experience with the second-generation Smart Fortwo here in the U.S., and I don't think the transmission is nearly as bad as conventional wisdom would suggest. It feels different from a conventional (torque converter) automatic in that you feel every shift, but the gearchanges themselves are reasonably smooth and predictable, once you learn how the car behaves. A true manual, however, gives the driver more control as compared to a Smart Fortwo left in automatic mode. The best example is when approaching a small hill: An experienced stick-shift driver might downshift before the hill, while the sequential manual left to its own devices won't downshift until partway up the hill, impeding progress. Of course, the manual mode lets the driver compensate somewhat by choosing when to shift.

wafflesnfalafel > Cé hé sin
04/14/2015 at 22:37

definitely would take one over a CVT if I had the choice and they are a good compromise..

Cé hé sin > Brian, The Life of
04/15/2015 at 05:03

Don't have the Town and Country here, but Google tells me it has a conventional four or six speed automatic. It might allow manual gearchanging, but it's still a torque converter gearbox.

An automated manual works quite differently, it's just a manual clutch and gearbox with automated operation. It pauses between changes just like a manual and you can feel the clutch engaging as you move off.

505 - morphine not found > Cé hé sin
04/15/2015 at 05:50

Transmissions, ranked:

1. Good manual

2. Good, responsive torque-converter automatic (like the Mazda Skyactive-AT or the ZF 8speed)

3. Double-clutch transmissions

4. Performance automated manual (Read: Ferrari, Audi R8 and the like)

5. Bad manual

6. Good CVT

7. Bad (read: slow, unresponsive) torque-converter automatic

8. Bad CVT

9. Budget automated manual

No, they aren't as bad as some would have you believe. But they are still the worst gearbox solution out there. And yes, i have driven quite a few of them over the years, this is my informed opinion.

Brian, The Life of > Cé hé sin
04/15/2015 at 09:35

That was a joke. I just didn't make it quite silly enough to be obvious. I should have said something about its improved trap time in "manual mode."

;)