Battle of the Transmissions: M/T vs. A/T

[Jun aka Pekto]

As for regular AT, convenient siya ... until you're behind a slow bus going to baguio, a slow trike nearing a curve, or merging on the interstate.

I've been to some pretty steep inclines along the back roads of the Sierra Nevadas with slow vehicles in front of me. A/T doesn't seem to be a problem on the climb based on my experiences with the 95 Contour and 06 Sonata. Both cars never seemed to be shifting gears all the time. The biggest problem I had with mountain driving using an A/T is the downhill because of the rapid pick up in speed. Engine braking with a M/T car (my 91 Laser) or using the Shiftronic of the Sonata worked best for me.

I'll never take the 95 Contour up that route again. I still remember the burned odor of the brakes.

As for merging into the interstate, it's a matter of getting to the cruising speed of traffic. Any modern car with decent hp should have no problems doing that. I normally use the Sonata for interstate travel. Once I enter the freeway entrance, it's no problem hitting 75mph (the flow speed at our junction) before I merge into traffic. It's then just a matter of easing my way between cars. In fact, it's easier to merge with an A/T because my attention is focused on the cars I have to watch out for.

In CA, some cities make you stop (just before merging) which is downright silly. There, I would see the benefit of M/T. But, if you have a low hp car, it's still going to be tricky trying to merge on the freeway even if it has M/T.