manual or automatic

[rion]

IMHO, the number of gears does not affect the fuel efficiency. although it is the gear ratios that will determine how often you shift and how fast you go, it is still the manner of driving and load that plays the greatest in terms of determining fuel efficiency. it is still the optimum speed at the right rpm and gear that will determine the fuel efficiency.

I agree. I saved this tsikot message from a member here. .. I have a bad english so I will use his quote to share my point...

Most M/T drivers think that shifting very quickly is the best way to save fuel. I used to be one of them, wondering why I simply cannot get great fuel numbers. I just realized that as I shift from one gear to another, I tend to step on the pedal deeper. This means that the throttle is opened wider, which means more fuel consumption.

The rule of thumb in driving efficiently is to step on the pedal as if there were bits of broken glass on it such that if you step hard, it will be painful. From my experience, I learned that I should only shift if I can afford to step on the pedal very lightly. In that manner I got better mileage.

A/T relies on hydraulic pressure... most people think A/T is slow because it has only 4 gears... that's no it... A/T is slower and less fuel efficient because it uses pressure... unlike m/t that use gear to gear contact...

A/T is slow, but just slower than m/t... you don't feel much of the push because it's soft because of the hyraulic that works like a shock absorber... too bad those a.k.a shock absorbed are actually power lost... poor hydraulic a/t...

most peeps also thinks A/T is slow because the computer decides what gears to use. first, for the old hydraulic A/T... is not only computer that decides your gears... your A/T has a kickdown cable - a transmission pressure control hooked in your accelerator.... if you push too hard... the cable will pull, telling the tranny to downshift without the computer's control... then there is the computer sensor judging what gears to use based from your vacuum and boost pressure and speed...

I even disagree that average peeps are better to decide what gears should be used IN A hydraulic A/T transmission case... even average m/t drivers sucks * 3rd gear in aggresive driving from a standing start at the traffic lights... how could they judge a tranny powered from pressure if they even suck on a m/t...

but of course good drivers can judge better than the old dumb A/T...

world rally cars have manual trannies but uses hydraulic pressure and computer to judge what gears to use. just look at their sticks move on their own...it's the best of both worlds....

as for my vote. choose m/t for power and efficiency. choose a/t for comfy...

cvt could be better though...

kaya a/t to m/t converted yung Pajero namin... ang hina ng hatak at malakas uminom ng gas dati kasi eh...

medyo buwaya lang ako sa daan sa m/t, I don't like stopping in m/t... kasi balik 1st gear and clutch timing nanaman... hehe...