Forum menu
That really doesn't surprise me.
Oh because I'm so insecure, nervous and slow that I'm only trundling around at 40mph anyway with my face up against the windscreen? Or because I wouldn't know what proper gear shifting and racy driving was if it knocked me off my bike? 😆
No, just that every time you contribute to a thread about driving you are right.
😉
Well, if I didn't think I was right I wouldn't post 🙂
Seriously though - manual shifting is confusing at first, but it just takes a bit of practice. First few ratios on my car aren't that close so mistakes are a bit jerky but once you're practised it's alright.
I use manual for particularly windy roads like in the Alps, and when towing too sometimes.
DSG boxes are far more fuel efficient than torque converter boxes as well, I get mid 40's around town in mine while my Mrs gets just over 20 out of her traditional auto.
Be aware though that DSG boxes can need specialist servicing when it comes to oil change time - its around £300 to do mine and lots of Ford special tools are needed which means its not DIYable.
Just waiting on delivery of a Focus Sport with auto / powershift box and dual clutch.
Everyone drives auto here.
Be aware though that DSG boxes can need specialist servicing when it comes to oil change time
The VW wet clutch ones (can't speak for the dry clutch ones) aren't really complicated at all, you just need a way of figuring out how hot the oil is because it has to be between 35 and 45 C. If you can do that, then it's just a case of either a) putting in the same volume you remove, or b) overfilling it and letting the excess dribble out which is what VW do. Their 'special tool' is just a nozzle that goes in the bottom - turns out standard windscreen washer tubing from Halfords fits perfectly 🙂
I can't understand why anyone would drive a manual, but then I got my first auto in 1986 🙂
I can't understand why anyone would drive a manual
Possibly because they don't enjoy driving them for they sort of driving they do?
I have tried all sorts of gearbox types over the years, manual, CVT, torque converter autos, Dual Shaft autos, robotised manual autos etc. the best autos I have tried are modern ZF torque converter in large engined Audi's the worst was a robotised Manual auto in an Audi R8 V10, with DSG gearboxes on diesels coming somewhere in between.
I am quite happy to stick with my manual gearbox thanks
Edit: the best gearchange of all the cars I have owned was in the first Alfa Giulia 105 series Coupe that I had in the early '80's. Once it had warmed up 🙂
[i]Possibly because they don't enjoy driving them for they sort of driving they do?[/i]
I can't imagine any scenario (except on a race track) where a manual car is any better than an auto - just to clarify, comparing equivalent cars (ie same model, bhp etc).
Whether its urban driving, motorways or open cross-country routes; where would you actually prefer a manual over an auto? And vv?
Same reason steel is real, I imagine 🙂
I can't imagine any scenario (except on a race track) where a manual car is any better than an auto - just to clarify, comparing equivalent cars (ie same model, bhp etc).
I can and do imagine it. so sorry to disappoint you. We are all different, great isn't it.
I don't like autos, just as I don't like avocados or horses or Range Rover Evokes.
I can't imagine any scenario (except on a race track) where a manual car is any better than an auto - just to clarify, comparing equivalent cars (ie same model, bhp etc).
I don't know using skill to match the revs of the engine with gear changes, down shifting in to a corner is all fun in my opinion.
I can downshift into corners in my car.
I can't imagine any scenario (except on a race track) where a manual car is any better than an auto - just to clarify, comparing equivalent cars (ie same model, bhp etc).
Mountain roads - particularly long downhill roads are a pain with the limited/no engine braking - yes use manual mode to select specific gear
its still a pain.
[i]Mountain roads - particularly long downhill roads are a pain with the limited/no engine braking - yes use manual mode to select specific gear
its still a pain.[/i]
And in a manual car, you'd select a lower gear?
I can't imagine any scenario (except on a race track) where a manual car is any better than an auto - just to clarify, comparing equivalent cars (ie same model, bhp etc).
You clearly haven't driven the auto box fitted to my Audi auto then have you. #rhetoricalquestion
And in a manual car, you'd select a lower gear?
That would depend on the specific conditions but yes, I might. Why wouldn't you?
DSG with flappy paddles here.
Great fun, love throwing it down into a corner then having the shift up be basically instant. Really fun.
Probably wont get a manual again.
The DSG is clever enough to manage going up or down a hill. I believe they have a sensor that figures that out.
FWIW i prefer a manual as i can beat the fuel economy by a good chunk on the type of driving i do. 5-10% is achievable without too much difficulty.
(Yes, i beat the quoted consumption figures as well.)
And in a manual car, you'd select a lower gear?
Would you pop down an Alpine pass in 6th/5th?
you cook your brakes if you do not - some roads have signs warning you to do so - not in this country but certainly the Alps , driving down the Ardeche valey from west to east was the last time I had to do this - traditional auto
loaded up estate car - manual mode engaged.
I can downshift into corners in my car.
I am assuming you have an auto?
Well yes you can down shift, but you don't have to use any skill, judgement etc. Just click the lever and the car does the rest.
FWIW i prefer a manual as i can beat the fuel economy by a good chunk on the type of driving i do. 5-10% is achievable without too much difficulty.
Still works in autos. DSGs keep lower gears than you would in a manual anyway because they have the next lower gear ready to go on the other shaft so will instantly down shift when you apply throttle.
Well yes you can down shift, but you don't have to use any skill, judgement etc. Just click the lever and the car does the rest.
Meh. If you were on a track, maybe, but 9,500 of the 10,000 miles I might do in a year are not miles in which I would savour the driving experience, however I'd still have to fart about with clutches. And on windy roads there's still all the other skill and judgement required for a smooth fun drive.
I think the OP asked if auto boxes were any good not who's the fastest, bestest most brilliant driver here! 🙂
Resounding yes, then, I reckon.
Incidentally, my Mum finds the clutch in their new Golf too heavy for her hip so hopefully I can persuade them to get a nice new DSG one and take it for a spin 🙂
Resounding yes, then, [b]I reckon[/b].
Well I say no, they are rubbish and I am going straight back to a manual with my next car.
[i]I think the OP asked if auto boxes were any good not who's the fastest, bestest most brilliant driver here[/i]
I think I went with 'yes', before the big boys turned up 🙂
At the end of the day we're human and therefore we like different things for a variety of different reasons. I don't dispute that some people prefer manual boxes, and that's fine - we all look for different things out of our cars and things. However the latest DSG style boxes are more fuel efficient and faster more of the time than any human can achieve in a manual box. They might select the wrong gear from time to time, but so do people, and when they do they instantly correct unlike people, who are often slow to correct and might select the wrong gear another two or three times as they stir the gear stick in a mild panic. And in anycase in an auto car the person behind the wheel can influence the gearbox so when an auto box does select the wrong gear then it is the drivers fault.
And latest tech is marrying gearboxes to GPS's so they know the road and terrain ahead and will predict the optimal gear to be in and change at the optimal time.
The best auto box I've driven is actually a CVT box. There is no such thing as the wrong gear in those. They are really weird and take a bit of getting used to, but once you do they're great.
Had an A6 multitronic 2.0 tdi s-line (so comes with paddles). Was ok, nothing wrong with it. just boring. Friend who had the same said the same. Economy - 35-45 mostly around 38 - I have quite a heavy foot. dont do much round town driving.
Currently have 13 plate t5 auto. so 7 speed dsg in 2.0 tdi. Better once rolling. Still has the uncertainty of the small engine boxes.
If I had a choice I would go for 520d auto. (actually I would go for the 535d auto!).