Re: Gasoline Prices Below 99 Cents/Litre By Christmas
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
With over 95% penetration now, automatics will soon be close to 100% on consumer vehicles, thanks to computerization and more stringent fuel economy standards.
Who's developing an 8 speed manual (clutch) for a car? Case closed.
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
Not my fault people are clueless and can't drive a stick, I learned on both an automatic and a stick. The majority of the cars I've owned have had sticks
Who's developing an 8 speed manual (clutch) for a car? Case closed.
BMW has a 7 speed and so does Porsche. Close enough.
CVT's are a joke, I can't wait for the day those belts wear out and.or break (inevitable) and the powertrain is out of warranty.
When the bill comes in from repairing those trannies, you'll weep. Manuals? Not so much.
Its a chicken and egg scenario you paint though....how do you learn to drive a stick?...you can't...because nobody has one...its not that I don't want to...its that I can't learn and I don't want to burn out clutches and not drive and get frustrated...
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
With over 95% penetration now, automatics will soon be close to 100% on consumer vehicles, thanks to computerization and more stringent fuel economy standards.
Who's developing an 8 speed manual (clutch) for a car? Case closed.
Lewis Hamilton is buying/bought a Zonda with a manual not the DSG. Know why? He prefers them because they are more fun. I wouldn't blame him either. I may not be able to handle that car but the videos I've seen of the DSG make it look rather rough in 1st.
Personally, I'd rather drive a 150hp manual than a 300hp automatic. Might not be as fast but it is much more enjoyable to drive.
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
You're kinda correct. The fastest cars use a combination of both actually that take the clutch out of the equation but allow the driver to control shift points.
So in my Pro Street I use an automatic with a Cheetah valve body that has a reverse pattern no first gear brake and fully manual.
As I drive the car on the street now for the last couple decades there is no more trans brake and the stall is more reasonable for fuel mileage.
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
With over 95% penetration now, automatics will soon be close to 100% on consumer vehicles, thanks to computerization and more stringent fuel economy standards.
Who's developing an 8 speed manual (clutch) for a car? Case closed.
BMN and Porsche are looking into 7 and 8 speed manual trannies...
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
You're kinda correct. The fastest cars use a combination of both actually that take the clutch out of the equation but allow the driver to control shift points.
So in my Pro Street I use an automatic with a Cheetah valve body that has a reverse pattern no first gear brake and fully manual.
As I drive the car on the street now for the last couple decades there is no more trans brake and the stall is more reasonable for fuel mileage.
In drag racing automatics are preferred as they are more consistent allowing the driver to keep as close as possible to his "index" without going over it (which would result in being a disallowed run)....
Actually the two speed GM Powerglide is still one of the more preferred trannys in drag racing....
In drag racing automatics are preferred as they are more consistent allowing the driver to keep as close as possible to his "index" without going over it (which would result in being a disallowed run)....
I thought they used sequential transmissions rather than proper automatics?
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
Why are they "not cool"? Because hip-hop wannabes can't be reclined halfway to the back seat, leaning over onto the console and still shift gears? As for "fast", I don't do track day driving on my daily commute, so an extra two hundred milliseconds per shift aren't really a bother to me; I prefer to actually be involved in driving a car, rather than have it do the work for me. Furthermore, the fast shifting transmissions are usually dual clutch automated manuals, not automatics in the traditional sense.
I think if all cars came with a manual, we'd have fewer distracted drivers who were talking/texting/emailing because they would have to be more involved with the act of piloting several thousand kilos of steel/rubber/aluminum/leather rather than that being second or third on their operation priority list. Besides, any man who can't shift a manual without using the clutch can check their "package" at the door.
An interesting thing I realized recently is that manual transmissions really mess up insurance quotes. My wife simply can't drive a stick shift. She doesn't know how. She'd never get it out of the driveway. Therefore, I'm the primary driver on that car. However, she generally prefers that I drive, plus with my long commute I spend more time in the other car than her on the basis of kilometers alone (even if she drove it 100% of the rest of the time).
But insurance can't compute the idea that I'm primary driver on both cars they just don't allow it). Since she has only been licensed for a few years, her rating is lower than mine and our insurance rates are higher because she has to be noted as primary driver on the automatic transmission vehicle. It's really quite silly.
In drag racing automatics are preferred as they are more consistent allowing the driver to keep as close as possible to his "index" without going over it (which would result in being a disallowed run)....
I thought they used sequential transmissions rather than proper automatics?
I think it depends on the class... It's been quite a while since I really followed the NHRA or IHRA. Perhaps Peterboro can pipe in...
I know some classes use something like the Lenco manual trans which has a shift lever for each gear. I know Pro Stock class used Lenco...
While other classes seem to prefer automatics. A Top Fuel rail does the 1/4 mile in 4 seconds (approx) so not a lot of time to shift...
Although it is a very old design, the Power Glide still has a strong following in drag racing due to its strength and simplicity.[5] Power Glides are also popular in mud racing and monster truck racing. In the first few years after introduction, they became known as the "Slip-N-Slide Power Glide", due to the fluid coupling, (as opposed to the mechanical coupling of a clutch-driven gearbox), and the "Positive-Pop transmission" This last is due to the characteristic "bump" or "pop" which occurs as the transmission is put into gear from neutral. Currently Robert Campisi from Australia holds the World Record for the fastest run using a Power Glide transmission, clocking 5.95s at 260 mph in his Twin Turbo Ford Mustang in September 2011.[6]
Again it's been quite a while since I followed drag racing....
Summit Racing has a lot of Powerglides for sale...
Sticks are not only not cool, they're not as fast as an automatic and its clutch-less iterations, and use more fuel compared to a 7-9 speed auto or a CVT.
Why are they "not cool"? Because hip-hop wannabes can't be reclined halfway to the back seat, leaning over onto the console and still shift gears? As for "fast", I don't do track day driving on my daily commute, so an extra two hundred milliseconds per shift aren't really a bother to me; I prefer to actually be involved in driving a car, rather than have it do the work for me. Furthermore, the fast shifting transmissions are usually dual clutch automated manuals, not automatics in the traditional sense.
I think if all cars came with a manual, we'd have fewer distracted drivers who were talking/texting/emailing because they would have to be more involved with the act of piloting several thousand kilos of steel/rubber/aluminum/leather rather than that being second or third on their operation priority list. Besides, any man who can't shift a manual without using the clutch can check their "package" at the door.
But insurance can't compute the idea that I'm primary driver on both cars they just don't allow it). Since she has only been licensed for a few years, her rating is lower than mine and our insurance rates are higher because she has to be noted as primary driver on the automatic transmission vehicle. It's really quite silly.
Insurance rules required that one vehicle be assigned to each driver (which is sometimes very stupid if you ask me).
This is why they won't allow it.
If your wife did not have a license, then you could be primary on both.
[ I think if all cars came with a manual, we'd have fewer distracted drivers who were talking/texting/emailing because they would have to be more involved with the act of piloting several thousand kilos of steel/rubber/aluminum/leather rather than that being second or third on their operation priority list. Besides, any man who can't shift a manual without using the clutch can check their "package" at the door.
meh...in my long daily commute through the city, i got sick of shifting gears in rush hour traffic for an hour a day...even though my new car only came with an auto, i would have chosen it anyway.
as well, people will drive stupidly regardless of whether they have an automatic or manual transmission.
meh...in my long daily commute through the city, i got sick of shifting gears in rush hour traffic for an hour a day...even though my new car only came with an auto, i would have chosen it anyway.
It's a personal preference thing, to be sure. I guess I'm so used to driving a manual that being in traffic doesn't bother me as I don't seem to notice. If anything, I like the manual so that I actually slow down when I take my foot off the gas, rather than gas/brake/gas/brake/gas/brake that I see from other drivers.
Yeah... gearing down to slow down is a plus. Really helps too when going down a steep hill... But be careful when gearing down in winter... I did that once with my first manual tranny (Toyota Celica) and I geared down not knowing how slippery it was. The poor Celica did a slight compression burn & threw it sideways on a street... Luckily no on coming traffic.. I was a mere lad in my early 20's at the time...
If anything, I like the manual so that I actually slow down when I take my foot off the gas, rather than gas/brake/gas/brake/gas/brake that I see from other drivers.
interestingly, one of the first things i noticed about my new car is it does just that...if i am driving on the highway, and let go of the gas, it doesn't "coast", it slows down like a manual transmission car would...i'm not sure how, but my guess is the torque converter locks up "early" and stays on, which also makes it downshift as you continue to slow down...when i take the off ramps on a highway, if i "coast", it will even downshift like a manual as i round the bend...it is pretty close to feeling like a DSG in how it behaves...it isn't a DSG, but my guess is it may be "programmed" similar in how it behaves.
Yeah... gearing down to slow down is a plus. Really helps too when going down a steep hill...
my car has the "Tiptronic" feature, so i can move the shifter to the left and "kick it up or down" to manually control the shifting...i can even start in 2nd if i want (to help minimize wheel spin on a slippery surface).
Manual transmissions (shifting with a clutch) are not cool because they are not green enough for the fuel economy and emissions regulations that will be in place in the next decade and beyond. The carburetor disappeared for the same reason. I don't miss it any more than I miss manual steering, manual brakes, a window crank or unlocking with a key.
There's a reason why cars with 5+ speed automatics get better mileage than sticks: they be automated and computerized to the car's individual power profile. And, if there's a breakthrough in battery technology that reduces the charging time to a few minutes instead of a few hours, cars with clutches will disappear for good.
Manual transmissions (shifting with a clutch) are not cool because they are not green enough for the fuel economy and emissions regulations that will be in place in the next decade and beyond. The carburetor disappeared for the same reason. I don't miss it any more than I miss manual steering, manual brakes, a window crank or unlocking with a key.
There's a reason why cars with 5+ speed automatics get better mileage than sticks: they be automated and computerized to the car's individual power profile. And, if there's a breakthrough in battery technology that reduces the charging time to a few minutes instead of a few hours, cars with clutches will disappear for good.
It's not only about fuel economy or being green. Some of us drive cars that we find exciting.
Actually it is about fuel economy. Government-mandated CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) which must be 39 mpg (US) by 2016 and 54 mpg by 2025, also matched by Canadian regulations. There's room to shift your own (semi-automatic) in those numbers e.g. dual-clutch, paddles, but not a manual transmission with a clutch.
You can't get 500 HP from a V6 without computer assistance, and you can't get 54 mpg overall in the corporate fleet with clutch-activated manual transmissions, because they can't be computerized to the degree required to achieve that goal.