Jake1

I drove manual transmission cars for 20 years or so, then discovered the joy of automatic transmissions! I won't drive a manual transmission vehicle unless I absolutely have to and, other than initial cost, don't understand the facination that some people have with them when it comes to everyday driving.

Of course, there are special driving circumstances in which a manual transmission would be preferable; e.g., real offroad driving. But today's automatic transmissions are much more efficient and effective than those of even 10 years ago, with many automatic car models getting gas mileage equal to or better than their manual equivalent.

And most manual transmission drivers are so bad at picking the most efficient shift points that even cars in which the maual is rated as having better gas mileage end up with the drivers of A/T versions getting better gas mileage.

nona1

On the manual v automatic I can see the pros and cons of both as our household owns one of each. Overall I prefer my manual but if I know I'm going to be travelling far or possibly getting stuck in traffic, that stop start type of driving, I'll grab the automatic!

clarasong

Well, since it was my original post, I hope I may be permitted to have the last word on the subject. I am completely comfortable with a manual (prefer it, actually) and going into the high mountains and rugged, unfinished paths that pass for roads in Northern Portugal and Spain require an ability to hold you car on a hill while down shifting, if you must slow down and stop....which you must do, frequently. I don't/won't rely on a funky little car that has a button somewhere, maybe hidden in the engine (as this one was)...it's most discomfiting.....not a secure feeling.

This trip I will demand an auto with a hand brake...if Avis doesn't have it, we'll look elsewhere. I know they have them in Europe....have had many a dandy little car there...an Audi a-4, a Toyota, a Golf. etc.

Thank you for letting me express my opinion...and here's to another very enjoyable trip.

chartley

"Dandy", eh. Does that have the same meaning as quaint?

Jake1

Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary:

dandy: 2 something excellent in its class

JP

"And most manual transmission drivers are so bad at picking the most efficient shift points that even cars in which the maual is rated as having better gas mileage end up with the drivers of A/T versions getting better gas mileage".

Jake1, can you point us to the source of this interesting "fact"?

bocacpa

We rented a Renault Picasso diesel last month. Manual transmission. Couldn't find the hand break. Went inside and asked at the counter. Finally someone remembered that indeed there was No handbreak Nor any button. This is a different model than OP, but I am guessing that OP was correct, and there was no button or anything else but the "automatic handbreak."

Usually putting on the breaks (stepping on the break pedal) would set the "parking break"... and it was handy on a small incline.

But we noticed that many times coming to a complete stop using the breaks DID NOT set the handbreak. By panic, trial and error we found that IRA has the right idea... just turn off the engine, and the "automatic" hand break will set itself.

Steve

chartley

Steve, that sounds a convincing tale.

Except that our Picasso is manufactured by Citroen. We have had Citroen Picassos for six years now, so I think I have the name right. Was your car a Renault or a Citroen? I think we should be told.

Jake1

JP--I have in the past, but I'll let you look it up this time.

clarasong

Okay, all good thoughts, and information. But we are going to Portugal again (the Douro valley), and the roads are treacherous, steep and very narrow, to say the least. It is quite discomforting, to say the least, to pull over to the very edge (a huge canyon yawns below) to let a down coming car pass, then try to get going again, put in low gear, slip the clutch, feed the gasoline, and the car starts rolling backward.!!!! Yikes, where is the dang hand brake?????? Nope, don't got one...at least a visable one.

For Americans, who are more accustomed to automatic, this is an added complexity of a manual transmission in certain European cars that is perplexing.

bocacpa

Chartley: It WAS a Picasso, mini-van type. Whoever made it. It was a fun car, just that one little peculiar feature.

I also apologize, it is a "brake", not a "break:.

Steve