If you are in the market to purchase a new vehicle, you may be wondering which type of car is right for you, manual or transmission. There are many considerations to make before making your final selection. By considering the advantages and disadvantages, you can choose which option is best suited to your needs.

Manual Transmission Benefits

Many “stick shift” or manual transmission drivers enjoy the power they get from their engine. This is one of the most well known advantages to driving a manual car. The engine gives a great amount of revving power and also allows the driver to control the speed at which they are driving to a greater degree than automatic cars allow.

In addition to getting more power from the engine you also get more fuel economy from a manual car. This is by far one of the major advantages to driving a car that is not automatic. If saving on fuel is one of your priorities when driving a car, then selecting one with a manual transmission should be a priority consideration for you.

Manual transmissions also require less servicing than their counterparts. By far one of the pains of car ownership is taking the vehicle in to be serviced. When this occurs too often this can cause a major amount of stress for the vehicle owner in addition to being very expensive. Manual cars are not as high maintenance and therefore can last longer without a visit to the mechanic.

Automatic Transmission Benefits

Automatic cars are very attractive because they have a smoother ride than manual cars do. This allows for greater efficiency handling curves, hills, city roads, country roads, and many other terrains. While an automatic vehicle may require more gas, the payoffs may be worth it for those who prefer an easier time while driving.

Automatic cars are also very popular among drivers and make up the larger percentage of vehicles on the road. Despite their higher upfront cost, they are still a very popular choice amongst drivers due to their ease of maneuvering and smooth on the road handling.

Although manual and automatic transmissions each offer their advantages and disadvantages, ultimately you will have to make your choice based on your driving preferences. If you prefer driving with your right hand always available for multitasking then an automatic may be best for you.

The transmission in your vehicle is responsible for helping your vehicle to drive by allowing the engine to turn the wheels. A transmission is also responsible for the shifting of gears. To keep your vehicle running smoothly, it’s important that you keep your transmission healthy by taking proactive measures to prevent premature wear and tear. If your transmission goes bad, you may notice that the engine revs but the wheels won’t turn well or that your car lurches or barely moves when you push the gas pedal. Here are some tips to help keep your transmission healthy.

Keep Up with Maintenance

The most important part of maintaining a healthy transmission is keeping up with regular maintenance. The transmission has its’ own fluid that must be checked and kept clean and filled for the transmission to run smoothly. You should change this fluid every 15,000 miles, but check it yearly to insure that it’s not leaking, at a low level, or full of debris. You should also keep your car’s other fluids topped off and clean since all parts of a car work together to provide smooth operation.

Be Careful with Gear Shifts

Since a transmission is responsible for helping your car change gears, you should not shift gears when your car is driving. While it’s tempting to change into a higher or lower gear without stopping, this can actually destroy the gears in the transmission and your car will not operate. Always bring your vehicle to a complete stop before changing gears. If you want to provide less stress on the transmission, you can take your car out of drive when sitting at a stop light or stuck in traffic. It’s also a good idea to use your emergency break when parking on slopes, like hills, to prevent too much stress being placed on the transmission gears.

Give Your Car Plenty of Time to Warm Up

Cars that sit outside in cold temperatures need plenty of time to warm up before you drive. Even if you keep your car in the garage but the temperatures outside are below freezing, you will need to give your car time to warm up in the morning. The fluids within your vehicle thicken at colder temperatures, making it more difficult for the fluids to reach the transmission and other necessary components, which could result in damage to your vehicle. By letting your car idle for a few minutes, the fluids will warm and reach the transmission when you push the gas pedal.

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If you follow these steps, and refer to our infographic for more information, your transmission will stay healthy.