Manual V Auto

Cabinetman

New Member
Hi
On going debate Discovery TDI Diesel Manual Vs Auto with my mate
He claims that the Auto will always be in the right gear, where I say that a manual give a better feel for the surface, engine braking is greater.
He claims the auto is stronger not so many moving parts and that manuals boxes fail at around 15000k

Arbitration Please?!
 

cloughcarib

Well-Known Member
I don't know the Rover boxes, but I'd always take a manual over an auto. I like being able to creep down steep inclines without entirely relying on the brakes. I've been 'told' that auto is better in sand, however I've never had an issue with a manual.
 

newhue

New Member
Take an auto for a spin. I have always been a manual guy but bought an auto due to the city driving I do five days a week. Yes a manual is better for engine braking down hills , but that's about it as far as I can tell. It's great putting it in D for most things and just using the right foot. And even if you drive it like a manual there is no clutch to worry about.
I think it's also worth getting a feel for the engine and auto combination. Mine tends to hunt a bit for the correct gear, so it always seems to be busy doing something. It gave me the shits in first, but I have come to accept that is what auto's do...always look for the higher gear.
 

croozza

Active Member
Well I used to think a manual was the way to go, but I now have an auto, and it is so much easier to do scamble up the side of a hill in the auto, you don't get anywhere near as much lift in the front, as you can just lean on the throttle, so no big wheel stands, easier in the sand (as said before), don't have to worry about stalling, easy in heavy traffic, better for towing, so in short the pros far outweigh the cons.
 

bmurray2250

4x4 Earth Contributer
Manual has great down hill control, everywhere else auto wins. Auto don't have that clutch burning smell when doing slow speed rock hopping. Each have good and bad points but my oldest brother has had manual 4x4's most of his life and after driving a auto he will never go back.
 

cptmud

New Member
Have always had a manual, but now i have the auto i wount change. Gearmaster gears work great in an auto for downhill
 

OGJON

Member
auto is also better for water crossings as you can just chuck it into low second & drive across or leave it in D & let the box do all the work where as in a manual it's not a good idea to change gears in the middle of the crossing as you run the risk of getting water into the gear box.
as others have said auto is easier to drive off road as it allows the driver to really concentrate on what they're doing which is gr8 for slow crawling especially when coupled with transfer reduction gears
however down hill the auto will allow the 4wd to run away abit
 

Big Rig

4x4 Earth Contributer
Interesting thread, c'mon all you manual drivers ... put your 2 cents worth in.

I have always had fourwheel drives and always manual. I would consider my type of driving to be more moderate to close to extreme but I also do a lot of touring. I'm not rich enough yet to afford a stand alone comp truck so I have one daily drive.

I converted to the auto Prado because the missus stressed too much in the manual and let me tell you, I would never go back to a manual for the type of combined driving I do. There has always been a lot of pro's and cons about engine breaking down hills but in the Prado I have the same option that a manual driver has and can hold in either 1st OR 2nd gear, the other added option I have is the downhill assist. The entire package in my case is outstanding. We tow a fairly heavy camper trailer on and off the road and the auto just eats up everything we throw at it.
 

Alien d2

4x4 Earth Contributer
And now from a real off roader LAND ROVER!

My Disco 2(TD5 motor) is auto:D
The low range box is @ 3.1/1 so 4th at 2000RPM is 40Km/h.
As apossed my old manual mavrick which was @ 2.1/1.
My Disco is slower in low 1st than the Mav was:p
Also in low range I can use the mode button to convert it to manual.
This will hold any gear and gives engine braking ect.,and dosn't change when going up steep accents.

I think the Disco1(TDI motor) is the same but I would have to check.

GO THE DISCO"S:p
 

tankbloke

4x4 Earth Contributer
Hi
On going debate Discovery TDI Diesel Manual Vs Auto with my mate
He claims that the Auto will always be in the right gear, where I say that a manual give a better feel for the surface, engine braking is greater.
He claims the auto is stronger not so many moving parts and that manuals boxes fail at around 15000k

Arbitration Please?!

I have never owned an auto Landy and have no intention of owning one.I have alway's liked DRIVING my vehicles and I like the feeling of being in control of what I'm doing or about to.
 

croozza

Active Member
I have never owned an auto Landy and have no intention of owning one.I have alway's liked DRIVING my vehicles and I like the feeling of being in control of what I'm doing or about to.

The thing is, you are in total control with an auto, you can change gears manually, or if your lazy you leave it in D (except for down hill), and as autos are coming out with more and more gears there is not much of a difference between the gear ratios of a manual.
 

MJB

Member
I’ve had manual in the past & current vehicle is auto & will my preference from here on, great in sand & up hill but as stated by others not as good down hill but we work around that
 

offroader3

New Member
just my 2 cents i always had manual 4x4 just xmas 09 changed (after much research ) to auto petrol 80 series cruiser and was really stuck on the engine braking thing was sooo worried about it but then finally thought manufacturers especially toyota wouldnt produce a vehicle that is designed for this work to be dangerous in these situations .

ever since totally love it have been on the beach double island as well as much bush tracks and have found that in all situations i enjoy the scenery much more driving is some much more relaxed if you want u can control the gear you want .i find hill decents in low 4 locked quite safe ok it wouldnt crawl like the old diesel 60 series manual used to but i still feel i have full safe control i think you learn to rive with the brakes .another point with a manual you always get that drive line clanging when everything engages and releases with auto its alot smoother for the driveline

so yeah all in all i doubt ill buy another manual unless its for the missus .. but like the first guy said if you can take an auto for a drive or if a mates got one and he'll let you go off road for a drive try it ..but like has been said before it personal pref .

good luck :rolleyes:
 

waz

New Member
I have a Td5 auto; I wanted a manual but was talked out of it. I'm really glad I was. The auto box is fantastic. Everything Alien d2 said is true. I don't know if it's the same transmission as the D1, but if it is, it'll be fine.

Regarding strength, I think the standard manual box is stronger. They will chip a manual up to 520Nm; but the auto, they'll only go to 390Nm. I'm happy to be corrected on this.

Waz
 
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DazzGUIV

4x4 Earth Contributer
Hey guys,

the auto vs manual debate will rage for years to come :D

I agree with most posts saying that auto is easier to use when 4x4 cause takes out the clutch and gear selction - some downfall in engine braking...

However, I drive a manual - and will most likely continue to drive a manual..

Why???

cause i like it :D and i like the challenge of gear selection, using the clutch correctly, being able to heel and toe to rev match (on road obviously)... its a more mechanical way to do things and that how i like to drive - understanding 100% whats going on (including what gear you are in and when) and being in total control.

My 2 cents - auto easier (which some say better) in most scenarios, manual more fun and challenging in all...
 
was looking at getting a manual patrol but ended up with an auto and am glad.
not being overly experience 4x4ing, only 2 years i can concentrate on my line and less about what gears
looking for a 2nd car for the city that will be a manual but for offroad i think ill stick with autos
 

tankbloke

4x4 Earth Contributer
The thing is, you are in total control with an auto, you can change gears manually, or if your lazy you leave it in D (except for down hill), and as autos are coming out with more and more gears there is not much of a difference between the gear ratios of a manual.

I didn't want to raise the subject of LAZY, but as croozza has, my forward thinking dad always said " automatics are for lazy drivers and your mother.":rolleyes:
 

bmurray2250

4x4 Earth Contributer
I didn't want to raise the subject of LAZY, but as croozza has, my forward thinking dad always said " automatics are for lazy drivers and your mother.":rolleyes:

That is only an opinion. Manual or auto is a preference. I know people that manual is the go and change their clutch plate every 30,000 - 40,000KM but they attempt extreme tracks in their slightly modified 4x4. I know and worked on auto offroad racers and they were in the top 3 most of the time. It really depends want you want in your 4wd. I like both but presently have a auto. If I got a Zook, I would prefer a manual.

As being a lazy driver that isn't the case in most cases and yes it used by my wife to ferry the children around.
 

tankbloke

4x4 Earth Contributer
That is only an opinion. Manual or auto is a preference. I know people that manual is the go and change their clutch plate every 30,000 - 40,000KM but they attempt extreme tracks in their slightly modified 4x4. I know and worked on auto offroad racers and they were in the top 3 most of the time. It really depends want you want in your 4wd. I like both but presently have a auto. If I got a Zook, I would prefer a manual.

As being a lazy driver that isn't the case in most cases and yes it used by my wife to ferry the children around.

Yes it is an opinion Brian and yes it is down to personal preference.Yes I was being a little
sarcastic,Yes i take your OPINION on board but I still PREFER a manual.
 

croozza

Active Member
I didn't want to raise the subject of LAZY, but as croozza has, my forward thinking dad always said " automatics are for lazy drivers and your mother.":rolleyes:

I only said if you want to be lazy you can leave it in D. Not that Autos are for lazy drivers.
 
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