Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
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Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
Stick shiftin since '77
theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
See also antonym http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... ck%20shift
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
Definition #2:theholycow wrote:See also antonym http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... ck%20shift
"Really awsome [sic] cars like a Toyota Celica can be found with this type of transmission."
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
I realize that's a joke, but I also believe there are people who think like that. For those people, I'll play devil's advocate:InlinePaul wrote:http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... =automatic
A transmission commonly known as a "slushbox". One of the most pointless creations that man has ever conceived.
Slushbox is an older term that was most likely coined because of displeasure with some of the older automatics that weren't exactly crisp shifting. There's really nothing pointless about an automatic transmission. In fact, automatic transmissions are probably one of the biggest major changes to the automobile that won favor with the majority of buyers.
Automatic transmissions essentially limit the amount of control one has over the engine, decrease awareness of driving, and shift like concrete in a blender.
Some automatics are quite good at allowing the driver to have control over the engine, assuming that we're talking about engine RPM. I'm not sure how concrete in a blender shifts, but I'm quite sure that a modern automatic doesn't shift anything like that.
But slower.
Not anymore. In most cases, an automatic is the faster choice. Why? Well, for one thing, there are lots of new cars with automatics transmissions that have more than 6 gears. In fact, 8-speed automatics aren't uncommon. The gearing advantage is one reason why an automatic may be faster than the manual version of the same car.
Automatic drivers can be spotted either with both hands on the wheel or both hands on the kids at all times.
Both hands on the wheel at all times is a good thing, no?
Or asleep.
Not much to say there. Falling asleep while driving isn't a good idea regardless of transmission type.
Americans have unfortunately become dependent on automatic transmissions.
That's because most Americans like convenience. And most Americans aren't car enthusiasts. Put those two things together and it is easy to understand why automatics are so popular in the U.S.
This is half the reason why they suck at driving.
So what's the other half reason?
Jesus would drive a manual.
Jesus was a carpenter. So he'd probably drive a full size pick-up truck. And today, we all know it's really hard to find a pick-up with a manual transmission. So odds are good that he'd actually drive an automatic. Besides, it would be hard to drive a stick with those holes in his hands.
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
Shadow - The priests at my local school used to drive Saturns. Jesus was also a preacher so you could always get 2 cars!
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
Of course it is a joke but I figured this is the place to have a little fun. Any other site and I'd come under fire quite quckly.Shadow wrote:I realize that's a joke, but I also believe there are people who think like that. For those people, I'll play devil's advocate:InlinePaul wrote:http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... =automatic
Yep, definitely has its points: sales, simplicity (for the driver, not the transmission), handicapped access to driving, learning to drive.A transmission commonly known as a "slushbox". One of the most pointless creations that man has ever conceived.
Slushbox is an older term that was most likely coined because of displeasure with some of the older automatics that weren't exactly crisp shifting. There's really nothing pointless about an automatic transmission. In fact, automatic transmissions are probably one of the biggest major changes to the automobile that won favor with the majority of buyers.
What I find it that automatics do things for you in a way you would not do them if you had the choice. Also, I don't like modern automatics, but prefer the older ones, like the 3-speed in my 1999 Plymouth Voyager or even the vacuum modulated one in my 1993 Aerostar.
Automatic transmissions essentially limit the amount of control one has over the engine, decrease awareness of driving, and shift like concrete in a blender.
Some automatics are quite good at allowing the driver to have control over the engine, assuming that we're talking about engine RPM. I'm not sure how concrete in a blender shifts, but I'm quite sure that a modern automatic doesn't shift anything like that.
I won't argue the point, but there is a whole lot more to go wrong with them, like in my 2005 Mountaineer that was poorly designed and so delays downshifting and will slam into gear once it does go in. Not good for pulling out into the fast lane.But slower.
Not anymore. In most cases, an automatic is the faster choice. Why? Well, for one thing, there are lots of new cars with automatics transmissions that have more than 6 gears. In fact, 8-speed automatics aren't uncommon. The gearing advantage is one reason why an automatic may be faster than the manual version of the same car.
The author missed it here, he should have said, one hand on the cell phone and the other on a coke.Automatic drivers can be spotted either with both hands on the wheel or both hands on the kids at all times.
Both hands on the wheel at all times is a good thing, no?
Usually has catastrophic effects. I fell asleep once on a long trip and was saved by the rumble strip.Or asleep.
Not much to say there. Falling asleep while driving isn't a good idea regardless of transmission type.
Yep, and the marketing people just feed those desires, milking them for all they can get.Americans have unfortunately become dependent on automatic transmissions.
That's because most Americans like convenience. And most Americans aren't car enthusiasts. Put those two things together and it is easy to understand why automatics are so popular in the U.S.
Chances are Jesus would have a very old truck, perhaps a hand me down (he was not here to live in luxury), and it might even have a column shifted manual transmission.Jesus would drive a manual.
Jesus was a carpenter. So he'd probably drive a full size pick-up truck. And today, we all know it's really hard to find a pick-up with a manual transmission. So odds are good that he'd actually drive an automatic. Besides, it would be hard to drive a stick with those holes in his hands.
Stick shiftin since '77
theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
He didn't like to brag about it, or take sides and promote one brand over all others, but nonetheless, Jesus drove a Honda.
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
Some commentary on transmission that I found on a web page (no attempt to cite the authors, but you can google part of the text and find the quotes):
I have always driven sticks, excepting one vehicle. I'll never make that error again. An automatic isn't too bad on the highway, but around town? Shoot me. (yes, I've lived in places with heavy freeway traffic, long traffic jams, steep hills, yada yada. I find automatics even more disconcerting in traffic, with the idling engine constantly trying to push me into the car ahead. )
As for me, I'll only drive a manual that includes three pedals and a stick. Flappy paddles have no place in my driveway. I've never driven in a situation where I thought, "Gosh, I wish I had an automatic transmission right now," but I've sure been in a lot of situations with my wife's vehicles where I've wished her car had a manual transmission instead of a slushbox.
I prefer the MT in traffic, as I don't have to ride the brake constantly. I just slip it into neutral whenever I don't need thrust. When at a stop, the AT car has a vibration transmitted to the body that is objectionable. You could shift to neutral at stoplights, but then it defeats the purpose of the AT.
In closing, I admit to driving automatic quite a lot as I only own one manual transmission vehicle, my Ranger. The automatic in the 1999 Plymouth Voyager is pretty impressive. Does what it is supposed to do and does it well. Not so for the Mountaineer. My motorhome's automatic is quite well behaved too. But given the choice (no other drivers who want automatics) I'll take a stick. Even to pull a boat out of the water. Rock climbing I won't do (makes no sense to me) but would be a good situation for an automatic.I spent a month back in Jan-Feb in DC, and had an automatic rental car. I HATED it! I'm used to congested city driving with a stick, and the automatic drove me mad - constantly straining against the brakes when stopped, unpredictable shifts, a "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thou" delay before kicking down. When I'm in a heavy traffic, I want the confidence of knowing that I have full control over the power delivery, and automatics simply don't give me that. I've driven all over LA, San Fran, Vegas, etc. with a stick shift and the hills and traffic never bothered me a bit.
Stick shiftin since '77
theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
Good one, Rope! No wonder Hondas are such great cars, they have been making them for over 2000 years! Plenty of time to perfect them.Rope-Pusher wrote:He didn't like to brag about it, or take sides and promote one brand over all others, but nonetheless, Jesus drove a Honda.
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theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
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Re: Sensible commentary on automatic transmissions
As long as Jesus' Accord wasn't a V6 auto it should last until he rejoins us on this mortal coil. I've heard about the questionable transmissions in those with "grenading" a common description.InlinePaul wrote:Good one, Rope! No wonder Hondas are such great cars, they have been making them for over 2000 years! Plenty of time to perfect them.Rope-Pusher wrote:He didn't like to brag about it, or take sides and promote one brand over all others, but nonetheless, Jesus drove a Honda.
As for the urban dictionary, I think my brain just seized and flopped onto the floor.