The price of wanting a "stick"
Not debating manual vs automatic plenty of threads on that already, however for me personally I like a manual and considering I'm a dodge fan they still offer one. But as I look at the numbers payload...
Forum Discussion
kohldad wrote:
Found the auto to much more advantage compared to the manuals I had crawled with. However, it did take a different technique which most folks couldn't understand. The proper way to crawl with an auto is apply throttle to sufficiently load up the torque converter than use the brakes for allowing the vehicle to move.
Sorry if this is hijacking this thread, but that is very interesting. I was impressed with an auto offroad when taken for a demonstration drive in a 6x6 Pinzgauer in the '80s. I'm interested to hear more about loading up the torque converter as you suggest above - what advantage does this give you? does it prevent the delay and surging you might get otherwise?
kohldad wrote:
The other advantage to an auto is the torque converter acts as a shock absorber for any sudden shocks to the drivetrain. Lots of times my wheels would spin then suddenly grab which in a manual would have surely ripped a u-joint out.
Yes, I think that is a very good point. I am always keen to reduce shock loads on my transmission. I wonder if this is one reason auto transmissions are becoming more popular among commercial vehicles - not just to reduce driver fatigue, but in a sense 'vehicle fatigue' from unsympathetic drivers.
Steve.
