For many, driving a manual feels like a staple part of the British driving experience, but it’s hard to fault the simplicity and relaxing nature of an automatic. Why then is manual transmission the norm in the UK, compared to being fairly rare in the US?
Well, the tide is actually turning at a fast pace in the UK. 40% of new cars sold are now automatics, a figure which has doubled since 2007.
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Quality and availability
This has been put down to the quality and growing availability of automatic cars, and that drivers seemingly prefer the relative ease that comes with an automatic.
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Electric and hybrid
The growing popularity of electric and hybrid cars has only added to this, which due to having no gearbox also tend to be automatic. Take a look at the all-new Honda e to see what all the fuss is about.
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What’s the difference?
The difference between manual and automatic comes down to the gearbox. With a manual, the driver is responsible for changing gears using the gearstick whilst pushing down the clutch. In an automatic, the car does this for you judging by how fast you’re moving.
THE BENEFITS
Driving an automatic certainly has its benefits, the main being just how easy they are to drive. It’s as simple as turning on the ignition, putting your foot on the accelerator and driving away, letting the automatic engine handle the gears and clutch. It’s very unlikely you’ll be able to stall an automatic – it's nearly impossible to do so – so you can forget about those difficult clutch control moments when you’re attempting a hill start. Without needing to control the clutch also means there’s no clutch to wear out, hopefully resulting in less trips to the garage for maintenance. There used to be an argument that car manufacturers don’t offer the same variety of automatic models that you could get with manuals, but this simply isn’t the case anymore. Nearly all Honda models feature an automatic option.
AUTOMATIC DRIVING TIPS
Automatic gearboxes have many advantages over traditional manual cars but do have some differences that you should be aware of when driving them for the first time. Here are our top tips that you may wish to consider:
Engine creep
When the automatic car is in either the DRIVE or REVERSE, most automatic cars will want to move forwards or backwards with the engine just ticking over.
This is known as engine creep. To prevent this from occurring, apply the footbrake. Engine creep can, however, be a useful tool when parking the car or slow manoeuvring. The slow movement of the car leaves plenty of time for the necessary observations and steering to take place.
Honda's Brake Hold feature also helps – it can be used to prevent engine creep when in slow moving traffic or at lights.
Be prepared to brake more heavily
When driving the automatic car in normal conditions, engine braking will be considerably reduced. As a result, when approaching bends or down hills, the car will likely be travelling faster than the equivalent manual one.
In order to deal with this issue, you will have to be prepared to use the footbrake more firmly or, better still, be aware of the topography and ease off the gas at a sooner position. This will save wear and tear on the car and result in a more economic drive.
Select gears manually on down hills
When an automatic car is driven down a hill, it will obviously increase in speed due to gravity. As previously mentioned, engine braking has already been reduced and, as the speed increases, the automatic gear box will naturally try to select a higher gear.
As there are many different options with automatic gear boxes, it's important to learn how your car works. Having done this, you will know how to manually select a lower gear (if this is available to you) in order for you to assist the engine braking and subsequent speed of your car. This principle is the same as in a manual gear box car.
Overtaking
The automatic car is always seeking to use the highest possible gear. This is not a good option for making an overtake. If quick acceleration is needed to overtake or avoid a hazard, then “kickdown” can be employed.
This is where a firm and positive actions on the accelerator will permit a greater response from the gearbox by dropping one of more gears promptly. The same affect may be achieved by manually selecting a gear, but this is an easier solution for a speedy reaction.
Don't use left foot braking
If you've never driven an automatic car before, it is a temptation to use the left foot to operate the footbrake. This is positively discouraged and may lead to an ineffective emergency stop. It's easier to tuck your left foot under your seat or leave it on the footrest.
Ready for the road
If, like most UK drivers, you’re the owner of a manual driving licence, you’re fully qualified to drive an automatic without any issue. There is also an option to take your test in an automatic car, which means you are only licensed to drive an automatic.
DRIVING MODES
The gearbox on an automatic looks a little different from what you might be used to in a manual. Instead of numbers 1-5 and the letter R, you’re faced with the below series of letters:
P: Park – Once you’ve finished driving and you’ve parked up, you’ll move to park mode (along with pulling the handbrake) to secure the car safely.
N: Neutral – If you’re stopping for more than a couple of minutes, some drivers will move to neutral while also applying their foot to the brake or using the handbrake.
D: Drive – The only gear you’ll need when you’re driving. When you’re moving, the gears will change up and down automatically.
R: Reverse – to be selected when you want to move backwards.
PADDLE SHIFT
Many new automatic cars are fitted with Formula 1 style paddle shifters. Instead of a gear stick, these cars have a paddle on each side of the steering wheel, allowing you to move between gears by tapping between two paddles offering the control of a manual car with the ease of an automatic.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TYPES
DCT - Dual-clutch transmission is effectively a combination of automatic and manual. DCT popularity has risen in recent years due to combining the efficiency of a manual and the ease of an automatic.
CVT - Continuously variable transmission is a belt or chain driven system developed to make cars more efficient when it comes to mileage. The CVT doesn’t have gears, so the acceleration is seamless and, due to the lack of any real moving parts, they are extremely reliable.
e-CVT - The latest form of CVT is the cutting-edge electric continuously variable transmission where the drive comes from the vehicle’s electric motors rather than internal combustion or, in the case of hybrid, both. It’s featured in the all-new Honda Jazz and Jazz Crosstar.
HONDA AUTOMATICS
Almost all of Honda’s iconic cars come with automatic transmission. Here’s a handful you should know about.
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Jazz and Jazz Crosstar
The all-new Jazz and Jazz Crosstar are stunning hybrids which feature the new e:HEV powertrain, giving it a powerful and comfortable feel to drive. It combines responsive performance with style.
JAZZ AND JAZZ CROSSTAR
Civic 5 Door
The automatic version of the iconic Civic 5 Door is configured with a 1.0 VTEC Turbo engine with a CVT Transmission. This offers superb fuel economy, along with everything you’ve come to expect from a Civic: power, style and space.
CIVIC 5 DOOR
HR-V
The popularity of the HR-V speaks volumes. The sports-coupe SUV has a new stunning design, and the CVT automatic transmission offers a high engine efficiency and an ultra-smooth drive.
HR-V
CR-V and CR-V Hybrid
The CR-V hybrid features i-MMD (intelligent Multi-Mode Drive), making it both ultra-responsive and fuel efficient. It also has a luxurious and spacious interior.
CR-V AND CR-V HYBRIDFor more information on Honda’s automatic models, check them out by visiting the cars section of the Honda website.
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