true BUT once full it matters not what you drove before. You get an open license. so long term no problem.
franc123,
Feb 11, 9:53am
Tow ratings are higher for autos because there is generally external fluid cooling plus heavy towing with manuals has an obviously detrimental effect on clutch life. The other reason autos are better is the additional torque multiplication gained from having the converter instead of just having the clutch.
msigg,
Feb 11, 11:24am
Yes franc123 is correct and Tamarillo, also the automatic takes out alot of the shock from the driveshaft to engine, modern automatics will have a temp sensor to monitor the temp.
2sheddies,
Feb 11, 11:38am
There is a problem. Despite gaining this 'open licence', they are not competent to drive a manual, thus it's an utterly ridiculous loophole that needs closing.
tweake,
Feb 11, 12:00pm
this is not about whats the best gearbox to drive with. this is about whats best to learn with. driving is all about doing multiple tasks at the same time or in the correct order, regardless of what gearbox you have. learning how to work out what needs to be done, what order it needs to be done in and more importantly be able to do that before its actually needed and that time frame varies depending on speed you are going. manuals force you to do that even if you do not realize it. with auto's its much harder to teach someone how to do that.
sr2,
Feb 11, 12:13pm
We'll have to agree to disagree. To reiterate my previous post driver training is and has always been all about mastering "spatial awareness, risk management and car control skills" nothing changes with the choice of transmission or vehicle.
2sheddies,
Feb 11, 12:21pm
In my humble opinion, if they can't grasp the simplest of tasks such as operating a vehicle with manual gearbox, I wouldn't have any confidence at all in their car control skills. They're just steerers who would only hang on for the ride if something went wrong.
tweake,
Feb 11, 12:42pm
there is a bit more to it than just "spatial awareness, risk management and car control skills".
we have the same thing in various industries. its often a whole lot easier and faster to train someone to do something properly when they are forced to by the gear/situation instead of someone telling them to do it. when people get tired, distracted etc, they fall back on that very early basic training. if that training was poor they will screw up. worse of all its very very very difficult to correct later on.
jeff1234,
Feb 11, 3:12pm
Weather you realise or not, when knowing how to drive a manual, you know what gears to select to go up and down hills, heavy loads etc. When you go from an auto car to ute, tractor, motorbike etc, tend to find people who just stick the car into D are clueless and need to be watched closely or they will have issues, or crash. This can be quite serious when you have to stop half way up a hill loaded, or in too high a gear down hill. Also find autos can unsettle a vehicle half way round a corner when they decide to down change, especially big SUV's. We have an auto Mazda, good enough but drive in tiptronic most of the time on open road as dont like the reactive response, especially on gravel.
sr2,
Feb 11, 3:50pm
Please correct me if I'm wrong but you still haven't presented any argument that learning on a manual trans will make you a safer and better driver?
Agree with you re training, but surely what you describe as "poor training" is not the exclusive domain of those being taught to drive on automatic cars?
scuba,
Feb 11, 3:52pm
I agree with you. Cars are automated to the stage where they won't need drivers within ten years. Teaching manual gear change skills to the average learner driver has as much relevance to modern drivers as teaching how to set distributor points with a feeler gauge. Yes they're still out there but not for the masses.
2sheddies,
Feb 11, 5:06pm
We still have plenty enough manuals in the national fleet, especially commercials, that it makes sense to know how to drive one. You might think you'll only drive an auto your whole life, but what if you got a job that came with a company vehicle, and that vehicle happened to be manual? Or do most companies these days cater to steerers rather than drivers and buy autos?
Ah well, each to his own opinion. If you're happy being a 'half driver' go ahead and fill your boots learning to steer that auto. I prefer being able to drive anything.
franc123,
Feb 11, 6:47pm
The amount of manuals being specified in new company vehicles where it was available as an option has dropped hugely in the last 15 years, even in these god awful crew cab utes that everybody seems to need these days. Manuals wouldn't even be 15% of them at a rough guesstimate, far cry from 15 years ago when auto may not have even been available in a 4cyl ute.
mrfxit,
Feb 12, 2:59am
Yep one of my sons got caught out like that, boss gave him a company Ute but it was a manual. Had to teach him in a hurry.
mrfxit,
Feb 12, 3:05am
Learned to drive with a 3sp gearbox (3 on the tree) Not long after, started work in a car sales yard & was already ok moving any vehicle around the yard or across town. Never had an issue with driving anything since then, auto/ manual/ pre select, tractors/cars/utes/trucks/ motorbikes (tho Mopeds terrify me) On the road for the first time is always interesting but getting it moving is never an issue.
drog,
Feb 12, 3:09am
Correct. Again.
hazelnut2,
Feb 12, 3:28am
Got my licence in a manual after driving lessons in Europe. Was once told by my backseat passenger that the automatic I was driving was a really good car, but it was actually a manual! That was a big compliment on my gear changing skills! :D
However, changing gears requires a good left arm and frustratingly mine ain't good anymore so I've had to trade my manual in for an automatic.
mrfxit,
Feb 12, 3:40am
We now have a whole generation of new drivers that can't,. >>
Can't drive anything with a manual gearbox Can't back a trailer (don't even know how to put one on) Generally have trouble backing their own car. No idea how to load a trailer unless it has a cage, (forget about them knowing how to use a rope) Don't know the first thing about changing a wheel No idea on any sort of maintenance for their own vehicle, (not even how to fill the window washer bottle). No consideration for other traffic having problems/ in the wrong place etc Some can only use carpark buildings (don't know how to park on the street)
franc123,
Feb 12, 3:50am
Yeah but,but, they know what utes have got the best Bluetooth! What's the problem?
tygertung,
Feb 12, 4:34am
Really though, if one can't manage the frankly quite basic skill of driving a manual, one probably shouldn't be driving. If they are not able to master driving a manual, the chances of them having any moderate car control skills are pretty slim.
trogedon,
Feb 12, 4:37am
That seems reasonable.
bwg11,
Feb 12, 7:45am
I'm with SR2 on this one. A new driver has enough on their mind in traffic - Who gives way, Have I time to brake if the green turns to amber, Am I in the middle of my lane, Why is that car following so closely, Must give that cyclist 1.5 metres, Am I going too fast or too slow. Who needs that silly third pedal while attempting to master basic traffic and car control skills. The manual can come later.
venna2,
Feb 12, 8:05am
Apart from a couple of times when I had to drive someone else's car, I have only ever driven a manual. I sold my Toyota Vitz in 2019 and the young man who bought it was actively looking for a manual, so I felt really pleased.
mrfxit,
Feb 12, 8:27am
I just love being able to drive pretty much any vehicle. Doesn't make any real difference who's car I borrow to zip over to the shops Any of my relatives cars parked behind mine in the driveway is fair game when I need to go out in a hurry for a few minutes, (shops/ supermarket etc).
mrfxit,
Feb 12, 8:30am
Thats all stuff you have to learn anyway. The only traffic that bites me is the cut throat mid city Auckland traffic but theres a good work around for that. If I get in the wrong lane, I just follow it like a tikky tour & double back later
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