manual or auto
Whats best for off roading in a G, manual or auto gearbox?
Hello blavatsky,
My school of thought favours automatic transmission.
1) Automatic transmission by inherent design has ability of 4:1 torque multiplication, i.e. for less pedal the torque delivered at the wheel is multiplied by a factor of 4 compared to a manual. Advantages of this is a smoother and controllable power deliverance, the power increase is more progressive and there is not the extent of clutch burn as is on manuals.
2) Some people argue that there is no down hill control through engine braking; the G-Wagen autos' have this capability in 1st gear.
3) Generally, automatics, in my opinion affords comfortable and controllable driving.
4) The reliability of autos is well documented.
5) Fuel economy in relative terms is only about 3% less than manuals, that's 3 miles less per gallon compared to manuals.
The major disadvantage is in case of repairs you need to have a competent specialist to be able to correctly diagnose and effect repairs; costs of which are high. A reconditioned or remanufactured gear box is mediocre in todays prices.
Cheers,
Don't think there is a best, pros and cons and personal preferance with either.
I suppose manuals give complete control, but autos are just so easy.
An auto will go down hill faster in low 1st then a manual will, but not a huge difference.
Smooth delivery of power and the ability to change gear without losing momentum is a + for autos, but turbo lag and autos can be a pain.
Rocking by using forward and reverse gears is definately easier with manual, it's just horrible in auto.
Don't know cos never driven an auto G off-road but what happens when you mash the pedal towards the top of a steep climb? That moment or three when you want max torque / minimum wheelspin? Doesn't it kick down / change down leading to more wheelspin?? Or don't 'G's have a kickdown? And although I get that you can keep it locked in 1st on a descent, some descents are ok in 2nd in a manual but I wouldn't want the box to decide to change up!
Chris (5 speed manual)
Well in an auto you can still individually select the gears and hold them in that gear, so if your gunning up a steep incline you can say attack in 2nd right up to the limiter. The auto box does not like changing past the red line though......
Kick down can also come in two modes... 'gentle' mode, say at 70 a gentle depression on the gas and you will drop down a gear, then there is the 'nutter' mode, mash your foot all the way down and the gear box will select the lowest gear it can and then accelerate and change at the red line. Amazing noise with the window down
Spider1V
For off roading I would go for an auto every time. It just makes everything so much easier and smoother. Virtualy no chance of stalling and a constant momentum can be maintained during gear changes which can be a problem with a manual.
The only drawback I find is that reverse appears to be very fast even in low ratio. If I have to roll back down a steep hill in reverse I get very little engine braking and end up going a lot faster than I would like. This then causes the temptation to have a quick press on the brakes which immediately locks the wheels and as likely as not the car will then slide sideways across the hill and tip over thus ending a pleasant day in the country.
Does anyone know if reverse also becomes a low ratio gear when the transfer box is placed in the low range position? I don't seem to notice any difference.
Hi, the transfer box is after the gearbox so all gears are reduced when in low.