A few decades ago it was common to hear from old drivers that cars with automatic transmissions were not designed for the intricate national geography: “An automatic won’t go up that hill,” the older ones said.
However, since the 90s there has been a gradual increase in the fleet of two-pedal vehicles in Colombia, reducing the wide gap that separated them from the popular manual transmission cars.
Nowadays it is very common to find that the same car model has two versions: manual and automatic transmission; with the same characteristics, same colors, same power; However, they differ in prices.
Manual or automatic transmission car?
One of the decisions that generates the greatest concern among people looking to purchase a new car or change vehicles is the fundamental choice between a two- or three-pedal car.
In this choice there are many factors that should be taken into account, from which they determine the operation of the transmission; the comfort; safety; the useful life; the economy, to an issue that for many is essential: gasoline consumption.
There are many articles in specialized magazines that are responsible for demystifying and explaining the biggest differences between the two types of vehicle; However, the issue of fuel consumption seems to be one of the determining factors when choosing a new vehicle.
Does a car with an automatic transmission consume more fuel than a manual one?
According to a publication by the prestigious luxury car brand BMW, there is a marked difference between the consumption that a car with an automatic transmission can have compared to a manual one.
The company explained that an automatic vehicle consumes, on average, 5% more gasoline than a manual transmission car. A difference that has been reduced over the years, because the difference reached exceed 10% of consumption.
This is due, according to BMW, to the fact that in the manual transmission car there is control of the gear changes, so in a scenario such as a descent, the driver can reduce consumption by carrying out engine braking. , without the need to step on the accelerator.
Contrary to what a driver of an automatic transmission vehicle can do, he has to make more frequent use of the accelerator pedal, and does not have the adaptability to the terrain he faces in the way that an automatic can.
When do you consume the most gasoline?
However, BMW itself also shared another article in which it shows the moments in which both the manual and automatic transmissions consume greater fuel:
Automatic
When the car remains in Drive (D) function
When the brake is overused
When accelerating on very long journeys
Manual
When you start the car with manual transmission and it immediately moves forward
When you do not shift gears properly
In both cases
When driving with little gas in the tank
