The debate about choosing between manual cars and automatic ones rages on in the car world. That’s despite the evident change in buying patterns which show us that stick shift vehicles are slowly going away. We’ve covered this debate from several angles, including which type of car would fare better in urban environments vs open roads.
This time around, though, we're going to explore the debate from another angle. This article will look at whether it's cheaper to maintain a car with a manual transmission or one with an automatic.
Sure, manual versions of today’s cars are cheaper when compared to their automatic siblings. Still, it’s essential to consider how much you’ll be paying once you’ve driven the car off the lot. After all, it’s those maintenance costs that you’ll repeatedly be paying for many years to come.
So, let’s begin by asking the golden question: Do stick shift vehicles cost more to maintain?
Do Manual Cars Require More Maintenance?
The simple answer? No. Manual cars do not require more maintenance than automatic cars.
You see, automatic transmissions are much more complex. For that reason, they require more frequent maintenance to stay in good working condition. Plus, if they were to fail for any reason, repairing and replacing them are both pretty costly.
Still, it’s essential to know where your money goes, exactly. When we talk about maintaining a car’s transmission, what we’re referring to specifically is:
- The transmission fluid
- The clutch
- The transmission or gearbox itself
- Expertise needed to fix the transmission
Let’s take a closer look at each aspect.
Transmission Fluid
The first place where you’ll see a significant difference between maintaining an automatic vs manual transmission is with the transmission fluid itself.
Transmission fluid keeps all of the moving parts well-lubricated, absorbs the excess heat, and keeps things clean. Both a manual gearbox and an automatic one will need its transmission fluid changed now and again.
The total cost of changing automatic transmission fluid (ATF) will depend on many things (the fluid brand and the workshop’s labour charges, among other things). Still, ATF generally costs about double to change compared to fluid for a manual gearbox.
In the short term, that might not seem so bad. But remember that you’ll be changing the transmission fluid several times over the car’s lifespan, and those costs will add up.
Clutch
The clutch is another critical part of the gearbox in stick shift cars and automatic ones. In the simplest of terms, that’s the part that transfers the engine’s power to the wheels.
Generally, clutches last longer in an automatic transmission. That’s because their use is entirely automated, so your driving style doesn’t affect its wear and tear.
In manual cars, however, the lifespan of a clutch depends on your driving style. If you drive aggressively, you’ll replace clutches often in the long run. However, if you’re careful and gentle with your driving style, your clutch might last longer than that of an automatic vehicle.
So, if you’re comparing the repair costs of a clutch, this one is more of an ‘it depends’ kind of thing.
Transmissions
Suppose you find yourself in a situation where you’d need to replace your entire transmission; if that’s the case, then you’ll be glad you’re driving a manual car. A manual gearbox is much more affordable compared to an automatic one.
As mentioned before, there are fewer moving parts, and those parts aren’t particularly complex. While a manual gearbox relies on good ol’ mechanical engineering, automatic transmissions these days have become very high-tech, relying on sensors and computer controls.
While those advanced features make the vehicle more efficient and convenient to drive, they also cost plenty more to maintain, repair, and replace. There are many more parts needed to keep an automatic transmission working correctly, and that’s going to cost you!
Expertise
Remember: auto maintenance, in general, isn’t just about paying for parts but also labour. The longer it takes to fix something, and the more expertise is required to do so, the higher the cost.
All of that is certainly true when it comes to maintaining and repairing transmissions. Whether it’s an automatic or manual gearbox, fixing them takes a lot of time. However, automatic transmissions require a lot of specialist knowledge to address their unique issues.
A manual gearbox, however, is pretty straightforward. So, finding the right people to repair it will be much easier, and more importantly, much cheaper.
Is Auto Insurance Cheaper For Manual Cars?
Here’s a bonus tip: You should always consider your auto insurance payments as part of your vehicle’s maintenance. That’s because it involves a recurring payment that you’ll need to make every year, no matter what.
Another reason insurance matters? Well, it’s because the premiums you pay will also depend on the type of transmission your vehicle has.
That’s right! People who drive manual cars will also spend less on their auto insurance. Why? For the same reason mentioned above: stick shift cars have transmissions that are cheaper to maintain, repair, and replace.
In the eyes of an auto insurer, that means there’s a lower risk of them having to pay hefty amounts if anything goes wrong with your car. Lower risk means a lower insurance cost on your part.
Again, those savings might not seem like too much at first, but they add up over the years!
Why Are Stick Shift Vehicles Going Away?
Even though stick shift cars are cheaper to maintain, the sad truth is that they are indeed going away with time. An increasing number of auto manufacturers are doing away with manual versions of their upcoming models, leaving buyers with no choice.
Plus, with the way the world moves towards hybrids and all-electric cars, manual transmission will eventually become obsolete.
If you still have doubts about that happening, consider this: more and more countries worldwide are also moving towards offering automatic-only driver’s licenses. That seems to be a clear indicator that governments and regulators themselves don’t see stick-shift cars being a thing in the future.
Don’t Stop Learning!
To discover more about manual cars and stick shift vehicles, check out our blog at Carpart.com.au. It’s the best place to learn about your car and becoming a better car owner. Plus, it has useful resources for you to use free—such as its Auto Part Finder and Directory, which both help you locate sellers, wreckers, and auto professionals you need in maintaining your car.
You can find auto parts by simply sending us a request instead of searching all over the place yourself. Yes, we’ve made that possible, so why don’t you send us a request now and start receiving quotes?
By Ray Hasbollah