Do you have less control in an Automatic? 

Totally agree with you. My dad's car is an automatic, and often i wanna accelerate (eg. when speed limit increases) and the car downshifts when it absolutely doesn't have to. It sometimes makes driving jerky and uncomfortable. However, in a traffic jam, an automatic is an absolute delight

You answered the question in the first 30 seconds: automatic is easier to control, manual gives you more control

I'd argue this is one of those "it depends" sort of topics. In a very good automatic transmission (like Mazda's skyactiv 6-speed auto) you have more control than you ever could in a manual. A good automatic lets you creep at low speeds for controlled parking, downshifts faster than you ever could for controlled acceleration response, and usually has a taller final gear ratio to control fuel efficiency. Good automatics also have good manual gear selection interfaces for controlled engine braking down grades as well.

I have a licence, I don’t live in the UK, yet I still watch all your videos! Very informative and entertaining, you’re a really great presenter of information and make everything entertaining!

Watching from India and having driven manuals for 15 years and bought a second car with automatic gear box for my wife, i can completely relate to what you are saying. Manuals are fun for an enthusiastic, experienced driver.

I am in North America and this was the first time I've ever in my life that I've heard of a real "robotized manual" transmission aside from a single-clutch auto in the old lamborghinis or double clutch sports car transmissions. I found that fascinating, since I've always wondered why anyone wouldn't make these kinds of transmissions. The only automatics you see in NA are torque converters (again, aside from DSG/PDK etc. etc.)

Passed my driving test on Saturday with 5 minors. Your advice helped a lot, thanks so much.

The planetary gears in the ZF8 is an incredible design. Lightweight, super fast to downshift multiple gears due to its design. In a lot of cases, it's actually smoother and quicker than some DCTs out there.

Passed my test today, first time, 5 minors. Your videos have helped so so much!

Passed my test last Tuesday but still looking forward to seeing more of these videos, they did help a huge amount with getting through my test as well 😁

This explains one of the issues I have always with my now quite old C200 Blue Efficiency model, namely a lag between accelerating and the response, followed by an unwanted surge in acceleration.

I got my drivers license in the Netherlands 2 months ago and 3 weeks ago i went to England for vacation, These videos were a great help to me to understand the pretty different to us road rules in the UK! Thanks a lot

Many thanks for your videos. Passed first time yesterday with a minor and had a really good drive with the examiner. Keep up the good work. I especially loved the mock test drives.

I had a strange relationship with learning to drive. I started in a manual found it too hard then went to automatic lessons then after a while in automatic I went back to manual lessons and then passed in a manual. I am pleased that I passed in a manual as they are more fun to drive and you definitely feel more engaged in the driving experience (helps if you have a fun car to drive). I wouldn’t necessarily say you have more control in a manual though other than gear choice. I love driving a manual now but I miss automatic in stop start traffic. I think both choices are nice but if I had the money I would probably have a nice automatic and then a manual for when I want a more engaging drive. For now I will choose manual.

Been watching your videos for 2 years, Just got my driving license Thank you very much, ur videos helped a lot💙

These videos on automatics come from heaven. They're so entertaining! I am thankful for the manual videos, those helped me pass my test. :)

been driving since jan 2020, and used to watch this guy when i was a learner.. but i still find myself in watching his videos every now and then. says a lot about the quality and engagement of his content. keep it up bro

I recently went on my first HGV lesson, it was also the first time I drove automatic. It felt really weird when the trottle pedal just did nothing when it shifted up, mostly because I never knew when it would do so. I did feel like I had less control for sure, especially when an awkwardly timed upshift (just before a hill) almost stalled the engine...

I just got my driving license today with manual. Thank you a lot. Your videos helped me. I wish you knew how much easier things got for me after watching your videos. You explain very well🤝

I just came here to say that I passed my test with 3 minors yesterday. Your videos have been super helpful. To think that I don’t even know your name but you have taught me so much. Thank you and God bless and increase you , in Jesus name, Amen 🙏🏻

Hey man i have been watching your manual driving tip videos and have practiced for about 50 hours on the road and am going for my license soon your tips have helped me a bunch

This was a revealing video. I did know how the robotized manuals are in a technical sense but have never tried one and didn't know how they behave in practice.

Passed first time with a manual car, only 2 minors so I'm pretty chuffed with that! Thank you for the videos they really helped me!!

Modern Torque Converters consistently outperform manuals in the efficiency department because they can bypass the torque converter when not needed, and because torque converters are consistently much lighter than they used to be, meaning the weight difference is relatively marginal nowadays.

It totally depends on the type of automatic gearbox. I learnt in a Yaris Hybrid with a CVT transmission which was super smooth, had a great creep function, and was nice to drive. Since passing I now drive two BMWs, both with ZF gearboxes (with torque converter), and they're silky smooth! An absolute pleasure to drive and easy to control, and extremely responsive with gear changes - I don't even notice it changing gear (apart from the noise from the revs) as it's instant.

I agree with this! I thought it was just me. Sometimes I think it would be nice to pop the car up in a higher gear. However I have learnt there is a technique to getting the robot to change gear, so if you accelerate and brake smoothly it finds it much easier to change gears. When I give the gas a bit of welly it takes a couple of seconds before the car has caught up with my action. However I find it way more easier to control than a manual as the car will move on its own and you can slow it down like a manual with practice. It also means you're not driving in the wrong gear and having to wait for a good moment to change!

I used to borrow my aunt's C2 with the same robotized transmission. The worst part was almost stopping at roundabouts and accelerating again, as the gearbox felt very slow to engage the clutch. I also managed to stall it once

Thanks for making such an informative video, Richard. As per usual.

Passed my driving test today thanks to your vids 😄😄

really great video. i have this thought too but didn't think it was solid enough to have in common with someone else, yet alone to have you make a video on it lol very insightful stuff

I drive a Honda Civic VTEC SE and it is a Semi Automatic. I experience the problems you mention such as slow lag when driving in auto mode and do manoeuvres the clutch let's it itself out too quickly so I'm having to stop start using the brake. Driving in Semi automatic mode is much better though because it is very similar to driving a manual and I feel I have more control of the car. I passed my test in a manual car so when I can, my next vehicle will be back driving a manual again. Another excellent video 👍 I can relate to most of what you was talking about. Cheers.

Thank you so much for this video. I feel vindicated. I told my ex for years that you have less control in an automatic and he just wouldn't listen. I've always felt less in control for all the reasons you mention. The lag around gear changes in an automatic can be the difference between getting into trouble and getting out of it. Passed my test 34 years ago today and would still choose a manual over an auto.

Hi Rochard! Thanks for another great video. I have been driving the same car in the video (I believe it's Citroen c4 II) for four months, it's my first car. I totally agree that the robotized gearbox gives you less control, and it feels like that often. Going uphill is one of the best examples of that, as you can't go to a lower gear to accelerate as fast as you need. Long story short, I'm still getting used to driving that robotized gearbox :)

I drive a CVT(Raize turbo) but previously a manual transmission car but I get more control with CVTs as long as it has paddle shifters or manual option. The downshift is smooth and fast temporarily which is very convenient.

Very true, you say what I was thinking. After driving manual coming to auto feeling . Special since it moves without actually pressing accelerate unless in neutral

I passed my driving test today:) Thank you very much without your chanel it would be much harder:)

I haven't start driving yet but I feel I can drive now 'cause I have watched all your videos to the end. I will be glad if you can do tutorials on automatic car as well. I like the way you teach 😊

I passed my test last year in a manual Fiesta, then drove for almost a year in my Dad’s 2011 Astra while I was waiting for a new car to come into stock. I found driving so stressful in my Dad’s car (for some reason, I struggled getting into third gear), so decided to get an automatic. I now have a 2022 MG ZS, and I LOVE it. It drives like a dream, loves hills and the motorway, and just wants to go. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a manual, but I’m glad I did a manual test so I have the option if I change my mind in the future.

All of these are very good points. Another way that automatics offer less control is when trying to start off in slippery conditions. I live in the US state of Maine, and there are times when the amount of snow or ice can make it difficult to even get the car moving without spinning the tires, especially uphill. With manual cars, I've been able to start off in second or even third gear when it was impossible to get the car moving in first. In a lot of automatic cars, however, selecting 2 or 3 doesn't actually lock it into second or third; it simply locks it out of the higher gears, but still starts off in first every time. Some newer cars have a "snow mode" that's supposed to make up for that deficiency, but I've never driven one, so I can't speak to its effectiveness or lack thereof. In addition to being able to start off in higher gears, there's also the ability to rock the car out of a snowdrift. A little dance with the clutch and accelerator, and I'm unstuck in no time. You can't really do that with an automatic. So in addition to the inherent inefficiencies in traditional torque converter automatics, people here also tend to buy a vehicle with all-wheel drive-which makes the vehicle consume even more fuel-to make up for that lack of control. I drove my old 1999 Saturn SL through winter conditions where people with 4×4 trucks were shocked that I was even able to make it through, practically plowing the snow with my front bumper. I'll take winter tires and a manual gearbox over a 4×4 automatic any day of the week. Also, when you drive an older car, the ability to push start the car if your starter gives out can save a hefty tow bill. I've had to do that on more than one occasion with some of my old cars.

I passed today with six minors and revised your videos ! Thank you .

My first car was a manual vw up then I got an automatic ASG vw up - it really wasn't that great. Very hesitant. I then got a manual fiat panda - love that little car so much! My panda is in the garage and I've had a courtesy car for 3 weeks or so - a brand new mazda 2 automatic skyactiv 6 speed and its night and day comapred to the ASG. So much control and so smooth. I'm going to save up to get an auto mazda 2 for my next car after the panda :)

The delay in gear changes can be overcome with a pedal box. This transformed my car, no hesitation at all now.

Hey I just want to say thanks! Pass my driving test today in first take!

A very informative video,well done..Sad to see the manual box is on the way out..I much prefer to choose my own gears,especially in snow..

Just to add to your electric section, they also have regen braking which is often configurable. In my leaf you make a similar gesture to downshifting in a manual car and it increases the regen/engine braking. Make the same gesture and it's back to normal.

I have a SEAT with a VW DSG auto box and it is absolutely brilliant, always has the right gear and smooth fast changes. I wouldn't ever go back to a manual again! Great video by the way.

I'm definitely at the point where I know when my car is going to shift and by taking my foot off or putting more power down, I can get it to go up or down gears. However there is a certain amount of unpredictability, the computer is constantly guessing what you want it to do next, which is a hard task. I've seen some cars do a pretty terrible job at this. Like you mentioned, a pseudo gear limiter helps alleviate this a bit. This 5-speed minivan I drive has a selector for all the lower gears (4,3,2,L), which makes it easier to control how the car behaves on hills, and allows me to "persuade" it into a lower gear when I need that level of control.

Hey Richard, thanks for your amazing videos. I just passed my test with 0 minors today! I couldn't afford an instructor so I just watched your videos and then practiced with my relatives. I genuinely dont think I would have passed without them!

I learned in central London in 1988 in an Austin Metro (manual, of course). I passed 2nd time round which I'm happy with. Since 1998 I've only had autos and would never go back to manual. I feel that I have plenty of control.

I had an Alfa 156 Selespeed (Silly speed), which was an early single clutch robotised manual. I stopped at my first roundabout on an incline after buying it, came off the brakes to go and it quickly started rolling backwards. I'd only driven manuals and Torque Converter autos before then. I soon learned to use the handbrake almost as a second clutch on hill starts - That's probably why I don't trust electronic handbrakes and hill hold systems now. I too tended to keep it in manual mode, but it became second nature to anticipate the automatic changes, coming off the gas just as it changed up - Made progress much smoother! Toyota and Lexus eCVTs are excellent, and Dual Clutch robots are much less annoying than Single Clutchers used to be, but can still be caught out.

i used to have a hyundai i30 with one of those slo-mo gearshifts. i no longer do, and i'm glad.

I can't remember these issues when I drove an automatic (bearing in mind I probably wasn't perceptive enough to notice them!), but having driven both I'm much happier on a manual.

I hope this video shows why we love manuals

DCT = best of both worlds. Good topic as always!

fantastic video, as always

The clue is in the word "automatic" ! By definition, you have less control if the car is in automatic. Maybe question should have been is it safer/more dangerous.

I love your clear style. My wife and I have driven manuals for decades, but now she has a front wheel drive PHEV. Recently, due to roadworks she had to mount the kerb to exit our minor street. There's no manual clutch, and the weight at the back prevented the rear wheels from getting up the kerb, the 'clutch' just slipped. Likewise, reversing the big car into the narrow garage, the 2cm lip of concrete requires quite high revs to lift the rear wheels, which then shoots the car backwards into the garage if you're not quick with the brake. Maybe there's a brake/accelerator combination we're not aware of. Any tips please? Maybe a series of tips videos for more mature drivers adapting to newer technology would do well on your channel. Thanks.

I drive a couple of cars both manual and auto. My Mercedes with a CVT doesn’t do any of the typical bad CVT things. Best gearbox I’ve ever had.

got a CVT transmission in my audi a6 c6, it's really smooth and efficient on fuel as you said, and I don't really mind the noise, except for a part where if you brake downhill, the revs start to go up

Just discovered you - great teaching channel.

One of my most nerve wracking experiences ever was trying to reverse a Renault Master automatic into a parking bay up a slope with limited space. Your options were backwards way too fast, or rolling forwards again. Was lovely driving forwards on trips, backwards or in tight spaces was plain scary. Was so glad when we replaced it with a manual one.

I've driven manuals for about 20 years and I just got an automatic last year, and I find it to be great fun. Maybe more fun than a manual. It's an X-Type 2.2D 6-speed so it has a lot of power, and I absolutely love just randomly sinking the boot and having constant acceleration, and not having to worry about changing gears. Especially going up steep hills. I almost never use manual mode because I just can't find any advantage to it, mostly because when I go to change gears it takes a second or so to do it, and it just doesn't feel right. Better to just let the car do it at the right time. Plus the fact that I forget to change gears half the time when in manual mode, and so the car eventually does it itself anyway! But I find that I can change gears with the accelerator anyway. If I want to drop a gear or two I'll just sink the pedal, and if I want to cruise in the current gear I'll just back off the revs very slightly.

This is interesting, I just passed in automatic in my own car, a 12 year old Nissan note, and I don’t feel these issues, could this be newer cars trying to be too clever over older automatic that didn’t have so much assistance? I love my little note, at 40 years old I just couldn’t get my head round manual and with a baby I needed to pass asap, and automatic changed my life and the stress and pressure I was under to learn, there’s definitely pros and cons but I couldn’t be happier with my note.

I have a 7G-DCT auto in my Mercedes and it's great, the gear changes up or down are very quick it's much quicker than someone could do in a manual.. I'll never go back to manual!

I don’t find automatic too difficult to control, but then again, I’ve never driven a manual. I passed my Red Ps test in a 2019 Haval SUV (bought when it was new and drove it while on my Ls as well) and while in does have a smidgen of turbo lag when it’s cold , I’ve driven it enough to be used to it. I haven’t had it really stop accelerating when the robot is changing gears. On the topic of creeping, my SUV is fantastic at creeping. Very interesting to see another perspective though! Thanks for the video Richard!

I'd always choose a manual for slippery or icy roads - though I drive an automatic. In Scandinavia... Still: If you loose grip while your car is in Drive or when breaking - your car becomes a sledding board going straight ahead no matter how much you turn the steering wheel, something manual control over the clutch (often) can solve in an instant. In an automatic the driver (and the mentioned "robot") can shift to Neutral, but I doubt as quickly as when stepping on the clutch in a manual. Split seconds that cost lives.

Are used to live in Essex. I loved it ❤

I spend a lot of time driving the traditional 4AT transmission from Toyota, a standard torque converter auto and honestly the slow speed crawling problem is not an issue. That issue will mostly happen on iMTs, AMTs, and DCTs as far as I can tell where there is an actuated clutch. ATs are okay for normal driving but takes out a lot of the fun factor, unless you have really good ATs such as the Mazda 6 speed, ZF-8 speed in newer BMWs or even the one found in the latest G80 M3s those are also really fun and hardcore automatics.

As a person living here in the US, most cars here are still have torque convertor transmissions. Economy cars tend to have a CVT with an inbuilt torque convertor. Dual clutch transmissions generally seem to be reserved for more 'sporty' cars, by which I mean lower cars and hot hatches. I'm not sure what the body types are called, but by lower cars I mean pretty much any body style where you aren't sitting in a fully upright position. What I am meaning to say overall is that the torque convertor transmission is still the dominant style here in the US. I think most people are used to the way that coming off the brake starts the car moving forward slightly. Single clutch automatic transmissions are very rare. I've only ever driven one car that had a single clutch automatic, and it just never had any power when I wanted it, which made it at least feel like the slowest car I have ever driven. I so think that it really was the slowest I've ever driven though. Suffice to say, people over here absolute are not going to buy a car that has a single clutch automatic unless it's a super budget car. I would like to add to the argument for manual transmissions that sometimes automatics just can't decide which gear they want to be in. I've driven in a car where on cruise control up a certain grade slope, it would hop between gears. You you would start off in what was presumably sixth, then it would bump down two gears (and it went down the gears like a sequential, one at a time) give a burst of power, acceleration, and engine noise for approximately a second, before jumping back up through 5th to 6th gear. It would stay in 6th for maybe two or three seconds, before repeating the cycle. It's like it couldn't decide whether to be in 4th or 6th and completely ignored 5th, which would have been the ideal gear for that slope. I should add as well that this car was not very smooth at downshifting. You would feel a lurch of acceleration every time it went down a gear, making the above behaviour especially annoying.

My car is 2012 and is torque converter AT, also many new cars are going back to torque converter AT... And TBH, neither is it slow (I mean gearbox), niether is MPG high vs manual... Also I have a Lexus ls600h, which is eCVT with 5.0 V8 engine, and it's eCVT is only adding like 50ish hp to it's 400 and is used for smooth drive and it works as normal CVT, just it changes gear ratios via two electric motors... ;) keep it up...

Been driving for over 40 years and in that time ive driven 3 automatics, hated them apart for just cruising around maybe. I was probably a faster than average driver and the extra control at speed using engine braking and clutch control for precise turning in etc at corners is enough to make me stick to manual boxes. I never really drove the autos enough to really notice the other things you pointed out, but at slow speed the clutch IS the control so NOT having one feels like having virtually no control over the car.

A bunch of years ago I've learnt on manual (and got my licence). Was pretty stressed, and I didn't drive (life happens). Now in different country decided to relearn, found a teacher but she has automatic. I wasn't happy but husband said I should give it a go. I hate that car 😂 it's slow, non reactive and many times she said/yell to me 'give the gas' on highway and I would answer/yell back 'I'm giving'... That's frustrating. I definitely don't have a feeling that I have any control in that car, also i don't hear the engine so I have to watch speedometer like a hawk otherwise I'm either too fast or too slow (I'm in Switzerland, going 5 over the limit is 40 chf/usd/eur fine, going 9 is 100). Car we have is older gen Miata. I was nervous to sit down in it, but oh boy, how smooth that thing rides. I really have a feeling it reacts to my thoughts and intentions, that's how reactive it is. And by the engine sound I know the speed I'm going, so making the ride much safer since I watch the road and not the speedometer. I had a plan to do few more hours with instructor just for (more) highways, but I'm dreading that car. Only thing I really like in that car is that it has seat cooling system 😂 in Miata I'm enjoying the ride, despite the (still) stressful situations (basically any new one is causing me a bit of anxiety, last ones were having low fuel lamp going on and getting lost/doing too many wrong turns despite the satnav 😂). Your videos helped me much more than instructor (she is great to be second pair of eyes and legs, because I was very anxious about that, and correct me on the spot, but you explain reasons and techniques much much better, so I could really learn my car fast and understand what I should do instead of poor thing I did), so thank you once again on making them! Ok granted, Miata is not your common manual car, but that automatic is just poor car even on its own. Like I'm trying to manoeuvre an elephant 😂

i am learning to drive in my parent's electric car and i love the control you can achieve with the regenerative braking. i couldn't imagine driving anything else !

My peugeot 2008 with the 8 speed auto is a dream to drive all the control you could ever need. I dont see the need for a manual these days tbf

On my automatic 2009 Astra I never had any issues with jerkiness at low speed. It was always perfectly smooth, and I mean perfectly. As for speed control, it did the jerkiness thing twice in 10 years. At all other times it has been excellent. I don't drive like a twitchy boy-racer so I suppose that helps.

As someone in the US I've never knew auto manuals were that common in parts of the word, I've only heard of them a few times, mostly on a few less common luxury / sports cars, never have driven in one. Most cars in the US are torque converter automatics, 2nd would be CVT. I do own a normal manual though & I would agree I feel like I have more control than in my other car with a normal torque converter auto. I can even feel the engine braking varying slightly with a torque converter as the trans shifts down & it doesn't always shift at the best times. sometimes they like to kick down when I only want to slowly speed up, or sometimes you want to get moving fast & it feels like there is a delay before it finally decides it wants to drop down a gear. I like that solid connection feeling you get in a manual & knowing for sure how the car is going to pull based what gear I put it in & how much engine braking I'll have when I let off the gas.

One of the biggest things for me when driving an auto when used to a manual was slowing the car to a stop at traffic lights or a roundabout, in a manual I’d be subconsciously using the gears as a reference point to smoothly bring the car to a stop, whereas in an auto you don’t have that so I found I was approaching lights or roundabouts a little bit too quick and would have to break heavier

I have a new generation BMW 1 series and I have to say the automatic gearbox in that is unbelievable. The control it gives you over a manual is incredible, power delivery is instant and gear changes are buttery smooth. Although it is a £30k car and a BMW so at that price point you should expect quality

If you want an automatic as daily driver, get a cvt. It’s the most boring transmission but is so simple to use and understand. Plus its smooth as hell to use :D

I learned to drive 10 years ago in a manual but just hated the clutch. I now have a self-charging Toyota Yaris Hybrid (with an eCVT) and it's not only smooth AF but driving is far more enjoyable. I can focus on what's going on outside of the car and what everyone else is doing instead of faffing around with the bloody clutch. I have not experienced the braking or "nudging" problems you mention but I can definitely feel the lack of "oomph" when I need to speed up again after slowing right down for a roundabout, but it's not a big deal and the money I'm saving by using the electricity it generates makes up for it! I remember my instructor saying that if cars were invented today, they would be automatic.

One situation in which owning a manual saved me from getting towed was in the winter. I parked with my front wheels in a small ditch (couldn't see it because of the snow) and when I tried to get going there was not enough grip to get out. But a bit of back and forth, using the clutch and 2nd gear to move forward and drop backwards, I swayed myself hard enough that I got out. My friend, automatic car with new Michelin winter tyres had to get pushed by 4 people and we barely managed to get him out

Often drivers in autos dont realise that gear changing is controlled by the right foot and you need to be sensitive with it if you dont want it to change down. If you are heavy footed it will change up and down all the time.

I have a Volkswagen Passat with a DSG gearbox and it's absolutely superb! It's a dual clutch gearbox but works fantastic. You should try one Richard

This is so true, ive always had a car with a manual transmission, i have now a car with dsg, i also think that i have less control over the car.

I just love the idea that I can push start my car if I ever need to.

Just got my self a 2014 EVO GSR Manual 5 speed and it was tunned up as well. I am a first time manual driver too. Been getting better watching a lot of videos even yours. 🫡

If any learners are interested, you can use what are called "Semi-Automatics" with an Automatic only license - Cars with automatic gearboxes with a manual mode - This is because the law relates to the use and operation of a physical clutch pedal, since this requires additional training to learn. I completed my driving test in August and went with Automatic - I'm not really that bothered about driving to be honest as I know most of the driving I'll be doing is commuting and trips out so for me, I was just wanting to "get on the road" - Perhaps in a few years I'll do manual as I do love cars, just not commuting haha

As an HGV driver, most lorries especially the big ones have automatic transmission, mainly to save fuel as the "robot" thing in it short changes the gears in the green band to minimise revs. But they are a pain in the arse to "feather" them in manoevering to loading bays, they lurch and jump and hiss and puff, but oh well that's life!

As a young American, I did not know these kinds of automatics existed. I was only aware of torque converters, dual clutch, and cvt. This kind seems like it would be torture to drive. My dad's car is a manual and I prefer to drive it because it's fun but I don't mind mine with a torque converter.

My favorite transmission is the CVT, as it keeps the RPM's low when you are on cruise control, which saves on gas. Then when you do need a bit extra gas, the engine might just go up ~500 RPM. And not go up ~2,000 like in a manual or automatic, which uses more gas. I want a Mitsubishi Mirage, which has 2 options, a 5 speed manual, and a CVT. I will be getting the CVT. It does make the car a tad slower, as it has 78 HP, but it still has plenty of power, and can get about 50 MPG if drove easy. And more if you really try to get good MPG.

All of that is very specific to this style of gearbox.

Great analysis as always. I own a 'robotized' automatic here in India. I used automatic mode when I was a new driver but now I drive only in 'manual mode'. And you will have as much control as a manual car without the hassle of operating the clutch.

If you get suck in snow with a 2-wheel drive car it is much harder if not impossible to get out if you have an automatic. I had a Ford focus manual FWD and I was able to wiggle the car back and forth by changing gears from 1 to R really quickly in-between the wiggles and managed to get out of the snow. We tried the same thing with a 4x4 automatic and had no luck. So in some situations I'd argue that you do have more control with a manual.

manual driver here, great video. save the manuals!

I wish i could find a automatic only driving channel, i cherish the odd ones i find

Thanks for explaining this! I have struggled to explain this to my automatic driving peers. The time delay it takes for the automatic gearbox to calculate the required gear is not always comfortable whilst driving. Sometimes when driving an auto I want to accelerate swiftly into the roundabout right before I've crawled to a complete stop and I find the car getting caught out. It would take 1-2 seconds to acknowledge and process my acceleration so I find myself temporarily coasting into the roundabout. Also when you get used to engine breaking in a manual you find yourself having to adjust to using the foot break alot more. Especially when the automatic gearbox tends to use as high a gear as possible.

In my Skoda Octavia mk2 the DSG is so good, that if I didn’t see the revs dropping, I wouldn’t know it changed gears. It is so smooth and so fast that it almost feels like electric car, and that is almost 20 years old car. And also it does revmatch when downshifting itself, so really I don’t have to do much more than hold the gas pedal and the car does everything almost perfectly. For me, incomparably smoother than any manual could ever be.

On the topic of hill asist, the van I drive for work has it too, but when the start-stop system is enabled it shuts off when on the break, but when letting go of the break it takes a second to start up and in that moment it rolls backwards

my Mazda 2 auto(third gen 2016 model) seems to work differently than this Citreon', Mazda use their Skyactiv-Drive CVT dual clutch but doesn't seem to have the issues you mentioned with CVTs. I have none of the problems this Citreon has with accelerating, breaking, control at super low speeds etc, it's super smooth and feels just like driving the manuals that I used to.

I only drive/know automatic so thanks for clearly explaining how manual offers more control to the driver. I'm curious on your thoughts on the future of electric vehicles. When do you think they will become mainstream?