Help me understand the manual preference

I plan to teach both my sons--now ages 9 & 11--how to drive stick on this truck.

 

1. Because I do what I want!
2. More control.
3. The manuals come with larger rear differentials.
4. Don't need Crawl Control to drive for me off road.
5. I don't need that extra cup holder.
6. Automatic transmission have failed me numerous times in the past on the one personal vehicle I owned with one and several work trucks.
7. Less maintenance/maintenance cost.
8. In my experience I have always gotten better fuel economy from a manual transmission than friends with automatics in same model vehicles.
9. It stays in the gear I put it in. Ever tried hauling hay in an automatic transmission truck? Some of y'all will know what I am talking about on that, a lot won't.
10. You can pull/push start it if need be.
11. I'm just old school I guess.

 

I've driven manuals about as much as I've driven automatics over the last 20 years. Manuals are fun for all other times when you aren't in stop and go bumper to bumper traffic. I went with an auto this round and am totally happy with it.

 

Autos are quieter off road, and always in the right gear. You can think about spotting wildlife, taking photos, and enjoying the day while the tedium of rowing up and down through the gears is done by the truck. A manual is either screaming or lugging and scares the wildlife.

 

Im happy I got an auto as my first offroad vehicle...learned a lot about actual offroading and methodical wheel placement ect that probably would have been more difficult and sure as heck more gut wrenching if it had been a stick.

BUT, nowadays I do want a stick again. At least in the FJ you get full-time AWD and a better gear ratio with a 6 speed. Now that I have gained some offroad skills, I could live with a stick again.

 

Tomato, Tomatoe
I enjoy shifting through gears it keeps me more alert and focused. I do like the fact that not as many people can drive my truck.
Other than that get what you want, it's your damn truck!

 

What can you control more in an automatic that you can't do in a manual? Not trying to be smart. All of my cars have been manual. I only drive auto occasionally.

 

How the FK would you have electricity for the ignition to get started? On a diesel for sure, but on an auto with absolutely no juice??

 

I went with the auto because driving and shooting is really hard with a manual transmission.....:/

 

This is from someone that knows nothing about modern automatic transmissions.

 

Haha, except for you can coast into the wildlife with the engine off, haven't executed many sneak attacks obviously

 

Cant prevent downshifts in the auto. I hate that.

 

I believe when the truck is rolling, you select a 1st gear with the clutch depressed and the key in the "on" position. When some speed is attained, you simply let the clutch out. The engine is now connected the the wheels, which are turning, and rotates the engine and its accessories, including the alternator. Then you're engine starts. And you're very pleased you bought the MT.

 

No it's not, it's easy....maybe try challenging yourself once in awhile

 

Let me guess, you live in California or are from there?

 

It's not that simple though. The alternator needs an initial jump to start generating electricity. If the battery is kaput the truck will not start, because there's no electric to power the ignition or fuel system. The battery would have to have at least a tiny bit of juice.

 

You're sayin the alternator needs electricity to start generating electricity?

 

Yes.

 

Anything with a steptronic that I've driven is very harsh with the down shifts, I don't think that would be good in icy conditions. I hat hauling a trailer in an auto that's for sure

 

Do you know why that would be?