why do americans drive automatics?
- Thread starter sam83uk
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Not that this thread is about seatbelts so much, but quite an interesting read none the lessSone said:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=40830
Associate
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the fact that 50% of americans are over weight has absolutely nothing to do with why they have auto boxes, do you write for the daily mail when your not pulling random facts out of your *** and putting them together?
Soldato
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My 1850 (a '78) had a Borg Warner 65 autobox and it was fantastic - really did make it great fun to drive. Lovely clean, sharp shifts and a good kickdown! Much better than most modern autoboxes too, in terms of dynamics and how it behaved. Just shows you they could learn some stuff from the older tech.
Great to drive by nudging it through the gears too, good sing to it
Quite economical too, although it did soften what power the 1850 had to simply useful, instead of entertaining 
From experience, it's better than the auto box in a Mercedes C240, a Saab 9-3, a new Jeep Cherokee, for example (just what I've driven to compare). Much better throttle response, too....
Great to drive by nudging it through the gears too, good sing to it
Quite economical too, although it did soften what power the 1850 had to simply useful, instead of entertaining From experience, it's better than the auto box in a Mercedes C240, a Saab 9-3, a new Jeep Cherokee, for example
(just what I've driven to compare). Much better throttle response, too....
Man of Honour
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Automatic transmission seems to be very popular in N. America....I remember my girlfriend telling me she was starting driving lessons etc and had learnt to drive, and the theory, so then I asked her what she did....well, she pressed the pedal and steered a bit...I don't call that driving! 
I think it's just a result of better tech/marketing and cheaper cars.
Automatics are great for certain situations...and when going on huge long jouneys like ze Yanks do I'd much rather an auto than a manual.
I think it's just a result of better tech/marketing and cheaper cars.
Automatics are great for certain situations...and when going on huge long jouneys like ze Yanks do I'd much rather an auto than a manual.
barnettgs said:My friend has commented to me before about driving auto on ice isn't easy because there is no clutch. How would you slow down on ice in auto without touching the brake (to avoid gearing down)?
Just curious to know.
In the 9-5 it has a "Winter" mode that helps you out. (Pulls away in 3rd, things like that)
Plus you can change gears with the flappy padels if you want.
I'd imagine most Autos would have something similar.
MonkeyMan said:
You can hold the gears right to the end in an auto if it has a sport mode, normally
select a lower gear. Most autos have low, 3, 4. Low being 1st, second and as has allready been mentioned some have a winter mode this normally changes to a higher gear at lower revs than normal, or like mine lets you pull away in 3rd.barnettgs said:My friend has commented to me before about driving auto on ice isn't easy because there is no clutch. How would you slow down on ice in auto without touching the brake (to avoid gearing down)?
Just curious to know.
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Soldato
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Or just select them using the shifter, most conventional autoboxes allow you to hold whichever gear you desire (although sometimes not all of them - i.e. on a 4 speed box you can't select 4th because it is effectively the "D" position)
(although sometimes not all of them - i.e. on a 4 speed box you can't select 4th because it is effectively the "D" position)
Flat4 said:
or perhaps it so you don't take you eyes of the road and have the least time for your hands ot be off the steering wheel, thus causing less crashes.
Also as Jez says unless you enjoy driving, which 80%+ don't why have manual..
Von Luck said:
Its much easier to tow with an auto. Have you ever tried manoeuvering a 1500kg trailer round a tight industrial estate with a manual? Clutch gets rather whiffy when reversing slowly round corners. Also much easier to pull out of side turnings.
Jez said:
Good point. Okay then Flat4, sam83uk - how about we label electric windows and electric sunroof setups as being for "fat and lazy" people? After all, they're only there to make opening a window or sunroof less work. And while we're at it - brake servo's can be stuck in that category, as they're only there to make pushing the brake pedal less effort. Power steering, that can join them....traction control and ABS can as well, since they are only there because drivers are too lazy to modulate the throttle pedal or cadence brake.....
