Thread: Auto Vs. Manual....

I have both - a 300tdi auto D1 and an 87 Isuzu County - and in the very toughest situations I think I prefer the auto... the only place I've ever got stuck with the auto was on a steep greasy hill and I think the same condition would have defeated the manual anyway - just needed extra traction which was achieved by altering course onto some somewhat less mixed soup.

I haven't yet found a sand dune that has defeated either of them even with a trailer on - that doesn't mean one would not exist with a steep side facing the late afternoon sun....

Breaking traction isn't going to be a problem in high range with the 300tdi auto, and it doesn't seem to be a problem in low range 3rd or above in the County.

I nearly bought a 300tdi defer which was converted to ZF auto last year but someone else beat me to it... I stay on the lookout for one.

So there - consider it as free opinion/experience - payment not required

I've had this discussion many times around the campfire. I always thought that a manual was the only way to go when offroading simply because I thought that engine braking was better and there was a better selection of gears to choose from giving you more options when lining up a big hill. But! if you start running out of power on said big hill you can't change gears in a manual without losing traction. In an auto you have a torque converter which does all the work for you meaning if you need more power you just put your foot down and you'll have no traction loss. I still think engine braking is better in manuals but I know now you can modify an auto box to improve engine braking, so well that you can stall an engine with a modified auto box much the same as stopping in a manual without using the clutch.

I prefer a manual still though only because its more fun, I think you get better fuel economy and If something goes wrong you still have a chance of getting home.

cheers, Andy

Really slow stuff there is an auto advantage...riding the clutch wears it out faster.
In every other situation I'll have a manual thanks.
Better economy, better engine braking, better control all round.
If first low is low enough you won't be riding much clutch anyhow especially if you have a bit of torque to play with.
All in all ill have manual thanks.

It's the speed (and hence torque) control of a manual that I love.

The Grey Box of EVIL.. (aka autotransmission) that thread post 33 onwards, the first 32 posts are just stuff about how they work.

How about a modified auto?..... manual valve body, Ratchet shifter, Manual lock up converter........ best of both worlds then

I've never had an issue with engine braking in the auto.
1 low I've found to be fantastic for crawling down the sides of hills.

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

I've never had an issue with engine braking in the auto.
1 low I've found to be fantastic for crawling down the sides of hills.

And if the speed starts creeping up, stick the air con on. Works a treat in the D1.