Today, automatic gearboxes are not unusual in Europe, including Hungary. While drivers are becoming less and less averse to it, the technology itself has come a long way: a modern DSG gearbox, for example, offers a significantly more seamless, comfortable driving experience than the somewhat experimental solutions from the technology’s early days. But what are the advantages and disadvantages, and which ones are worth renting?
The pros and cons of automatic and manual gearboxes
Let’s start our comparison with the well-known conventional gearbox.
The manual/conventional gearbox
In Hungary, most of us have learned to drive a car using a conventional gearbox, so most people don’t need an introduction to the technology. But let’s look at the pros and cons briefly:
The advantages of a manual gearbox:
- It is highly responsive, giving the driver more control
- Allows more dynamic driving and overtaking with the same engine power
- An extra ‘interface’ with the engine, to get a better feel for what’s happening under the bonnet
- It can make driving more enjoyable
The disadvantages of a manual gearbox:
- One additional thing to watch out for
- A truly professional use requires routine
- The car may shut down with it
- A usually higher consumption if you are not careful
The automatic gearbox and how to use it
Automatic gearboxes, on the other hand, are a new generation of gearboxes that are continuously gaining ground. For those who are still learning about the technology, here is a brief list of the letter codes that manufacturers use on the gearbox:
- P – parking: when the car comes to a standstill, effectively a permanent stop of the vehicle
- R – reverse
- N (neutral) – idle
- D – driving, traffic movement
- S (sport) – high revs, sporty driving
- B – engine brake
- M – manual gear change
- L (low) – slow speed
But what do they actually mean? The L gear is similar to shifting into 1st or 2nd gear in a manual gearbox. In this gear, the car will not upshift even if the revs are at or above the required speed. This feature can be useful in special situations, such as when towing or driving on a slippery slope. (In older gearboxes, signals 1 and 2 have a similar function.) Long story short: if you need to climb a hill, this is the way to do it!
In addition, there are other automatic transmission gears, such as the S level of the automatic gearbox. The S gear is the sport mode for conventional automatic gearboxes. In Sport mode, the automatic gearbox upshifts at higher revs.
By contrast, on models that can also be shifted manually, the S gear in the automatic gearbox indicates sequential mode. In this mode, you can shift between gears manually, one at a time (similarly to a normal manual gearbox).
In hybrid Toyotas and electric Renaults, for example, there are also gears that act as engine brakes. It should be used in situations where you’d already be downshifting with a manual gearbox – for example, when you see red lights ahead or when driving downhill.
But now let’s look briefly at the advantages and disadvantages:
The advantages of an automatic gearbox:
- It is much easier to use
- One pedal less: no need to use the clutch
- The car won’t shut down with it
- Its use is not distracting, so you can concentrate more on the road and navigation
- A more seamless driving experience even without significant experience
- Slightly lower consumption by default (for novice drivers)
The disadvantages of an automatic gearbox:
- Gives the driver less control
- You have less contact with the engine
- Any failure may be more costly to fix
- If you learn to drive using this technology, you may have problems with manual gears later
Is automatic or manual better when you rent a car?
It depends. If you’re an experienced driver, you’ll probably have no problems with the manual gearbox of an unfamiliar car, and you’ll soon get used to it. But if you don’t have much experience and you’re driving in difficult, unfamiliar terrain, for example in a big city abroad, you might be better off not complicating your life and opting for an automatic gearbox.
Looking to rent a car?
If you’re thinking of renting a car for a getaway or a business trip, it’s worth checking out several options. Or if you have already decided to rent a car, it’s important to carefully consider who to rent it from.
Schiller Autó is a family business that builds on the experience of two generations and three decades. Their car rental business, Schiller Rent, has adapted its services to the needs of mostly foreign travellers, while also serving Hungarian customers with devotion. Those arriving from abroad can collect their pre-booked cars from safes at the Ferihegy airport, 0-24. If you book in advance, after paying the fee you will receive a PIN code that you can use to collect your car keys from the safe and you are ready to go!