The Endless Debate: Manual vs Automatic

There’s a standing debate between the efficiency of manual and automatic transmission vehicles. People of both camps quickly defend their preference, detailing reasons for their choice. 

According to Clean Fuel, a petrol supplier, manual transmission fans swear their vehicles are more budget-friendly and fuel-efficient, while automatic transmission advocates beg to differ (1). 

What’s certain is that a manual car has better control of gear changes. Manual transmission lets a skilled driver decide on the gear for the road condition and speed, giving drivers more control over the vehicle.

On the flip side, automatic transmission fans highlight the convenience and ease of automatic gear changes. An automatic box is an excellent choice for those who want an easy uphill drive and ease on traffic-laden roads.

At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. Selecting something like your transmission depends on factors that best suit your lifestyle and location. Both types of gearboxes offer significant benefits.

Hate Traffic? These Cities Endure It Daily

If you constantly complain about the traffic situation in your town, know that it may be far worse in some cities worldwide. Traffic has become so common in these places that it has become a daily battle for some space.

The TomTom Traffic Index conducts annual analyses by collecting data from various sources to assess and show how traffic has evolved in cities around the globe (2). This information is used to advise on policy and by transport industry players.

According to the 2023 data, the topmost metropolitan area on the traffic scale is Manila, Philippines, with an average travel time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds per 10 kilometers. This is followed closely by Lima, Peru, at 24 minutes and 20 seconds. 

Other metropolitan centers in the top 10 are Bengaluru, India; Sapporo, Japan; Bogota, Colombia; Taichung, Taiwan; Mumbai, India; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Pune, India; and Nagoya, Japan. 

With three metropolitan centers in India on the list of the most congested, it is safe to assume that they have it pretty intense when it comes to those wretched road jams.

What Drives You To Buy a Car?

A 2021 study published in the Journal of Asian Transport Studies highlights the key factors influencing car ownership (3). It found that motivations like status, personal image, enthusiasm for cars, and external pressures play significant roles in purchasing a vehicle, even when practical needs are met.

Beyond individual motivations, urban development also impacts car ownership. According to Julieta Chavez Delua, senior specialist with Habitat for Humanity, choosing to go carless can offer both personal and community benefits in cities with efficient public transport systems (4). Benefits include cost savings on fuel, insurance, and maintenance and a healthier community with lower emissions and more walkable areas.

By improving public transport options and rethinking car ownership as a status symbol, communities can potentially reduce car dependency and lower environmental impact, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

References

1. Clean Fuel. “Manual Vs Automatic Transmission: Advantages and Disadvantages.” Cleanfuel, 2024. | https://www.cleanfuel.ph/manual-vs-automatic-transmission-advantages-and-disadvantages/
2. TomTom. “TomTom Traffic Index Ranking 2023.” TomTom.com, 2023. | https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/ranking/
3. Meena Sanu. “Identification of psychological factors associated with car ownership decisions of young adults: A case study of Jodhpur city, India.” Department of Civil Engineering, University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, March 18, 2021. | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eastsj.2021.100037
4. Julieta Chavez Delua. “Top 10 cities where you can live without a car and help save the Earth.” Habitat for Humanity, 2024. | https://www.habitat.org/stories/top-10-cities-where-you-can-live-without-car-and-help-save-earth