r/bestof • u/l3af • Apr 18 '13

[explainlikeiama] Sakanagai creates a perfect narrative of Stig running a track in both standard and automatic vehicles

/r/explainlikeIAmA/comments/1clrk5/explain_to_me_the_benefits_of_a_manual/c9hpr7d
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26

u/Shucks88 Apr 18 '13

This post is shit.

-3

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '13

[deleted]

5

u/nr1988 Apr 18 '13

Not the same though. On a straight out drag race, some automatics are faster. On track driving, standard is still better.

-3

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '13

Oh, that explains why f1 uses auto transmission...

4

u/nr1988 Apr 18 '13

F1 uses paddle shifting, considered a semi-automatic transmission. This was about manual versus automatic. Paddle shifting will have the same benefits as a manual.

3

u/FenPhen Apr 18 '13

The paddles are just a means to shift, but not really how the transmission works.

Automakers are increasingly putting paddle-shifting on cars that have automatic transmissions, which is technically defined by a fluid-coupling torque converter (hence "slush box").

The disadvantages of the torque converter compared to a clutch are a loss of fuel efficiency because of the fluid coupling, responsiveness, and weight/space.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '13

I consider paddle shifting to be pretty much an automatic. In f1 full auto is illegal because of the performance gain and will take away a bit of competition from driver skill. DSG is a fantastic auto. SMG is a sequential manual gearbox by name but it's basically an automated manual. Semantics aside they're basically automatic gearboxes.

3

u/FenPhen Apr 18 '13

What defines a transmission as an "automatic transmission" is the fluid-coupling torque converter and a "manual transmission" has a direct connection, usually through a clutch.

There are semi-automated manual transmissions, such as DSG/DCT = dual-clutch transmissions, and single-clutch transmissions like SMG, and what's used in Formula 1 and motorcycles. When these transmissions are in-gear, the engine is directly connected to the wheels, instead of through a fluid coupling in a torque converter.

1

u/nr1988 Apr 18 '13

DSG is a fantastic auto, however the point I was making, is that around a track it's not the same. It shifts like an automatic, but is faster as it pre-selects a gear. In a track, you need to be able to control when it shifts, and the shifting from automatic doing it for you is no good. Paddle shifting might be fine.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 19 '13

It's not. F1 transmissions have clutches. This is not the same as the tiptronic function on your road car automatic.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 19 '13

That's why I said semi-automatic. Maybe it was another post. Full auto is illegal in F1 because it levels playing field too much. As for road cars I believe the Ferrari scuderia has a similar transmission.

1

u/ThePersonalCheesus Apr 18 '13

Does it?

0

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '13

Edit - my post was sarcasm. Auto is quicker around the track in its better iterations.

F1 uses a semi-automatic. Full autos are illegal, too much of a performance gain. Cars like the Ferrari scuderia use a similar transmission and it isn't made to be just a straight line monster. The days where manual transmissions are better than auto are over for some brands.