What Are the Differences Between Automatic and Manual Transmission in Subject 2?
3 Answers
Subject 2 for manual transmission requires controlling the clutch, while everything else is the same. The differences between manual and automatic transmission are as follows: 1. Working Principle: Manual transmission changes the gear meshing position inside the gearbox by shifting the gear lever to alter the transmission ratio, thereby achieving speed change. Automatic transmission, on the other hand, uses planetary gear mechanisms for speed change, automatically adjusting gears based on the degree of throttle pedal and vehicle speed changes. 2. Operation: Manual transmission requires stepping on the clutch for manual gear shifting and reversing. Automatic transmission does not require stepping on the clutch, having only the brake and accelerator, with D for drive, N for neutral, P for park, and R for reverse. 3. Economic Aspects: Manual transmission is more mature in technology, cheaper in price, and easier for later maintenance and repairs, while automatic transmission is the opposite.
When I was learning to drive, the manual transmission in the second driving test really gave me a hard time. Just the hill start alone was enough to drive me crazy—you had to control the clutch, accelerator, and handbrake simultaneously. A slight lapse in attention would cause the car to stall or roll back. I failed the test twice because of this. Later, switching to the automatic transmission for the second test was a breeze. Nowadays, many places have even removed the hill start from the automatic transmission test, leaving only basic items like parallel parking and reversing into a bay. All you need to do is control the steering wheel while stepping on the brake, without worrying about gear shifts or stalling. Practice time was also cut in half, and instructors often say automatic transmission students can usually take the test in just two weeks. However, it’s worth noting that an automatic-only license restricts you to driving automatic cars. If you ever want to drive a manual pickup truck or an older taxi, you’ll have to retake the test. Nowadays, most family cars are automatic, so the average office worker really doesn’t need to struggle with a manual transmission license.
Over the years of teaching students, I've noticed significant differences between automatic and manual transmission in Subject 2 of the driving test. Manual transmission learners struggle most with the challenging tasks of hill starts and the 100-meter gear shifting exercise, requiring constant clutch control with their left foot and gear changes with their hands, demanding excellent hand-foot coordination. Automatic transmission Subject 2 eliminates these complex tasks, requiring only four maneuvers: reverse parking, parallel parking, S-curve, and 90-degree turns. The entire process simplifies to three operations: left foot idle, right foot on brake, and hands steering. This significantly reduces test pressure, and it's common to see automatic transmission candidates pass on their first attempt, while manual transmission candidates often get stuck on clutch control. I recommend carefully considering before learning - if you won't be driving trucks or manual transmission vehicles in the future, automatic transmission Subject 2 saves time and effort. Of course, manual transmission licenses offer broader applicability, which requires personal consideration. For automatic transmission learners, it's best to find a training car with electronic parking brake - hill starts become as simple as pressing the accelerator without worrying about rolling back.
