It is a strange fact that while generally in life, we prefer
everything to be done automatically and simply, in India
we still like to have manual gear shifts in our cars. Automatic
transmissions may be termed the choice of the discerning
automobile user. By choosing an automatic over a manual,
you not only do justice to the engine but also do justice to yourself.
Allow me to explain how. Many people in our country have
the habit of riding on the clutch. This leads to premature wear
and tear of its plate resulting in frequent clutch re-builds. I
know of certain people who religiously send their cars for
clutch re-builds after doing every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres.
This is no doubt a very good business for the garage but to you,
as an automobile owner, it is a very disconcerting expense, especially
when the modern automobile proclaims itself to be
virtually maintenance free for at least 75,000 kms. In a modern
car a clutch job could cost anything between a mere Rs. 8,000
and a hundred thousand rupees depending on its maker.In return an Automatic Transmission, as the name implies, shifts gears on its own once the type of drive is activated 'Sports, Normal, Economy & Reverse'. Today automatic transmissions have become highly sophisticated with some passenger cars even having seven gears. They also use the Electronic Control Unit to make the shifting of gears silk smooth and thus makes the hand operated shifter "Idiot proof". This system prevents any accidental misuse of the gear shifter under any delirious conditions and makes the engine and transmissions safe from overrevving accidentally! The clutch in this system automatically engages and disengages, thereby leading to smooth gearshifts, less wear and tear on the transmission mechanism and gives added comfort to the user. It is especially applicable to all our metros of Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai, where traffic is something of a nightmare. Bumper-to-bumper traffic at office hours and at many other times results in constant pressure on the clutch. Due to frequent clutching and declutching, the car creeps forward. Add to this the load of the air-conditioner in summer months and you have some idea of the punishment an average engine takes.
