I’ve driven with manual transmissions for over 50 years and now find myself with an automatic. Since I never replaced a clutch in cars driven over 100,000 miles can I expect a well maintained AT do do the same?

Simply put, yes. A WELL maintained automatic will outlive the car. I’ve known many to live well into 200K miles. The key is well-maintained, and having problems addressed QUICKLY.

I also think autos are likely to require replacement sooner. I had to replace the auto in my benz at only about 250,000 miles (probably due to some neglect by a previous owner). I have over 150,000 on the new one (with proper maintenance), hopefully I won’t have to replace the silly thing every 25…

Comparing a manual transmission with an automatic transmissions reminds me of the old saying about “you can’t add apples and oranges”. Rather than comparing the longevity of a manual transmission (almost unlimited, IMHO) with an automatic transmission, you should be comparing the clutch on a manual…

First of all, the clutch is NOT part of the transmission. There is no simple answer to your question. Some automatics last “forever” and others fail before 100K miles. It depends on the make, and how the transmission was maintained. In my opinion a manual transmission has the potential to last m…

It also depends on how the manual is shifted. If the driver uses the synchros and shifts down through the gears with each stop, then there will be more wear. Granted the clutch is not a part of the tranny per se, but it’s part of the system that makes the tranny work. Sitting at stop lights with…

Too many variables. Although, all in all I’d vote for the manual tranny. You might have to replace the clutch at some point, but that’s all most likely. Newer A/T’s have so many electronics, sensors, and other little gizmos’ that can break I think the A/T is the weak link in many cars. And, when the…

If you live in a mountenous area, your manual transmission will be OK but you will go through several clutches before the car expires. Similar in city driving, e.g. San Francisco. An automatic, on the other hand, if maintained carefully and driven conservatively, will likely last the life of the ca…

Provided every thing else is the same ( both are equally well built and taken care of ) I would bet on manual transmission specially if I have the vehicle since day zero. If I am buying used then I would be careful of manual transmission, because a poor driver can wreck it real easy. Automaitcs are …

I think the question is “Will an automatic transmission last as long as a typical clutch?” I’ve read and re-read the OP a couple of times. I agree that a well maintained manual transmission will completely outlive an automatic, the same cannot be said for the clutch. I’ve only had one car with the …

Which lasts longer--manual or auto transmission

Maintenance/Repairs

andrew_j November 24, 2007, 9:19pm 3

I disagree. It really depends on the particular vehicle make/model. Some last well into 300k range while others have trouble lasting between 100k-150k. Very few manual tranny’s if properly driven have any problems. If they do its very inexpensive to repair relative to an automatic.

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Which lasts longer--manual or auto transmission

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