Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

In response to Mr. Jones’ piece in last week’s CT, I feel compelled to respond. I’m not a bright person, but I am a hell of a mechanic, so this is in my wheelhouse.

First, manual transmissions are not magically more efficient. They’re generally a few percentage points more efficient than automatic transmissions, if you are talking about fuel economy. Depending on how conservatively you drive, you can save 2-3 miles per gallon.

Second, the fact that you can’t find high-mpg automatics is not because they’re significantly less efficient, it’s because almost nobody makes large consumer vehicles with stick shifts. The vehicles with larger, less efficient engines generally don’t offer a manual transmission option. You can no longer buy a full-sized pickup truck or van with a manual transmission. Less than 2 percent of new car sales include a manual transmission, and most new cars do not have it available as an option.

Third, the cars that DO offer manual transmissions are little roller skate cars, not God-fearing American Monster Trucks. A Nissan Versa is not my idea of comfort and safety.

In summation, you’ve needlessly oversimplified a complex relationship. If you want good fuel-efficiency numbers, buy a little roller skate car with a manual transmission and a 1.6 liter engine.

I, however, will be pouring gasoline into my automatic 1994 GMC Jimmy, while it grunts and snorts and shoots flames out the back.
That’s how I roll.

Joe Anderson