Manual vs Automatic Transmission in Jeep Wrangler Which is Better?
When buying any car, most drivers prioritize the type of transmission they want in a specific car if it is available with an automatic or manual transmission. The same applies to jeep wranglers as Jeep makes the wrangler with both transmissions straight from the production line.
Automatic transmission on Jeep Wrangler is suitable for people who use their wrangler only on-road as it is simple and easy to drive. Whereas Manual transmission on Jeep Wrangler is best suitable for people who use it for off-road and on-road as it gives more control.
Suppose you have been driving for a while. In that case, you might have seen that automatic transmissions are better than manual transmissions or manual transmissions are better than automatic transmissions. This might be true, but this depends on the type of cars you have been driving.
You cannot compare manual vs automatic transmission in jeep wrangler with a fast saloon car. When driving, a certain feeling changes and the transmission response is different. But you will still be inclined to choose a manual transmission wrangler over an automatic one.
Maybe a jeep wrangler is your first car with an option for a manual transmission. You had never driven a car with a manual transmission except when you were in a driving class. It’s a different experience switching from an automatic car to a manual one.
Regardless of your driving experience, you’ll need to know all about the differences and similarities between a manual transmission wrangler and an automatic transmission wrangler. You’ll also need to know the pros and cons of each one so that you can make a better decision when you finally decide on which one to get.
There are several comparison factors you should consider between the two. Comparing a jeep wrangler’s manual transmission with another car’s manual transmission cannot suffice in this case unless both are of the same category.
This means that you should compare a manual transmission jeep wrangler with another SUV instead of comparing it with a manual sedan or a sports car.
Difference between Automatic and Manual Transmission for Jeep Wrangler
Automatic Transmission
In automatic wranglers, there is no driver input required when shifting gears unless there is a Tiptronic automatic transmission. Some jeep wrangler models such as the wrangler sport unlimited have a sport mode which increases the throttle response and allows the driver to use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
You shift gears manually using the paddle shifters. Still, you press no clutch pedal when shifting gears, unlike in manual transmission wranglers.
The ease in shifting makes automatic jeep wranglers a favorite among people who daily their wranglers. Driving on town roads and traffic is much easier if your wrangler has an automatic transmission.
Jeep wranglers are built with a lean towards off-roading, and it is common to find more automatic jeep wranglers than manual ones off-roading. Automatic jeep wranglers are good for off-roading as gear shifting is instant, unlike manual wranglers that need driver input to shift gears.
When driving an automatic wrangler off-road, you can concentrate on driving without worrying about gear changes, unlike in a manual wrangler.
But most off-road experts will say that automatic transmission wranglers are for newbies, and there is no fun off-roading in an automatic wrangler.
Automatic jeep wranglers are also way significantly less than manual wranglers. If you have one, you’ll notice that you easily navigate off-road trails better than manual jeep wranglers.
Manual Transmission
Manual transmission wranglers have been around since the first jeep wrangler was produced. The first automatic jeep wrangler was made in 1994. Even when the automatic wrangler was first released, manual transmission wranglers were still preferred.
Suppose you are buying a manual transmission jeep wrangler. In that case, you have to always pay attention to shifting gears as driver input is required. You need to release the gas pedal, press the clutch pedal and then move the gear lever to the gear you want to shift to.
In traffic and city driving, this becomes tiring as you constantly have to shift gears, and if you are a newbie, you find yourself stalling the car. You’ll mostly shift through the first and second gears in traffic, which becomes more tiring if you stay in traffic for the better part of your commute.
Starting and driving a manual wrangler can also be tricky if you are not used to it. You’ll find yourself stalling it as you have to balance the clutch and gas pedals until it’s time to shift to the next ear. It is harder than starting and driving an automatic wrangler as all you have is to start the engine and drive away.
Driving off-road with a manual transmission jeep wrangler has its advantages. You can control the speed at which you are driving as the speed increases and decreases depending on your gear. If you are in the first two gears, you’ll be driving at lower speeds than when in higher gears.
This enables you to slowly drive over obstacles and take corners easily, unlike in automatic wranglers, which change gears when you reach the redline in the RPM gauge.
When driving at highway speeds, you have to balance your concentration on the road and shifting gears. Newbies and drivers who have no or minimal experience find it hard to do.
Manual transmissions can handle stress and continuous shifting, so the probability of overheating is lower. Automatic transmissions overheat when stressed.
If you drive with an overheated transmission, you are putting it at risk of permanent damage. This is one of the reasons that there are people who prefer manual transmission wranglers.
Care and maintenance for Automatic and Manual Transmission for Jeep Wrangler
Automatic Transmission
Most manufacturers, including Jeep, guarantee a lifetime use of the transmission fluid that comes in automatic transmission wranglers. This means that you rarely have to worry about the transmission fluid decreasing or when you need to change it.
But it is recommended to change the automatic transmission fluid in jeep wranglers at around 50,000 miles. You should always check for leaks underneath your wrangler.
The transmission itself has fewer components than a manual transmission; thus, it is easier and cheaper to service. However, there are many other moving parts apart from the transmission in automatic transmission wranglers. If they are faulty, it will cost more than a manual transmission to repair or replace.
Manual Transmission
Manual transmissions have more internals than automatic transmissions; thus, you have to change the oil according to your drive. If you drive your wrangler, often you’ll need to change the transmission oil every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
You might hear clunking sounds o vibrations from the transmissions, which shows that the internals is grinding against each other. You need to change or fill up the oil depending on the age of the oil.
Driving a manual transmission wrangler needs a gentle and skilled touch because of two main things, the clutch and the gearbox.
Shifting too hard puts too much stress on the gearbox internals and the shifter. Such components are built to last but continuous misuse will damage; thus, you’ll need to replace them.
You also have to be gentle on the clutch, or you’ll end up with a burnt clutch. For jeep wranglers, you should have the clutch replaced every 80,000 to 100,000 miles.
If you burn the clutch, be prepared for the costs you will incur by buying a new clutch and the cost of labor replacing the clutch.
Fuel consumption for Automatic and Manual Transmission for Jeep Wrangler
Automatic Transmission
This entirely depends on the year of manufacture of your wrangler. Older automatic wranglers have a high fuel consumption compared to newer automatic jeep wranglers.
This is because most modern automatic transmissions have more gears than older automatic transmissions. Most components in newer transmissions are also powered by electricity, thus reducing the tendency to consume more fuel during gear shifts.
Manual Transmission
Manual jeep wranglers are known to be fuel efficient from way back. Fuel consumption of manual jeep wranglers has been similar through the production years.
Still, as automatic transmissions got modernized and were equipped with more gears, they gained a better fuel consumption than manual jeep wranglers.
Durability and reliability for Automatic and manual transmission for Jeep Wrangler
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission in jeep wranglers tends to last for a shorter period than manual ones. Suppose you constantly use your jeep wrangler, either on-road or off-road. In that case, you’ll find your transmission overheating, thus degrading the transmission’s components.
If the transmission fluid you use has a transmission coolant, the transmission will last for a while, but you still have to check for overheating signs. If you carefully maintain your transmission and avoid overheating, your transmission will last for about 125,000 miles to 200,000 miles.
Manual Transmission
Suppose a manual transmission wrangler is well maintained and driven well. In that case, it will last longer than an automatic transmission jeep wrangler. Most wranglers made in the 1900s and early 2000s for sale or on the road have a manual transmission.
You’ll also find that it is the original transmission that that wrangler was made with, along with a good maintenance record. But it depends on a driver’s driving habits. Careless shifting will degrade the transmission components, thus replacing the internals or the whole transmission.
Pricing for Automatic and Manual transmission for Jeep Wrangler
Automatic Transmission
Automatic wranglers are more expensive to buy and insure than manual wranglers. More supporting electrical components are involved in the production of automatic wranglers, thus raising the cost of production, which will affect the final pricing of the wrangler.
Such components include a torque converter and a valve body absent in a manual transmission. There is also a higher demand for automatic wranglers than higher wranglers, so the price will be higher than manual jeep wranglers. An automatic jeep wrangler will cost roughly $1000 to $2000 more than a manual jeep wrangler.
Manual Transmission
A manual transmission might have more transmission components than an automatic transmission. Still, these components are easier and cheaper to produce. This will lower the overall cost of the wrangler.
There is also lower demand for manual jeep wranglers, so the price will also be lower than the price of an automatic wrangler. The insurance costs will be a bit lower, especially with insurance firms that consider a vehicle’s transmission.
Swapping jeep wrangler transmissions
This is a common thing among jeep wrangler owners. You might want to swap your failing automatic or manual transmission, or you feel that it is not the transmission for you. Or maybe you have a Jeep wrangler as a project, but you want to swap the transmission on it.
Swapping to a manual transmission is easier, but swapping to an automatic transmission is the hard part since you have to source all electricals and components in an automatic transmission system.
It also requires more work swapping to an automatic transmission. When you calculate the cost of buying and installing the transmission, you feel like not doing it. The cost goes even higher if the transmission you want to buy doesn’t have all the components required.
Swapping transmissions can be a laborious process, but ensure everything you need from the transmission mount to the Engine Computer Module. Having a checklist of what you need always makes the process easier.
Conclusion
If you have been driving manual cars for a while, you’ll definitely want a manual jeep wrangler, and nothing might change your decision. But you can at least try and test drive an automatic jeep wrangler and see how it feels.
For newbie drivers, driving a manual wrangler takes a lot of practice. It will be a while before you get used to it. Still, you’ll find that it is more therapeutic than driving an automatic jeep wrangler when you do. The driver input makes driving even more fun.
