Is manual transmission better in the snow?

Question

I've heard that it's supposed to handle better, but I don't understand why or how.

Answer 1

yea but thats only if you know how to use it

Answer 2

YES

it does cause of being able to gear down and not brake

and the RPM's are lower and not pulling on the drive train

thus almost eliminating spin

less acceleration and less braking means less spinning and sliding

Answer 3

i preffer it because I am in controll of exactly when where and how the power is transfered to the road, where an automatic does alot of the "thinking" for you, which in adverse conditions is not allways best.

Answer 4

I think it is better because you have more control.

Answer 5

Mr. discuss? has it absolutely correct:

Depends on the experience of the driver.

People unfamiliar with manual transmissions can barely negotiate dry pavement. Put them on a hill in slick conditions and forget it.

I also agree with other answerers about having more direct control of the car with manual transmission, however, if one judiciously used the gears in an auto tranny then you gain much more control. 99% of drivers don't even know how many forward gears are available on their own cars!

Answer 6

Yes! For a few reasons:

1) You can downshift instead of braking (which leads to most skids)

2) You have more control of the RPMs when moving from a stop. If the RPMs are too high, your tires will spin faster so you can't get traction. If you start in a higher gear, your tires don't spin as fast, so you can get better traction.

3) If you get stuck in a pile of snow, you can more easily "rock" the car to get it unstuck.

4) It's easier to put the car in neutral if you are skidding.