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Dede,

The newer automatic tranmissions are very good. They are controlled by 
the same computer that controlls the engine and they act as an 
integrated drive train. The tranmissions are told when to shift based on 
the input from many sensors. Some automatics - the Ford and Chevy do I 
don't know about the Dodge - even have a setting for towing that will 
allow for the downshifting (and it really works) and using compression 
braking. It closes off the turbo blades so that compression braking 
actually works in a diesel. There might be some small differenence in 
mileage but not that much. The older automatic transmissions were only 4 
speed. The newer ones are 5 speed. That extra gear has really helped. If 
you don't know how to use a manual transmission correctly there probably 
will no difference.

If you are used to a manual - some perfer it - and have a lot of driving 
in snow and icey conditions then a manual will have an advantage. If you 
drive mostly on the highway or where there is a lot of stop and go - the 
automatic will work just fine and give you the same performance.

Truman

Dede Johnson wrote:

> I am wondering if there is a significant difference in power and gas 
> mileage between diesel automatics and diesel manual transmissions.  We 
> currently have 2 Dodge diesel manual transmissions 3/4 tons trucks, 
> one 4 wheel drive and the other 2 wheel drive.  We keep track of the 
> mileage faithfully, so I know how our trucks do.  I was told the 
> automatics lose have up to 20% less in power, and the gas mileage is 
> less.  Does anybody have any experience they can share with this?  I'd 
> love to have an automatic some day, but my other half is not going for 
> it.  Just curious what others have experienced.
>
> Dede


--

"A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems."

- Paul Erdos (1913-1996)




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