When one thinks of a Jeep Wrangler, the first thing that comes to mind is its manual transmission. The iconic "6-speed manual" has been since World War II and remains the mainstay of the vehicle's transmission even today.
However, for years now, an automatic version of this classic off-road machine has also been available. Many current owners choose to go with its convenience and fuel economy still afforded by modern technology.
So, what are automatic transmissions like in these Jeeps? And which is better: Automatic or Manual? Let's find out.
Wrangler Automatic Transmissions
First, we should talk about how an automatic works, as it can be confusing if you don't know! An automatic uses fluid pressure instead of gear ratios to determine which of the vehicle's wheels receive power at any given time; this allows the engine to turn at optimum RPMs for fuel economy and power. This is especially useful in stop-and-go traffic like that found on a daily commute or during rush hour on the highway.
However, an automatic is not without drawbacks: first, you lose that sense of connection to the road and your engine as you shift gears on a manual. This is especially true on a Wrangler, where off-roading can happen at any time. If you're stuck in sand or snow on anything other than flat-level surfaces, an automatic will struggle as it doesn't have those low gears like a manual transmission would.
Wrangler Manual Transmissions
In contrast, as their name suggests, manual transmissions require you to manually shift gears yourself depending on where you are going and how fast you need to get there according to your speedometer. So, you have gated shifters for those five speeds in a Wrangler manual transmission. In contrast, an automatic has levers with notches in them, so you can select a specific gear range for different driving conditions or situations.
What is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)?
If you've driven a CVT, you can be thankful that the Wrangler doesn't have one. But let's look at it anyway.
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automatic gearbox with no conventional gears or specific gear ratios. Instead of relying on a chain, the CVT uses variable-diameter pulleys to infinitely vary the gearing ratio between the engine and the wheels.
This provides an infinite number of possible gear ratios between maximum and minimum values, allowing smooth changes in vehicle speed with no sudden jumps between gears.
With CVTs, the engine speed can vary continuously within a range of revolution speeds (RPMs), which allows the power to be tailored to the road speed for optimal performance and fuel economy. In addition, a CVT is more efficient than conventional automatic transmissions because it has no separate gears.
Which Transmission is Safer?
With fuel injection systems and high-tech engineering - which only continues to improve monthly - the difference between the two transmissions has drastically become smaller and smaller over time.
With that in mind, we must now ponder the ultimate question: is it better to have an automatic or a manual? Is one safer than the other?
Safety is a relative term. But if pushed to consider the driver's abilities, the short answer is yes, one is safer than the other.
As we know, driving is inherently dangerous - we take risks every time we get into a Jeep Wrangler. So, for safety's sake, if you're sensible, easily distracted, and like to live life as cautiously as possible, then perhaps automatic transmissions are for you. Automatic transmissions don't require a clutch and shifter's hand and eye coordination. And if you don't plan on taking your Wrangler off-road at all, then an automatic is the way to go as it's safer under those conditions.
However, if you are a thrill-seeker who likes to take control of your driving experience, then perhaps having a manual will be your ticket to fun. Off-roading is one of the most adrenaline-pumping experiences ever, and a manual transmission can handle the work. And one more thing, since most people can't drive a manual or don't even know what one is, getting one is a sure-fire anti-theft device.
