2018 Sport JL Transmission: Auto vs Manual?

[Pig-Pen]

i dont like manual transmissions in large vehicles and/or trucks. nowadays, ill keep them to my sports cars that get driven only occasionally. nothing sucks more than sitting in heavy traffic with a manual. been there done thatt. i was looking at used TJs and could have gone either way but with the big 4 door JL, manual wasnt even a consideration. plus, the mrs. said has to be auto and i had to get her seal of approval to buy it so....


the auto in the JL is amazing. we just sold an Explorer Sport with 6sp auto and this JL trans is much nicer. im impressed. i have a gt500 (manuals only) and there have been many times i wished it had a nice auto. that's what makes Hellcats so appealing. my good friend just sold his 6M C6 and got a new Z06. i talked him into the auto since he sits in traffic a lot. he was really reluctant too but now he says he is sooo happy he did. he said the new auto in the Zs is amazing.

but i totally get people who prefer manuals only. especially if you really like off roading and prefer man-handling the stick. im not looking for a challenge, in my jeep. just put it in D and cruise, even off road.

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[NavyVet1959]

One of the things that I noticed on my last month-long trips to Europe is that the car rental agencies (even Hertz) have plenty of manual transmission vehicles for rent and even manual transmission diesel ones. On one trip, when I picked up the car in Barcelona, they "upgraded" me from a subcompact to a SUV and I seem to remember it being a Kia with a manual transmission and a diesel engine. I had originally wanted the subcompact because I suspected that parking might be problematic in some of the places in Paris, but I figured I would give it a try. The SUV was smaller than many of the large SUVs in the US, but I would say it probably was close to a XJ in length. And, yeah, it did limit my parking a bit in Paris.

 

[Rickg667]

Hey everyone new to this forum and to Jeeps. Loved them for a long time and can finally afford a 2018 Wrangler Sport JL, but unfortunately can't afford many, if any upgrades for a while. I'm looking to buy this week and there are two available in my price range. Both have the same features (besides rims) but one is an auto and one is a manual. I miss driving a stick and it would be fun for me, but the wife doesn't know how so she'd prefer an auto. My main question is quality. Are the new 8 speed manual transmissions as good, better, or worse than a manual? Next I'm curious what's better (auto vs Manual) for off road? I appreciate any advice! Thanks and glad to finally be joining! Two more questions: since it's a stock 2018 Wrangler Sport JL should I go with the one that has black steel rims or the grayish aluminum rims (they're the same price)? Curious what holds up better? Finally any recommendations on where I can get the most aggressive (and largest) all-terrain tires that fit the stock rims without a lift (and without rubbing when turning)? Thanks!

My 2 cents here... in my JK the manual provided me nothing but issues... the throwout bearing would self destruct at 15-20k miles... it would start making noise when installed new... I replaced the darn clutch like 6-7 times while I had it. I know everyone will say, “ you don’t know how to drive stick...” my JL is the first auto I have owned and I have NEVER had to replace a clutch... drove some vehicles 300k no problems. During my last trip to get the clutch replaced I was informed that the clutch fork was not aligned correctly and that was the issue... I also did a bunch of research on the new autos and manuals, from what I found the auto is more durable, that is why I chose it. So far it seems to work well, I have the rubicon unlimited with a 2inch Mopar lift and 37s. It is getting around 17mpg. I have no issues daily driving it! As for tires on a sport... I would suggest the 32 x 11.5 size, they don’t rub on my friends... he bought 33 x 12.5 and it rubbed when he cut the wheel hard. I’m sure if you bought some spacers you would have no issues with the 33s. If you are buying rims 33s would work too... there are also a couple other options out there that would probably work, but I think that is probably the widest you are going to get in there. My friend had minor rubbing when wheeling with the 33s, hasn’t complained about the 32s, but it’s not a vehicle I drive so... the stock rims do not have enough off set for the 12.5s from what I understand.

 

[MSteeves]

Are the new 8 speed manual transmissions as good, better, or worse than a manual?

Couldn't say about the manual in the JL Sport. But ... we have a brand new JLU Sport with the auto, less than a thousand miles, which we took on a road trip down to Capulin/Johnson Mesa in northern New Mexico. The wife and I are both mightily impressed with the 8-speed auto. Very smooth shifting going uphill and down. I used the manual shifting on most of the downhills - engine braking - and that worked extremely well for us. We came back by way of Raton Pass, and hardly noticed the shifting going up. Going down, cruise control managed the downshifting and kept us at the set speed; didn't have to use manual. Of course, Raton is not a particularly difficult pass, but still, it was a pretty good uphill/downhill. We did not do any real off-roading on this trip so I cannot speak to how the auto works in that respect.

 

[jacquesschryburt]

Auto for me. I love stick but this one is my daily driver and I spend 1.5 hrs a day in traffic.
Auto for sure. Also works really good on the trails.

 

[darkcheff]

I traded my JKU manual everything for a JLUR and drove both extensively. The new manual is very nice but nowhere near as nice as the Auto. I am a hard believer in manual transmissions, however, the new autos are getting very very good. With the option to use manual shift when needed, I won't be missing my manual jeep.

 

[JeepDrvr2018]

Ok, personally it used to be, auto's cost about 25% of the engine power because of the many clutches and associated things inside them. Today's auto's are more efficient, but there are still some clutches, etc. inside which contact each other via fluid, so some loss of efficiency. I have never owned jeeps without a manual transmission, in fact, for the last 35 years all my vehicles have had manual transmissions. Jeep JL is one of the few vehicles which still offer a manual, so that is how I get mine. WHY? Basically instead of multiple clutches, you have one, and it's a dry clutch, not a wet one, so it's in my non engineering understanding, not going to lose as much as a wet clutch (auto). You have better RPM control of the vehicle with a manual, especially if you are going to live and play in areas where the 4WD is going to be a large part of your driving. Teach your wife how to drive a manual, you never know when the only vehicle around is one, and you have emergency. Many salespersons cannot drive a manual, so they always steer you toward the auto. FWIW-Looked at JL on a lot not long ago while waiting for my service to be done and not one of the JL's on the lot was manual, everyone was auto. When I drove two of them at a different time, believe those also were autos. Just not as much control over your driving environment with an auto. If you are going to rock climb, etc., then only get manual, way more torque and RPM control. Just my humble opinion.

 

[drewloving]

Love my manual JL Sport - I drove a 17 JK and thought I was back in my grandpa's pickup truck. The JL manual is smooth, clutch is easy, and make the daily drive a little more zippy. Wife can't drive manual, but my 15 year old with his learners permit learned on my 2011 Mini S, and immediately mastered the Jeep.

 

[Majestic]

View attachment 57443

Hey everyone! Thank you all so much for the good in depth thought provoking reasoning on both the auto and manual transmissions! I do like both and when I went to the dealer to purchase one today, the automatic was sold so guess what? I had 2 choices left...keep looking and wait, or...buy the manual. So I went with the manual! .

I do like it a lot! However, driving it home (3 hours) from the dealer I must say I noticed a few times a slight grinding noise when shifting into 3rd! It was louder if I went faster in 2nd bringing the rpms higher before my shift to 3rd, then during the shift or maybe when letting off the clutch and gassing it in 3rd, the grinding noise was louder. Now it's been a while since I've driven stick and maybe it's my fault by not having the clutch fully out while gassing in 3rd, but...it hasn't done that noise in any other gear, just 3rd.

It's got me a little worried since I've read some reported issues with similar problems but primarily on the JK's... but also some with the JL's. Mine is a 2018 Sport JL, but is my first ever Wrangler, so not sure if it's an issue or possibly driver error.

My dealer I bought it at is 3 hours away from where I live, but there is a couple Jeep dealers within 30 mins... so any thoughts on if I should take it in to be checked? If so, can I take it to any Jeep dealer? Or should I just wait and see a few more days and practice driving it better? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

You have chosen....poorly.
Lol

 

[ThirtyOne]

View attachment 57443

You have chosen....poorly.
Lol

You are wrong.

 

[Majestic]

Ok, personally it used to be, auto's cost about 25% of the engine power because of the many clutches and associated things inside them. Today's auto's are more efficient, but there are still some clutches, etc. inside which contact each other via fluid, so some loss of efficiency. I have never owned jeeps without a manual transmission, in fact, for the last 35 years all my vehicles have had manual transmissions. Jeep JL is one of the few vehicles which still offer a manual, so that is how I get mine. WHY? Basically instead of multiple clutches, you have one, and it's a dry clutch, not a wet one, so it's in my non engineering understanding, not going to lose as much as a wet clutch (auto). You have better RPM control of the vehicle with a manual, especially if you are going to live and play in areas where the 4WD is going to be a large part of your driving. Teach your wife how to drive a manual, you never know when the only vehicle around is one, and you have emergency. Many salespersons cannot drive a manual, so they always steer you toward the auto. FWIW-Looked at JL on a lot not long ago while waiting for my service to be done and not one of the JL's on the lot was manual, everyone was auto. When I drove two of them at a different time, believe those also were autos. Just not as much control over your driving environment with an auto. If you are going to rock climb, etc., then only get manual, way more torque and RPM control. Just my humble opinion.

There’s no need to try and figure out the individual drive train loss inside each transmission, just look at the overall efficiency. See the forest through the trees.

Remember that dry clutch is a frictional surface that is considered a wear item like a brake pad. So you either pay the $2k for the auto now, or eventually pay $2k to replace the clutch later. It’s not designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Don’t get caught up in past conceptions. Modern autos allow you to select shift the gear you want, get better mpgs, and out accelerate their manual counter parts. These days it’s more of a “gas vs charcoal” argument than a true technical advantage like it was years ago.

 

[Majestic]

You are wrong.

The auto wouldn’t have had that problem....just saying.

 

[ThirtyOne]

The auto wouldn’t have had that problem....just saying.

Have you gotten your cruise control recall taken care of yet?

 

[homerun]

View attachment 57443

You have chosen....poorly.
Lol

Good Last Crusade reference, almost makes me overlook how incorrect you were in this situation.

 

[mike_b_81]

Hey everyone new to this forum and to Jeeps. Loved them for a long time and can finally afford a 2018 Wrangler Sport JL, but unfortunately can't afford many, if any upgrades for a while. I'm looking to buy this week and there are two available in my price range. Both have the same features (besides rims) but one is an auto and one is a manual. I miss driving a stick and it would be fun for me, but the wife doesn't know how so she'd prefer an auto. My main question is quality. Are the new 8 speed manual transmissions as good, better, or worse than a manual? Next I'm curious what's better (auto vs Manual) for off road? I appreciate any advice! Thanks and glad to finally be joining! Two more questions: since it's a stock 2018 Wrangler Sport JL should I go with the one that has black steel rims or the grayish aluminum rims (they're the same price)? Curious what holds up better? Finally any recommendations on where I can get the most aggressive (and largest) all-terrain tires that fit the stock rims without a lift (and without rubbing when turning)? Thanks!

Like others have said, unless you only have 1 vehicle in your household, get what you want. My wife can't drive a manual, but that didn't stop me from getting what I wanted in a Jeep, the 6 speed manual. My intentions are to teach her (of course I tried that 16 years ago and didn't work out so well.) That's just my food for thought. Whatever way you go, I am sure you'll be happy with it.

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