Manual vs automatic

[NWJeepr]

I had the Automatic ZF trans (8HP55) in my old Audi A7. It was at 234,000 miles when we traded it in. ZERO work to the trans in its life. Original fluid. The Wrangler uses the 8HP50 so almost the same trans.

Not saying that is a good thing to not change but Audi's view was fluid for life. Well I guess it was.

Minor correction. The 2.0 and 3.6 gas models do not use the 8HP50. They use a ZF-licensed design similar to the 8HP50 which is built in-house by FCA/Stellantis, and not ZF.

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[RubiSc0tt]

Last year I had a crazy idea I wanted to buy a TJ and test drove one and that clutch/stick felt way more normal than my JL ever has.

TJ Manuals had their issues, but for the most part they were the standard (HAHA). They weren't sports car gearboxes, and they were a little noisy sometimes, but they were so solid. TJ's in general were/ are a great platform.

Oh, I definitely miss driving good manuals. You're significantly more connected with the vehicle and the road.

Bingo. The only experience I have other than my JLUR is my TJ's, a buddy's JKUR I drove a couple times, and a Yard tractor I drove when I worked for a shipping company moving trailers around the yard. Almost all of those are better than the JLUR manual with stock clutch.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

Minor correction. The 2.0 and 3.6 gas models do not use the 8HP50. They use a ZF-licensed design similar to the 8HP50 which is built in-house by FCA/Stellantis, and not ZF.

Good to know. I have always heard the FCA build was still called a ZF.

 

[west tex]

First time posting. I plan on getting a 2026 2door Willy’s next year. I’m having a hard time deciding between manual or automatic transmission. Here’s my deal. The jeep will be my daily driver but I only live like 5 minute drive to work. I live in a northern Michigan city in an area which is very hilly. I also plan to “joy ride” with it on summer days. I don’t plan on doing much off reading if any. I have NEVER driven stick shift before but in theory I know how. I like the idea of stick shift but also worry that with such a short commute to work it will take a long time to get use to and perhaps I wont enjoy it. If I don’t get manual then I will get a 2 door Willy’s with Xtreme 35inch package. Please tell me your thoughts!

You've just laid out the reasons to go with the automatic. It's a good unit. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Heimkehr]

I plan on getting a 2026 2door Willy’s next year. I’m having a hard time deciding between manual or automatic transmission. The jeep will be my daily driver but I only live like 5 minute drive to work. I live in a northern Michigan city in an area which is very hilly. I also plan to “joy ride” with it on summer days.

I have NEVER driven stick shift before but in theory I know how. I like the idea of stick shift but also worry that with such a short commute to work it will take a long time to get use to and perhaps I wont enjoy it. If I don’t get manual then I will get a 2 door Willy’s with Xtreme 35inch package. Please tell me your thoughts!

In addition to transmission choice, consider also which engine you want in your new Jeep.

The 2.0T, for example, using a Gasoline Direct Injection design. Your daily 5 minute commute may not allow the engine to reach and maintain its regular operating temperature, doubly so during Michigan's cold winters. That can lead to or exacerbate the issue of carbon buildup on the valves and perhaps eventual increased wear. To mitigate these effects, it's advisable to take longer drives occasionally, and change the oil more frequently than you might otherwise do.

The sole transmission for the 2.0T is the superlative ZF 8-speed automatic. It has an AutoStick manual shift feature, which mimics a manual transmission less the clutch pedal.

The Pentastar (V6) engine, while hardly perfect, uses a port fuel injection design. It would in isolation be largely immune from the carbon build-up issues associated with GDI engines. If you want a third pedal, the V6 is your only choice.

Recurrent short trips aren't the friend of any engine, though. Do keep that in mind.

And, with respect, thanks for the chuckle regarding your knowing how to drive a manual transmission "in theory."

 

[wreck99]

And you are an experienced manual transmission driver. Let that sink in. Now if you were wheeling very difficult terrain, it could become potentially dangerous if you were to stall also. Now don't get me wrong, I love a manual transmission, in some vehicles. Liter sport bikes, motorcycles just in general, farm tractors, and sporty cars. Unfortunately the sporty cars with manuals are going away though do the the autos being faster and perform better than the manuals. humans just can't shift as fast as an auto can and we can not keep it in the power band like a manual can. Heck it was hard to keep our Camaro SS off the rev limiter using the paddle shifters. LOL.

I say manuals are fun to drive, and in days gone past, were better than the autos. Those days are gone for the Jeep JL. I can tell you that I tune the throttle input down, put the Jeep in manual mode with the auto and give the Jeep some gas and regulate the speed and movement with the brake. I use the brake to control the movement, and wheel speed on difficult obstacles. The Jeep is always easy to control and conquer hard obstacles with out lurching, or having excessive wheel spin.

The 8 speed autos in our Jeeps are a thing of beauty.

I appreciate what you are saying. I am not disputing the auto is the better trans. But its not as fun for me. I do not disagree this trans/clutch can be better. Absolutely. Its still enjoyable and that's why i got it. Everyone has their thresholds for fun and preferences. Im glad that we have options. I hope Jeep continues to offer many options to suit each person. I really wanted a wrangler since i was a kid and ive enjoyed my fair share of manuals over the years. Now that I was finally in a place to grab one, it had to be a manual for me since that's what I prefer.

I've been able to do what ive wanted to do with my JL thus far. I've even done a couple double blacks recently and proud of myself for doing something out of my comfort zone that i didn't think i could do. I have 0 interest in climbing the most difficult trails. My rig isn't built for that anyway. If Jeep were to redesign the next Wrangler with a better clutch, id probably upgrade lol. The clutch is on my list of upgrades but there's others more important to me first since its workable.

 

[nlicalsi91]

I drive on average 135 miles per day for work (medical sales across Long Island). 5 miles is a piece of cake. Get it and don't regret it, they're so much fun

 

[Ratbert]

I drive on average 135 miles per day for work (medical sales across Long Island). 5 miles is a piece of cake. Get it and don't regret it, they're so much fun

The issue is that driving a five mile commute is horrible on a vehicle. It never gets sufficiently warmed up, so you need to stretch its legs periodically.

 

[Mr. Tahiti]

I appreciate what you are saying. I am not disputing the auto is the better trans. But its not as fun for me. I do not disagree this trans/clutch can be better. Absolutely. Its still enjoyable and that's why i got it. Everyone has their thresholds for fun and preferences. Im glad that we have options. I hope Jeep continues to offer many options to suit each person.



100% agree

 

[q2bruiser2]

If it is a daily driver, get the AT. If a weekend toy, MT.

 

[TrailMax]

To each his own...Like I said, I wanted the V6, which only comes with a M/T. Besides, the auto adds $2500 AND a 4-cylinder engine...again, to each his own, but not for me. Yeah, stop & go is a pain, but I do have C8 Corvette, which is (unfortunately) auto only, but is extremely comfortable in traffic. IMO, NO clutch - NO fun!

For a Wrangler, I would like a manual but am fine with an auto. But an automatic on a 'vette? That is sacrilege!

 

[Blacksport]

For a Wrangler, I would like a manual but am fine with an auto. But an automatic on a 'vette? That is sacrilege!

Agree...there is no choice, the C8 is auto only...it's actually a dual-clutch auto which shifts rocket fast. You can "shift it yourself" but, trust me, you will not come close to how well the computer control the shifting...it just KNOWS. NoneTheLess, I miss my 2019 C7 with its 7-speed manual. A little stab on the clutch in a turn, and the fun starts! (Note the burgundy car beside the blue Corvette, that's my '19 Cherokee with the 3.2 Pentastar & 9-speed auto...that thing was fast!)

 

[CapeArt]

I have driven manuals forever, mainly BMW's and Porsche. I like MT's - period. Yes, the JL 6MT is different, but it amazes me to see posts of owners claiming that they have stalled their Jeep so many times due to a "crappy clutch", etc. - and how terrible the whole experience is. Maybe it's a bit of not really knowing how to use a MT more than a shitty clutch? (they are all different ya know)?
I have owned my 6MT JL now for 3 years and with 30k+ miles on her, I haven't stalled the Jeep out - there is no reason to. I jump out of my Porsche (6MT) and into the Jeep, and yes It sure feels different, but is it "bad" - no it is not! You need to drive both (MT/AT) and make up your mind on how each feels to you and what is best for your needs. Don't rely on forum posts to make up your mind for you.
(AND we also have a '24 Grand Cherokee with the 8spd Auto - yes, it's a nice tranny, but I like to shift my JL!) Best of luck with your choice!

 

[Ratbert]

For a Wrangler, I would like a manual but am fine with an auto. But an automatic on a 'vette? That is sacrilege!

That's almost as bad as an automatic in a Miata. NFW.

 

[Ratbert]

I have driven manuals forever, mainly BMW's and Porsche. I like MT's - period. Yes, the JL 6MT is different, but it amazes me to see posts of owners claiming that they have stalled their Jeep so many times due to a "crappy clutch", etc. - and how terrible the whole experience is. Maybe it's a bit of not really knowing how to use a MT more than a shitty clutch? (they are all different ya know)?
I have owned my 6MT JL now for 3 years and with 30k+ miles on her, I haven't stalled the Jeep out - there is no reason to. I jump out of my Porsche (6MT) and into the Jeep, and yes It sure feels different, but is it "bad" - no it is not! You need to drive both (MT/AT) and make up your mind on how each feels to you and what is best for your needs. Don't rely on forum posts to make up your mind for you.
(AND we also have a '24 Grand Cherokee with the 8spd Auto - yes, it's a nice tranny, but I like to shift my JL!) Best of luck with your choice!

Note that the quality of these manuals varies greatly. There have been posts of people jumping between nearly identical manual Wranglers where one is shit and the other is decent.

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