Automatic cars increasingly dominate the market. They are more comfortable for daily traffic and simplify driving, especially in big cities. However, that doesn't mean that manual transmissions have lost all of their advantages.

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Beyond the pleasure of changing gears or the greater control that many drivers feel behind the wheel, some specialists maintain that driving a manual vehicle can also represent an additional stimulus for the brain.

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Greater driver involvement

When driving a car with a manual transmission, the driver must constantly coordinate his hands and feet. Changing gears at the right time, controlling the clutch and adapting the speed requires maintaining attention on different tasks at the same time.

Various research on cognitive functions suggests that these types of activities promote motor coordination, concentration and the ability to make decisions in fractions of a second.

Although driving a manual does not replace any mental training, it does force the brain to remain more active during the trip.

More attention, less automation

With an automatic transmission, many actions become dependent on the vehicle's electronics. In a manual car the opposite happens. The driver is permanently involved in driving and needs to anticipate what is happening on the road to select the appropriate gear.

That constant interaction causes many motorists to remain more focused, especially on roads with curves, slopes or frequent speed changes.

Experts also agree that safety depends much more on driver behavior than on the type of transmission. An automatic car can be just as safe if the driver stays focused and avoids distractions.

In the end, the choice between a manual and an automatic transmission will depend on the use that each person gives to their vehicle. What does seem clear is that manuals continue to offer something more than a traditional driving experience. They also keep the driver much more involved in each kilometer of the journey.