Birmingham driving school teach about road safety, driving laws and the Highway Code. Give instruction on the use of vehicle controls, like how to steer, turn, reverse and park safely. Demonstrate how to deal with emergency situations & discuss basic vehicle checks.

1. Automatic cars vs. Manual cars: Which is better?
Automatic cars and manual cars have always remained in eternal rivalry due to the purists who defend one or the other driving
mode. But this is due, in large part, to the country in which you learned to drive. The automatic car is a more than established
tradition in places like the United States while in Spain they are hardly known, and manual cars are the ones that predominate
in the European market.
Automatic cars
The main characteristic and differentiation of an automatic car lies in its gearbox. This is automatic, and that means that the
driver is freed from having to change gear manually as the speed of the vehicle increases

2. How automatic transmission works
The key to the operation of an automatic gearbox lies in two aspects. On the one hand, the hydraulic part, which is the
predominant mode in this type of change: through a torque converter and a set of gears, it provides the multiplication that
makes the torque move.
The gear lever of an automatic car
Contrary to what happens with the gear levers of manual cars, which are numbered from 1 to 5 (or 6 in the most current
models) and also have reverse gear, automatic cars have a different system. Automatic transmissions that are mechanically
selected are identified by letters, not numbers. These are P for parking, R for reverse, N for neutral and D, which include all the
gears that can be multiplied, which would be equivalent to 1 to 6 in a manual car.
Consumption in automatic cars
It is usually a common question for someone who is thinking of buying an automatic car: does this model consume more or less
than a manual car? Well, an automatic car consumes approximately 5% more than a manual car. This percentage has been
reduced over the years, since some time ago it was estimated that the difference was around 10%.
Benefits of driving an automatic car
It is important that when choosing an automatic model you take into account your particular driving style. It is obvious, after the
above, that a car with an automatic gearbox is much easier to drive, which implies greater comfort for the driver.
In addition, these are safer vehicles, both in terms of road safety itself and in mechanical terms.
The driving experience of an automatic car
Driving becomes more comfortable and lighter, without the stress of changing gears every few minutes in a traffic jam, for
example. It is a totally light driving experience, in which the enjoyment of the vehicle prevails. It's perfect for those who are
concerned about the number of things to pay attention to while driving, which are greatly reduced. here: you can pay more
attention to your surroundings. Driving is no longer synonymous with stress and worry.
Manual cars

3. Within our borders, cars with manual transmission are the most frequent. In any driving school you will learn to drive one of
these, which are characterized by having a manual gear lever that you, as the driver, will have to change depending on the speed
that the vehicle acquires. For this, it is essential to locate the clutch, which must necessarily be used every time you want to
change one of the gears; once the new gear is engaged, the clutch is released. Footwork is essential in this type of car, preferred
by lovers of traditional driving; in which car and driver achieve a greater connection.
Manual gear stick
Located on the vehicle floor, between the driver and passenger seats, is the manual gear lever. There may be other locations for
this lever, such as on the side of the steering wheel on some older models and automatic cars, with different operation.
As we indicated a few lines above, the manual gear lever is associated with the clutch, which must be stepped on with the left
foot so that the engine and wheels are released from the transmission and gear can be changed.
The gears are indicated by numbers, which usually go from 1 to 5 or 6, in the most modern models. The first will be the slowest
gear, with which it should be started, and also the most powerful. This will increase depending on the speed until reaching the
highest gear, to drive at the maximum speed allowed.
Consumption in a manual car
Consumption is usually lower in a manual car than in an automatic one, as we indicated. The difference can be around 5%. But
this can vary depending on whether the car is gasoline or diesel, as well as the years of circulation it has: as a general rule, the
greater the number of years, the greater the consumption.

4. Benefits of a manual car
One of the main advantages of having a car with these characteristics is, without a doubt, the price. They are cheaper than
automatic models, so if your main requirement when buying a new vehicle is budget, you will surely opt for a manual
transmission car. The difference can be around 2,500 euros, although it will depend on the vehicle model.
The driving experience in a manual car
Traditional driving lovers will say that there is nothing compared to driving a car of a lifetime. In fact, there are many who have
a special passion for driving old models, since their mechanics work and feel differently. That is why the driving experience in a
car of this type can be very satisfying for those who prefer to feel the power of the car through the manual gearbox. It is true
that the control is greater than in an automatic car; with these cars, machine and human have a much more direct connection.
Do I choose an automatic or manual model?
The automatic car offers a simpler use, without tension, in which safety prevails. These are machines with a higher price, which
must pass more exhaustive revisions and whose repairs are more expensive, although much fewer in number.