Automatic or manual transmission - Toyota Yaris Forums

bentjazz · 01-13-2011, 03:03 PM

Hi everyone,
I just bought a 2010 Yaris, and decided to go with the automatic transmission, but now think I might regret that decision. The salesperson said fuel efficiency between the manual and automatic was nill, and for that reason, I opted not to go with the manual. But I keep reading that the manual offers better real world fuel efficiency.
The only reason I've driven manuals in the past was because of their better gas mileage, but the salesperson said that trend was a thing of the past and he recommended the automatic.
This is my first post on the forum, and am curious what Yaris drivers have learned about this topic while driving their Yaris. Do manuals offer better gas mileage?
Any tips on how I can maximize my fuel economy?
Thank you.

WeeYari · 01-13-2011, 03:10 PM

The manual transmission has a slight edge over the automatic in terms of fuel efficiency. Not by any earth shattering amount though. A lot will depend on how you drive it. The M/T lends itself to achieve better results with hyper-mile techniques than the A/T will.

Shinare · 01-13-2011, 03:37 PM

Except I tend to drive my yaris like a hot little go-kart because of the M/T so my milage suffers a little. :)

CTScott · 01-13-2011, 04:33 PM

I drive an AT and have seen average efficiency per tank range from 32 to 41 MPG. I definitely have control over which way it goes, based on my driving style during the tank. The tanks where I've achieved over 40 haven't involved any serious hypermiling techniques, but rather just not constantly stomping on it.

Yaristeve · 01-13-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentjazz

...but the salesperson said that trend was a thing of the past and he recommended the automatic....

Same story the salesman told me; of course, the fact that they had no manuals on the lot did not factor into his recommendation.

I told him that I had just wasted three years of driving fun with an automatic tranny car and that I wanted a manual because... I wanted a manual. And that it had nothing to do with mileage.

brg88tx · 01-13-2011, 05:01 PM

i think the salesman was partially right, the mpg difference in newer cars is less than it used to be. in the yaris, i'd say 1-2 mpg.

i average about 38 summer, 36 winter mpg with my auto.

RETRO · 01-13-2011, 09:00 PM

I have a 08 3 dr auto. I am getting 37.5 mpg during the winter and 39.5-40.5 mpg during the summer..I think your auto will be fine..As CTScott said that will depend on your driving habits..

TLyttle · 01-13-2011, 10:13 PM

I have a standard, my buddy has an automatic. We both drive about the same (fairly aggressive), but his is a 4-door hatch, I have a sedan. I get better MPG consistently. Which is eating the fuel? The transmission or the body shape?

DebbyM46227 · 01-14-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLyttle

I have a standard, my buddy has an automatic. We both drive about the same (fairly aggressive), but his is a 4-door hatch, I have a sedan. I get better MPG consistently. Which is eating the fuel? The transmission or the body shape?

The sedan is more aerodynamic.

R2D2 · 01-14-2011, 08:29 AM

The difference between the auto and manual depends largely on how you drive them. Driven "normally" the difference is very small but in the hands of a hypermiler the differences are much greater.

You can still achieve great mileage with the auto. I have a current lifetime FE of 41.9 mpg with a best tank of 48.0 mpg in my 5dr auto. Winter kills the FE. I'm doing more very short trips in the cold this winter and am only getting 37-38 mpg. Still pretty good but nothing like can be done in milder climates.

MadMax · 01-14-2011, 10:34 AM

I laugh when people claim that autos can't be fun to drive, my Yaris is a blast on backroads and I don't miss my manual one bit! If you ever have to drive in the city, or in stop-and-go traffic, you'll be happy not to have to clutch!

Plus, you can manually shift an auto transmission, or you can let it shift on its own; but you'll never get a manual transmission to shift automatically!

And "Winter gas" does take its toll, but I am still getting about 33 MPG with my auto and larger wheels.

Cheers! M2

daf62757 · 01-14-2011, 12:58 PM

Think of the money you will be saving in not paying for a new clutch! The AT will, realistically, last forever.

MT is fun....for a while, but AT is far more dependable and adds to the resell value.

bankrobber · 01-23-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daf62757

Think of the money you will be saving in not paying for a new clutch! The AT will, realistically, last forever.

MT is fun....for a while, but AT is far more dependable and adds to the resell value.

Never had a clutch slip. Throw out bearing broke a few times in my Dodge with 260,000 miles. I believe standard is much cheaper to maintain. Oil changes on manual cost me 10 bucks plus no filter to buy. Auto has so many parts that can fail compared to a standard. I dont do a lot of city driving so the clutch thing dosen't bother me

nemelek · 01-14-2011, 02:01 PM

At one time in my life I thought that I would ever own an auto. Now I don't think I'll ever buy a stick again. Getting old.

bentjazz · 01-14-2011, 02:58 PM

Hi everyone,
I got 30mpg on my first tank full, but my tires weren't at their current psi (which is 39). I filled the dealer's tank half way, so I didn't get a very reliable measure there, but I'm hoping to get above 30mpg. I got that from my 1999 1.8L 4cyl. Corolla I sold to buy this. I read some people getting 37-38 in the winter, and figure I must be doing something wrong. Should I be doing anything (excluding high psi tire pressure) to maximize fuel efficiency? I am going to start driving 60mph and below and, as someone on this forum wrote, will act like there is an egg between my foot and the accelerator.
Thanks.

alch3miss · 01-15-2011, 10:23 PM

I own both and the MT gets my nod!

aca72 · 01-17-2011, 01:07 AM

MT= fun
AT= boring

Yaris MT or AT= winner!

Chuck G · 01-17-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aca72

MT= fun
AT= boring

Yaris MT or AT= winner!

The AT in the Yaris will surprise you.
(this ain't your fathers automatic)
Never thought I would be impressed by an AT after owning
MT's all my life.

01-13-2011, 03:03 PM	#1
bentjazz Drives: 2009 Yaris--3dr MT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 542	Automatic or manual transmission Hi everyone, I just bought a 2010 Yaris, and decided to go with the automatic transmission, but now think I might regret that decision. The salesperson said fuel efficiency between the manual and automatic was nill, and for that reason, I opted not to go with the manual. But I keep reading that the manual offers better real world fuel efficiency. The only reason I've driven manuals in the past was because of their better gas mileage, but the salesperson said that trend was a thing of the past and he recommended the automatic. This is my first post on the forum, and am curious what Yaris drivers have learned about this topic while driving their Yaris. Do manuals offer better gas mileage? Any tips on how I can maximize my fuel economy? Thank you.

01-13-2011, 03:10 PM	#2
WeeYari View User's Garage Drives: 06 Polar White 5dr, 13 Soul 4u Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,764	The manual transmission has a slight edge over the automatic in terms of fuel efficiency. Not by any earth shattering amount though. A lot will depend on how you drive it. The M/T lends itself to achieve better results with hyper-mile techniques than the A/T will. __________________

01-13-2011, 03:37 PM	#3
Shinare Bronze bombshell yaris Drives: 09 Yaris HB 3door Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 641	Except I tend to drive my yaris like a hot little go-kart because of the M/T so my milage suffers a little. :) __________________ Now I drive a CARMINE RED METALLIC 09 Yaris 3-door!! I'm Back!!! WooHoo!! Mods done so far: Tinted windows, Viper 211HV Remote Keyless Entry, Atoto Android headunit, backup camera, steering wheel controls Before it was totaled I drove a 2007 Black Sand Pearl 3 Door Lift-Back M/T with 49k miles. Stock Everything except for black tint, all red badges, red dash, and stealth garage door opener. Ultra-Gauge mounted on steering wheel. A1 Electric MES Central Locks and Avital 3100 Alarm system.

01-13-2011, 04:33 PM	#4
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	I drive an AT and have seen average efficiency per tank range from 32 to 41 MPG. I definitely have control over which way it goes, based on my driving style during the tank. The tanks where I've achieved over 40 haven't involved any serious hypermiling techniques, but rather just not constantly stomping on it. __________________

01-14-2011, 08:29 AM	#10
R2D2 Crazy Oil Sniffer Drives: MM 09 Yaris 5 Dr LB "Click" Join Date: May 2009 Location: ME Posts: 498	The difference between the auto and manual depends largely on how you drive them. Driven "normally" the difference is very small but in the hands of a hypermiler the differences are much greater. You can still achieve great mileage with the auto. I have a current lifetime FE of 41.9 mpg with a best tank of 48.0 mpg in my 5dr auto. Winter kills the FE. I'm doing more very short trips in the cold this winter and am only getting 37-38 mpg. Still pretty good but nothing like can be done in milder climates. __________________ "The howl was the sound of God’s casting pot, the morphing of my cells into shape, the forming of oceans out of molten premordial plasma. And I could feel it. I could cry for it. I could cry with it." -The Fitful One

01-13-2011, 05:01 PM	#6
brg88tx Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan, Auto Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE Texas Posts: 327	i think the salesman was partially right, the mpg difference in newer cars is less than it used to be. in the yaris, i'd say 1-2 mpg. i average about 38 summer, 36 winter mpg with my auto.

01-13-2011, 09:00 PM	#7
RETRO Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 64	I have a 08 3 dr auto. I am getting 37.5 mpg during the winter and 39.5-40.5 mpg during the summer..I think your auto will be fine..As CTScott said that will depend on your driving habits..

01-13-2011, 10:13 PM	#8
TLyttle Drives: 07 Yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Keremeos BC Posts: 986	I have a standard, my buddy has an automatic. We both drive about the same (fairly aggressive), but his is a 4-door hatch, I have a sedan. I get better MPG consistently. Which is eating the fuel? The transmission or the body shape?

01-14-2011, 10:34 AM	#11
MadMax Drives: 2008 Yaris Liftback (Sprocket) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 2,799	I laugh when people claim that autos can't be fun to drive, my Yaris is a blast on backroads and I don't miss my manual one bit! If you ever have to drive in the city, or in stop-and-go traffic, you'll be happy not to have to clutch! Plus, you can manually shift an auto transmission, or you can let it shift on its own; but you'll never get a manual transmission to shift automatically! And "Winter gas" does take its toll, but I am still getting about 33 MPG with my auto and larger wheels. Cheers! M2 __________________

01-14-2011, 12:58 PM	#12
daf62757 Nothing beats a Toyota! View User's Garage Drives: 2013 Yaris 5 dr liftback Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 564	Think of the money you will be saving in not paying for a new clutch! The AT will, realistically, last forever. MT is fun....for a while, but AT is far more dependable and adds to the resell value. __________________ Big Dave Indianapolis, IN Synthetic Oil....its in my car.....for at least 10,000 miles!

01-14-2011, 02:01 PM	#14
nemelek DWEED Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,161	At one time in my life I thought that I would ever own an auto. Now I don't think I'll ever buy a stick again. Getting old. __________________ Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy.

01-14-2011, 02:58 PM	#15
bentjazz Drives: 2009 Yaris--3dr MT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 542	Hi everyone, I got 30mpg on my first tank full, but my tires weren't at their current psi (which is 39). I filled the dealer's tank half way, so I didn't get a very reliable measure there, but I'm hoping to get above 30mpg. I got that from my 1999 1.8L 4cyl. Corolla I sold to buy this. I read some people getting 37-38 in the winter, and figure I must be doing something wrong. Should I be doing anything (excluding high psi tire pressure) to maximize fuel efficiency? I am going to start driving 60mph and below and, as someone on this forum wrote, will act like there is an egg between my foot and the accelerator. Thanks.

01-15-2011, 10:23 PM	#16
alch3miss View User's Garage Drives: Toyota Yaris Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 235	I own both and the MT gets my nod! __________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectYaris

01-17-2011, 01:07 AM	#17
aca72 Drives: '07 Yaris S Sedan M5 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 208	MT= fun AT= boring Yaris MT or AT= winner! __________________

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