If you’re in the market for a pre-owned certified Toyota, you’re probably trying to decide what kind of transmission you need. While you may be more comfortable with one or the other, just how much do you know about how they work? They both accomplish the same thing in the end, but each offers its own benefits and challenges.

The transmission in your certified Toyota allows the engine to work at a variety of speeds so that it can power the car as efficiently as possible. As your engine works, it sets gears in motion. These gears are the transmission. They operate at different speeds in order to use the power of the engine in the best way possible. The gears need to be shifted at different speeds in order to accomplish this. Just like it sounds, an automatic transmission shifts the gears for you while a manual transmission requires the driver to shift them.

Many people appreciate the ease of an automatic transmission in their certified Toyota. They don’t’ have to think about shifting; they just rely on the car to do it for them to keep their drive smooth and efficient. While this line of reasoning makes sense, it’s not enough for everyone. An automatic transmission works very well, but it’s still a piece of machinery. Sometimes the driver can make better decisions about the gears than the car can, and this is why other people prefer manual transmissions.

With a manual transmission, the driver has more control over than engine of their certified Toyota than they do with an automatic transmission. They can choose how much power they want when going up or down hills, for example, or when they are driving in rough conditions. This form of transmission requires a greater understanding of the engine, but it also takes one hand away from the steering wheel. Really, both forms of transmissions have their uses, and it’s important that you choose the one that you are most comfortable with. After all, you’re the one driving the hills of Missouri!