Manual or “Manuel” Transmission? The Correct Term Explained

It’s “manual transmission,” not “Manuel transmission.” “Manual” describes a gearbox you shift by hand with a clutch pedal, while “Manuel” is a personal name and isn’t used for vehicle components. The confusion is common in casual speech and online searches, but the automotive term has always been “manual.”

What “Manual Transmission” Means

A manual transmission is a mechanical gearbox that the driver operates by selecting gears with a stick shift and engaging a clutch pedal. It provides direct control over gear changes, often favored for driver engagement, mechanical simplicity, and, in some cases, durability and cost benefits. While manuals have become less common in new cars in markets like the United States, they remain popular in performance models and in regions where affordability and driver involvement are priorities.

Why People Mix Up “Manual” and “Manuel”

The mix-up usually stems from pronunciation and spelling. “Manual” (MAN-yoo-uhl) is the correct technical term. “Manuel” (mahn-WELL) is a given name in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and other languages. Because the words can sound similar in some accents, “Manuel transmission” occasionally appears in informal writing—but it’s incorrect in automotive usage.

Related Transmission Terms You Might Hear

Understanding adjacent terms helps clarify what “manual” does—and does not—mean. Here are common transmission types and phrases you’ll see in reviews, spec sheets, and discussions.

• Automatic transmission (AT): Shifts gears by itself, typically using a torque converter.
• Continuously variable transmission (CVT): Uses pulleys and a belt or chain to provide a range of ratios without fixed gears.
• Dual-clutch transmission (DCT): An automated manual with two clutches that pre-select gears for very fast shifts.
• Automated manual transmission (AMT): A single-clutch manual shifted by actuators; no clutch pedal.
• Semi-automatic: Broad term for systems that automate clutching and/or shifting; may still allow driver-initiated shifts.
• Tiptronic/Sport shift/Manual mode: Manual gear selection via paddles or the lever on an automatic; the transmission remains automatic.
• Stick shift/Standard shift: Informal North American terms for manual transmission.
• Gearbox vs. transmission: In US English, “transmission” is standard; in UK/Commonwealth usage, “gearbox” is common.

These labels distinguish how gear changes happen and whether a clutch pedal is involved. Only a true manual uses a clutch pedal the driver operates directly.

How to Use the Term Correctly in Writing

A few simple style choices keep your wording clear and professional in automotive contexts.

1. Use “manual transmission” in full on first mention; “manual” or “MT” is acceptable afterward.
2. Lowercase “manual transmission” unless it begins a sentence or is part of a title.
3. Hyphenate when used as a compound adjective: “a manual-transmission model.”
4. Pluralize normally: “manual transmissions.”
5. Avoid “Manuel” unless it’s a person’s name; it’s never correct for the gearbox.

Following these conventions prevents ambiguity, especially in mixed discussions that also reference automatics, CVTs, or DCTs.

Quick Examples

These sample sentences show correct usage in everyday and technical contexts.

• The car is offered with a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.
• Enthusiasts praised the manual for its precise shift feel and well-weighted clutch.
• For 2025, the model drops the manual transmission in North America.
• He learned to drive on a manual and prefers the engagement over a CVT.

Each example treats “manual” as the established technical term and avoids the incorrect “Manuel.”

FAQs

Common questions highlight where the term “manual” fits among modern drivetrains and why precision matters.

• Is “standard transmission” the same as manual? Often yes in North America, though “standard” can be ambiguous in specs.
• Is a DCT a manual? It’s an automated manual (no clutch pedal), not a traditional manual transmission.
• Do paddles make an automatic a manual? No. Paddles provide manual control of shifts, but the unit remains an automatic or DCT.
• Is “Manuel” ever correct for cars? Only as a person’s name (e.g., a designer or driver). It’s not a mechanical term.

Using the precise label avoids confusion, particularly when comparing performance, reliability, and driving experience across transmission types.

Summary

The correct term is “manual transmission.” “Manuel” is a personal name and not used for gearboxes. A manual transmission requires the driver to operate a clutch pedal and shift gears, distinguishing it from automatics, CVTs, and automated manuals like DCTs. Using the right term keeps technical writing accurate and clear.

Why is it called manual transmission?

If you choose a model with a manual transmission, most people call this driving with a stick shift. The name comes from the driver having to use the stick shift (gear shifter found in the center console) to change gears as they accelerate and decelerate.

Is it manual or manuel?

It depends on the context: use “Manual” for a guide, a device operated by hand, or a task done by hand; use “Manuel” for a male given name, a Spanish and Portuguese form of the name Emmanuel. 
Use “Manual” when:

• Referring to a book of instructions. 
  • Example: “I need to read the manual to assemble this shelf.”
• Describing something that is done by or with the hands. 
  • Example: “She has excellent manual dexterity.”
• Identifying a device or system that does not use electricity or other automatic power. 
  • Example: “He prefers to drive a manual car.”

Use “Manuel” when: 

• Referring to a person’s name.
  • Example: “That is Manuel’s car.”

How do you spell manual car?

What Is a Manual Car? A manual transmission car is a vehicle that uses a stick shift and a clutch pedal to change gears. You will shift gears when you want to speed up or slow down. Manual cars sometimes get referred to as “standard.”

What does Manuel mean for a car?

In a manual vehicle, on the other hand, the driver is in complete control of the gears. That can give you more control in dangerous situations, but also means that you need to pay closer attention to your speed and RPM because you’ll need to shift on your own.