Many automatic shifters feature ... a traditional manual setup. Unlike a manual, shifting into a higher gear in these modes doesn’t force the car to use that gear exclusively.

However, manufacturers build automatic cars that can switch to a manual mode or lock the car in a lower gear. So, if you want to use engine braking, you only have to release the accelerator and ...

In our tests, we've found that in some cars a manual transmission ... largely because the automatic has taller gearing, so the engine revs slower on the highway, using less gas.