There are several reasons why more and more people in The Gambia and also Senegal are driving big cars with automatic transmissions:
Comfort:
Automatic transmissions are usually easier to use as the driver does not have to shift between different gears. This makes driving more comfortable overall, especially in urban traffic where frequent stopping and starting is required.
Ease of use:
Traffic situation:
The Gambia, like many other African countries, experiences increased traffic, especially in urban areas. In heavy traffic, shifting between gears can be tedious. An automatic transmission makes driving easier and reduces stress.
Availability of vehicles:
In recent years, the availability of vehicles with automatic transmissions has improved. In the past, automatic transmissions were more expensive and often only offered in higher priced vehicle models. Today, automatic transmissions are available in a wider range of vehicles and at a more affordable price, which has increased their appeal.
Preferences and preferences:
Personal preferences also play a role. Some drivers simply prefer the driving experience and convenience of an automatic transmission and therefore make a conscious choice.
The urge for more luxury and comfort:
There are also more and more luxurious and large cars coming to The Gambia, new and old Mercedes S-Class, Range Rover, G-Wagon, GLE or X5 or X6, Porsche Cayenne, these luxury cars have an automatic transmission fitted in 95% of all cases. Even classic cars from the 1980s, such as a Mercedes S-Class with an eight-cylinder engine, always had an automatic transmission. 95% of all American cars are also equipped with an automatic gearbox.
Important to know:
Why is it dangerous for the automatic transmission to drag a faulty automatic car to the workshop?
Even the most modern automatic transmissions cannot stand being towed:
Numerous risks can arise when towing a vehicle with a faulty automatic transmission. This is because an automatic transmission is not able to receive lubrication and cooling by turning the wheels, as is the case with a running engine. However, if the vehicle is towed, the wheels may turn and the transmission will not be adequately lubricated and cooled.
Lubrication and cooling are always essential for cars with automatics:
The lack of adequate lubrication and cooling can lead to increased wear of the transmission components, especially if the vehicle is towed for long distances or at higher speeds. This can cause serious damage to the transmission and ultimately lead to expensive repairs or complete transmission failure. Even engine damages can result!
No longer roadworthy? Then better organise a tow truck in Africa:
Especially with heavy vehicles, secondary defects caused by improper – but much cheaper – towing are unpleasant side effects that must be avoided.
If, for example, a standard Mercedes C-Class is used as a taxi to pull a Range Rover of almost twice its weight with a defective automatic gearbox to the nearest workshop, irreversible damage to the Range Rover’s automatic gearbox may occur within a few miles. The longer the towing journey and the higher the speed of the duo, the more likely it is that the defective vehicle will suffer expensive consequential damage. This is why vehicle experts (such as German Heiner) recommend that owners of vehicles with automatic transmissions always have the vehicle taken to the workshop by tow truck or trailer in the event of a breakdown.
Gambia Cost comparison towing with pulling taxi versus towing truck over 5km. How much does a towing trip with a taxi cost compared to a towing trip with a tow truck?
At first glance, 500 to 700 Dalassis for such a towing trip with a taxi is cheap. But that is only at first glance. The consequential damages of an improper tow with a taxi or similar can run into the hundreds of thousands – in the example of the Hyundai Santa Fe shown here, the automatic transmission was irreversibly damaged on such a tow with a towing vehicle and now the owner of the Hyundai has to pay between 80,000 and 90,000 Dalassis to get his vehicle ready to drive again. He has been waiting for the right automatic gearbox for six weeks. That means saving money at the wrong end …
Tow Truck is safe, costs a little bit more:
Asis, a car local mechanic with his workshop near the Brusubi Turntable, says: „People always want to save money, but often have very valuable and expensive cars with good equipment. Often enough, the stinginess is too pronounced after all; the consequences of an incorrectly executed tow with a towing vehicle increasingly lead to considerable damage to the defective vehicle. Also, more and more defective automatic transmissions result from people’s urge to save a dalassi or two, even though the consequences are expensive. I am currently trying to get an automatic gearbox for a customer, unfortunately this has been unsuccessful so far. This V6 Hyundai was improperly towed, 12km was 10km too much for the demanding automatic transmission of the heavy Hyundai Santa Fe with V6 engine.“
Concludes mechanic Asis:
Asis finishes with a few words to all vacationers and Africans:
„Happy driving on the roads of West Africa to all our readers! Take care of yourself and other road users!“
Press release written by
BellaCoola Film Production UG
Ms Isatou Camara and Mr Oliver Gaebe
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