An Introduction to Automatic Transmission (A/T)

The other models in small car segment I found is only i10 or the previous Santro.

You are right that AT is not popular in India.  Main reasons are cost and small engines, e.g., see the comparison of your Car Wagon R.  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R AX is similarly equipped as Maruti Suzuki Wagon R LXi, except AX has front power windows and A/T (3 gear), cost about Rs. 95,000 more (over 25%).  Further, due to 3 gear A/T FE is very low in comparison to M/T.

If one wants to use the engine braking (which is assisting the traditional brake to improve braking efficiency), while going downhill, then one can put the AT car in 2 (rarely L but depends on situation) - this will slow the car down significantly. However, remember to go back to D when back on level/less slope. Overdrive in such condition is not advisable (it is like driving in 4th gear downhill).

When overtaking, ones needs more power, so overdrive OFF would be better.

Ideally best use of OD is on highway speed to get best FE (same as driving @ top gear with MT), but do not worry in city/crowded area, the transmission will already take care of not going in OD. In general, AT have OD enabled (ON) by default.

Yes but i believe that the mindset of Indian people is changing. Bumper to bumper urban traffic and the sheer convenience offered by ATs are the primary factors.

Yeah the mindset of indian people are changing as is the driving style i believe that it won't be long when people start driving responsibly and also discipline themselves in individual lane driving, observe all the necessary rules and using indicators correctly, as the roads of our india are improving and flyovers and sealinks like bandra-worli sealink are coming up people will drive more carefully and more smoothly, it will be the most beautiful sight to watch as the antire nations driving style changes.JUST IMAGINE.

Best regards.

Thank you @Greencar, for providing very useful information/tips.   However, I have not turned off OD while overtaking.  But you may be right for small eninge cars because my experience is limited to bigger engines.

Thanks Amit for providing more insights about AT. Appreciate it.

Some of my friends suggested that I should go for AT for my first car purchase. But as you rightly said, it costs more (and did not suit my budget). But more importantly, being a novice driver, I was keen to go for an MT, just so that I can drive other MT cars belonging to my friends and family ... you never know when need might arise.

But with your post I am now keen to test drive/learn an AT too

Keep up the good work.