Why Car Tax so high on Automatic model

[trevor123]

Been looking thro Parker web page at other tow car for towing, have found that the same model one a manual the road tax just say is only £155 for the year and the other auto model is from £300 to £500? do you know why? Thanks Trevor

 

[JTQ]

Its almost certainly because the slightly less efficient torque converter automatic make the vehicle need more fuel; this directly increases its CO2 value and that might be enough to cross the tax band into a higher rating.

 

[trevor123]

Hi JTQ, That was a quick repy Thanks, I think we will stick to manual gears in the future, Happy caravaning, Trevor

 

[Mikey1]

Unless you get a car with a multitronic gearbox as these are nearly the same as the manual version

 

[602]

Hi,

Last years KIA Picanta was

 

[SteveW77]

The Tiptronic box makes no difference to the Sorentos tax class, it's still above the limit and therefore a

 

[Lutz]

602, car manufacturers have been deleting full size spare wheels on some models for the same reason.

 

[trevor123]

Hi All, Just can't belive the reply I had from you, But one way I never buy a car not having a spare wheel fitted, safety come first, Thanks Trevor

 

[602]

Hi Trevor,

My wife's KIA (both last year and this) did not have a spare wheel. We obtained another wheel and tyre, and found there was room under the boot floor. I hope the rescue truck carries jack and wheel spanner.

602

 

[Guest]

The current scenario is that many cars either have what is called a 'spacesaver' or no spare at all. My own Volvo has a spacesaver which is basically a steel wheel with a narrower tyre. The main reason is that the car itself has wide low profile tyres fitted and these are bluntly huge.Even with alloys they are pretty heavy to handle, so I suspect that the installation of the spacesaver was a compromise by Volvo. If I fit it I can drive at speeds up to 50 mph, although it is recommended I get the original wheel and tyre re-installed as soon as possible. As it is a brand new wheel and tyre I suspect it would get me quite a distance if required.

The other scenario is no spare at all and you get a can of aerosol foam which is supposed to re-inflate the car tyre, and get you home. This is common on cars such as the Smartcar where the front and rear wheels are of different sizes, so a normal spare is not practical. It is also common on many motorhomes as the spare wheel is huge and space may be limited. It is also not always possible to change the wheels at the roadside, so if you are calling out the breakdown service anyway, they can sort the whole problem out for you.

The other thing to bear in mind is that many alloy wheels require tightening torques of 100 lb/ft or more, not your normal quick twist.

 

[Guest]

The current scenario is that many cars either have what is called a 'spacesaver' or no spare at all. My own Volvo has a spacesaver which is basically a steel wheel with a narrower tyre. The main reason is that the car itself has wide low profile tyres fitted and these are bluntly huge.Even with alloys they are pretty heavy to handle, so I suspect that the installation of the spacesaver was a compromise by Volvo. If I fit it I can drive at speeds up to 50 mph, although it is recommended I get the original wheel and tyre re-installed as soon as possible. As it is a brand new wheel and tyre I suspect it would get me quite a distance if required.

The other scenario is no spare at all and you get a can of aerosol foam which is supposed to re-inflate the car tyre, and get you home. This is common on cars such as the Smartcar where the front and rear wheels are of different sizes, so a normal spare is not practical. It is also common on many motorhomes as the spare wheel is huge and space may be limited. It is also not always possible to change the wheels at the roadside, so if you are calling out the breakdown service anyway, they can sort the whole problem out for you.

The other thing to bear in mind is that many alloy wheels require tightening torques of 100 lb/ft or more, not your normal quick twist.

By the way, apologies for drifting from the OP, but I only followed the last postings.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Unless you get a car with a multitronic gearbox as these are nearly the same as the manual version

Car tax is governed by the amount of CO2 the vehicle produces under government specified conditions. It does not take into account the type of gear box, simply just how much CO2 is produced.

All auto boxes consume some power to effect gear changes, this will be demonstrated by a raised level of CO2 compared to the equivalent manual version. If the rise takes the model through one of the governments band threshold then the higher rate of tax will apply.

 

[johnwendy]

Hi,

Last years KIA Picanta was

 

[johnwendy]

When buying our little Picanto 5 years ago the LX had a middle seat belt and was the only one to be taxed at the higher rate! The salesman forgot to point this out even though he'd made a big deal out of the low tax benefit on the Picanto range.

Looking at the new tow cars Kia had in stock recently, we were also surprised at the difference in tax on manuals and autos (due to the emissions).

Wendy

Looking at the new tow cars Kia had in stock recently, we were also surprised at the difference in tax on manuals and autos (due to the emissions).

Wendy