The automatic is infinetly better in the snow. The initial torque at the rear wheels is better controlled. Many cars have 2nd gear of an automatic as "snow gear". When manually placed in second gear, the car starts in second gear, not first. Allowing less wheel spinning torgue. Much like we would start out in second or even third with a stick shift in very slick conditions so as to not over power the wheels. As for downshifting, manually downshift and it will work just fine. The driveability of the auto is better in the snow, the reliablitly and dependability of the automatic istself may be in question however.

Leonard

"snowy north Idaho"