¿Este coche tiene transmisión automática?
cam-bio — CAM-bio. au-to-MA-ti-co — stress on third syllable.
When collecting a rental car and confirming the transmission type.
'Cambio automatico' (automatic gearbox) vs 'cambio manuale' (manual/stick shift). Italy has far fewer automatic cars than the UK or US. If you cannot drive manual, always specify 'automatico' when booking. Automatics cost 30-50% more to rent.
Non so guidare il cambio manuale — ne avete uno automatico?
No sé conducir un coche manual — ¿tienen uno automático?
Say this before being assigned your car
Questa macchina ha il cambio automatico? Ero abituato al manuale.
¿Este coche tiene automático? Yo estaba acostumbrado al manual.
Checking in case your preference was changed
Voglio provare il cambio automatico — è più semplice in città?
Quiero probar el automático — ¿es más fácil en la ciudad?
For city driving, automatic is indeed easier
Driving in Italian cities with a manual car can be stressful for those not accustomed to it — stop-start traffic on steep hills (especially in Genoa, Naples, and Rome) is challenging. For a relaxed holiday drive, an automatic is worth the premium. All modern Italian cars in city traffic inch forward constantly in first gear — a manual makes this exhausting.