Maybe his was in low range? Unless you’ve got a problem with your torque converter. It’s possible the auto ratio in first is less of a reduction given the ability of the torque converter to vary the speed up to a slightly higher gear I suppose.I've only driven rosies manuel down a hill once, nothing steep but i had to accelerate down the hill where as in mine i had to break down the hill. Cant say what gears were used but i was amazed by the difference