Understanding Your Transmission: Transmission Types

Posted on October 27, 2017 in Auto Repair, Maintenance, Tips From The Pros

Cars need transmissions because of the physics of the gasoline engine. In this article, we won’t get into the complexities of how an engine works. Instead, we’ll start by showing you the basics of how the most common transmissions work:

1) Manual transmissions

Manual transmissions require that the driver change gears by depressing a clutch pedal and using a stick shift. The clutch pedal connects the transmission to the engine, and the input shaft of the transmission turns at the same rpm as the engine. When a driver changes gears, the clutch pulls away from the transmission so that you can shift into a different gear and produce a different rpm value. A five-speed transmission applies one of five different gear ratios to the input shaft to produce a different rpm value at the output shaft.

2) Torque Converter Automatic (a.k.a. automatic transmission)

Cars with an automatic transmission have no clutch that disconnects the transmission from the engine. Instead, they use a device called a torque converter. Using the torque converter, clutches, and sets of planetary gears, the automatics do all of the shifting work for drivers.

3) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Ideally, a car’s transmission would be so flexible in its ratios that the engine could always run at its single, best-performance rpm value. That is the idea behind the continuously variable transmission (CVT). A CVT has a nearly infinite range of gear ratios. This transmission uses rubber bands which can imitate any gear in a car. Originally, CVTs produced an unpleasant driving experience. They couldn’t compete with four-speed and five-speed transmissions in terms of cost, size and reliability, so you didn't see them in production automobiles. Since then, they have since been improved for excellent fuel economy appearing in several models, like the Toyota Prius.

4) Double clutch

Double-clutching was common in older cars and is still common in some modern race cars. When using a double-clutch, you first push the clutch pedal in once to disengage the engine from the transmission. This takes the pressure off the dog teeth so you can move the collar into neutral. Then you release the clutch pedal and rev the engine to the "right speed." The right gears and the collar rotating at the same speed so that the dog teeth can engage. Then you push the clutch pedal in again and lock the collar into the new gear. At every gear change you have to press and release the clutch twice, hence the name "double-clutching."

At V&F

...we strive to provide our customer a well-rounded knowledge of all things automotive. Since 1988, our family owned and operated service center has been providing top quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. If your car needs maintenance or repair, call us at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.