Automatic and Manual Transmission Service
Your vehicle’s transmission is the most difficult engine component to repair. Transmissions are notorious for being misdiagnosed, so avoid any trial-and-error service methods. In this article, we'll examine the two main types of transmissions and explore options for both automatic and manual transmission service in Western, MA.
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.Automatic Transmission
An automatic transmission functions much the same way but with the help of automation. While a manual transmission locks and unlocks different sets of gears to achieve the various gear ratios needed in each shifting position, an automatic transmission uses the same set of gears to produce all of the different gear ratios. This technology, known as a planetary gearset, makes these gear combinations possible in an automatic transmission and requires less driver involvement to make it happen— i.e. no clutch pedal is needed or and no manual shifting is required.Read More: Best of the Blog: Understanding Your Transmission