6 Main Types of Automotive Transmission System

Also known as an automatic transmission, n-speed transmission, or torque converter automatic, this is the standard type of automatic transmission found in most cars today. Unlike a manual gearbox, it does not use a clutch to change gears. Instead, a hydraulic coupling or torque converter does this job. It connects to the engine's Electronic Control Unit and allows precise control of the vehicle.

It is a type of transmission that automatically changes gear ratios as the vehicle moves. The benefits of an AT center on giving drivers the freedom to change gears manually. Other advantages include smooth and precise engine control. Note that AT can be found on many non-MT vehicles.

Automatic cars work well, but gear changes are not quick all the time, earning them the name 'slush box'. The impression has been changing, thanks to some brilliant transmission models, like the ZF 8-speed, which you'll find in many high-performance cars, from Jaguars to BMWs.

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2. Automated Manual Transmission

Also known as a semi-automatic transmission (SAT) or paddle shift gearboxes, a semi-automatic transmission is a type of automatic transmission that involves the driver making gear changes similar to a manual transmission. However, it does not have a clutch unlike an MT and uses electronic equipment such as sensors, actuators and processors to simulate the manual and make gear changes precise and smooth.

This type of automatic transmission uses a regular clutch and gear configuration, but automates the action through the use of sensors, actuators, processors and pneumatics.

Cars with this transmission provide better performance on highways. They are not recommended for city driving because the engines feel jerky under hard acceleration.

3. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

A continuously variable transmission or CVT is technically another type of automatic transmission. However, it does not use mechanical gears unlike an AT and instead utilizes belts or pulleys to allow for seamless gear changes based on rations and depending on engine speed. The compact design and seamless acceleration are some of the advantages of a CVT, while the engine's different feel and cost are some of its disadvantages.

It allows perfect gear changes with different ratios and facilitates the engine to rotate at maximum RPM (speed).

There are two more types of CVT. The Hydrostatic CVT uses hydrostatic motors and variable displacement pumps to transfer power to the engine. On the other hand, toroidal CVTs use motorized discs and rollers for this purpose.
The transmission allows the engine to operate at maximum efficiency with continuous acceleration. It's good for fuel economy and repairs and maintenance are not expensive. However, the engine creates a lot of noise under acceleration and load. Many models use this gearbox, and some of the crowd favorites are the Chevrolet Spark, Ford C-Max, Nissan Sentra, and more.

4. Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

Another type of automatic transmission is the dual clutch transmission system or DCT. Also known as dual clutch transmission or dual clutch transmission, it has no torque conversion and mainly involves the use of two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets, thus allowing seamless shifting to higher and lower gears. It also has no clutch pedal, and instead a computer operates both clutches. Therefore, it offers the ease of a TA with the performance of an MT.

It is a hybrid of automatic and manual transmission. There is no torque converter in the DCT. You will use two separate shafts for gear shifting, one for odd gears and one for even gears. Both axles have their own clutch.

You can shift to a higher or lower gear in a split second and the transformation from automatic to manual is seamless too. However, DCT gearboxes cannot escape complaints of noisy clutches, scratching and harsh shifts.

5. Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)

It is almost similar to DCT but without its annoying problems. It uses two clutches instead of a torque converter, and its mechanism works by simply disengaging one clutch and engaging the other to change gears. This transmission offers faster gear changes and smoother starts than traditional models.

Modern DSG units provide better fuel efficiency than even manual gearboxes. The DCT is a dry transmission that never requires the driver to change the gearbox fluid. This leaves the clutches dry and eventually wears out their friction quality. The results are abrupt shifts, slow responses to gear changes, and a jerky transmission. On the other hand, DGS is a wet transmission that keeps the clutches lubricated. The result is decade-long service with lighting gear-shifting performance. However, you need to change the fluid regularly (every 40,000 miles), which can be costly.

Many car manufacturers like Skoda, VW, Porsche and Audi use this model in their cars but with different names. For example, Porsche calls it PDK gearboxes while the name changes to DSG S-Tronic units for Audi models.

automobile transmission system

6. Tiptronic Transmission

It is one of the types of automatic transmission that works like a manual gearbox. However, it is different from manual operation in the sense that it uses a torque converter in place of the clutch pedal, has the option of automatic shifting and does not allow the driver to have full control over the gears.

A Tiptronic transmission gives the driver the option of driving in automatic or manual mode. Introduced by Porsche in the 90s and adopted by other manufacturers soon after, this type of automatic transmission does not have a clutch, but, when used in manual mode, allows direct selection of up and down gears using paddles behind the steering wheel. or by the gear lever itself. . When used in automatic mode, the computer changes gears.

What is unique about this unit is that it has the option to override automatic mode. This means you can drive your car automatically, as well as being able to switch to manual mode when necessary, such as going up a hill or going down a steep road.

Cars using this unit have a built-in safety feature so that any driver error does not result in damage to the gearbox. Several manufacturers use this type of automatic transmission, but it was first seen in the Porsche 911 (in 1990) and later adopted by BMW and Chrysler.