Manual, Automatic, CVT: What Does It All Mean?

Learn About The Different Kinds Of Transmission

Facts About Manual Transmissions

With regards to your car’s transmission, what’s the difference between manual, automatic, and CVT? Let’s start by answering a simpler question: what is manual transmission? Well, a car with a manual transmission gives you a more hands-on approach to driving. When driving a manual car, it’s up to you to operate the gear stick and clutch to change the gears. You may have also heard a manual transmission called MT, manual gearbox, standard transmission, or stick shift. Whereas in an automatic transmission, your car changes its own gears to match what’s appropriate for the amount of power it needs, with a manual transmission car, you have to know which gear your car should be in and adjust accordingly. Many people prefer a manual transmission to an automatic one because, despite a learning curve, once you figure it out, you’ll feel more engaged with your driving experience and more in tune with your car.

What Makes A Transmission Automatic

In contrast to the manual transmission, an automatic transmission – often abbreviated as AT – is a transmission that can shift gears without any input needed from you. Most cars have a hydraulic automatic transmission connected to your engine by a torque converter (or, in older cars, fluid coupling). In contrast, most manual transmissions are connected to the engine by a friction clutch. The automatic transmission comes standard in most vehicles. Really one of the only detriments to cars with an automatic transmission is that they tend to be less fuel-efficient than manual cars. However, the main benefit of an automatic transmission is that you don’t have to worry about shifting the gears yourself – your car is smart enough to do it for you.

Don’t Forget CVT!

So now that you understand the difference between a manual and an automatic transmission, we’ll throw you a curveball. There’s yet another type of transmission that you should know about. That is, of course, the CVT, which stands for continuously variable transmission. CVT cars have only recently become popular, although the design has been around for a long time. While the other types of transmission use an intricate system of parts to shift between their gears, most CVT systems work through pulleys. This type of transmission has cones at the end of each pulley, connected via a chain belt, and the cones move to increase or decrease the diameter of the belt. This method of changing gear ratios lets the car shift quickly, increasing its power effortlessly. This kind of transmission has excellent fuel economy and can get the most power possible out of a smaller engine. If you need transmission repair in Craig, CO, for any type of transmission, bring it to Chapman’s Automotive!