Transmission Trio and What You Drive

Which Transmission Is Best For You?

For many drivers that don’t know how things work under the hood, the transmission is a mystical beast that somehow makes their car move. For those in the know, it’s one of the most complicated and essential parts of any automobile, and yet they still may not fully understand how it all works. We at Auto Shop Elite in Sterling, VA, know that when you bring your car in for transmission repair, you want to know exactly what’s going on. That’s why we’ll look at the three most common types of gear shifting technology available today.

Standard Shifting

The transmission is the component of your vehicle that adjusts acceleration. Manual or standard varieties use a third pedal alongside the gas and brake that let drivers control when that shifting occurs. By transferring power from smaller gears to larger ones, you allow the engine to accelerate or maintain speeds without needing to work harder to do so. That third pedal engages the clutch, releasing gears from direct engine control so you can make a switch on the fly instead of the car determining the timing for you.

Fully/Semi-Automatic

As technology progressed, so did the notion that shifting could be handled by something other than the driver. Enter the automatic transmission, which allowed drivers to focus on the road instead of the clutch by letting a computer take charge. At first, these were very fuel-inefficient, but as time has passed, they have become much more economical. Many performance cars have made the switch from standard just for that reason.

In addition, some semi-automatic transmissions forego a clutch while still offering you the option of manually changing gears. This best-of-both-worlds scenario is very attractive to some since it offers drivers much more control without needing to learn a whole new way to operate a vehicle.

Continuously Variable Transmission

The CVT model gets rid of gears altogether, using belts to create a smoother ride with no sudden jolts when shifting. While somewhat less efficient than a manual, its lower production costs and ability to maintain fuel-efficient speeds may make up the difference. No matter which kind you use in your car, look for an expert to tackle transmission repair. Understanding how your vehicle works are the first steps in finding a qualified garage that puts value and safety above everything else!