The car transmission types are critical module in the vehicle that pass on power from the engine to the wheels. This drivetrain is located in between the engine and the wheels to maintain revolutions per minute (RPM).

Table of Contents

Manual and automatic are the two basic types of transmission. Automatic transmission types are further categorized as Automatic Transmission, Semi-Automatic Transmission, Continuously Variable Transmission, Tiptronic Transmission and Dual Clutch Transmission.

Different Transmission Types: Pros and Cons

Modern cars have different transmission types. Here we shall discuss one by one with pros and cons.

Manual Transmission: Pros

More Engaging to the Driver: The driver has complete control over gears and when to shift.
Less Expensive: Vehicles are comparatively less expensive than automatic transmission. It has less repair cost afterwards.
Fuel Efficiency: Overall less complex engine, reduced weight and more gears makes it fuel efficient.
Must Read: Bad Fuel Economy: What You Need to Know
More Control: There is no torque converter, driver have more control over brakes.
Lesser Distractions: Manual transmission types need more concentration to properly operate the clutch, gears, brakes, and steering wheel.
Less Stolen Rate: People have fail to notice how to drive a manual since automatic vehicles came.
Re-sale Value: The trade for manual cars might be smaller, but the demand in between car enthusiasts is quiet sizeable. Sportier models have extra edge.
More Fun and Less Repairs: While driving a stick shift, driver feel more in touch with the gearing, acceleration, handling, braking, and engine. These are less complex, so save money in times of repair.

Manual Transmission Types: Cons

Difficult Driving in Heavy Traffic: It is difficult to drive in heavy traffic situations due to continual stopping / starting and manual gear changes repeatedly.
Difficult to Learn Driving: It takes generally more time to learn driving with a manual tranmission. You are required to master gear shifting.
Transmission Damage: When you have stopped your car keeping it in gear, it can damage your transmission as clutch is engaged.
Limited Variety with Manual Transmission Types: Only limited models offer manual transmission.
Precise Control on Hills: Precise control on hills is required to avoid from stalling or rolling backwards.

Must Read: Elevate Your Drive with the Most Unique Drive Types Available

Automatic Transmission: Pros

An automatic transmission doesn’t require a driver to shift gears manually.

Easy to Drive in Heavy Traffic: Automatic gearbox offers a flawless transition between gears in start / stop traffic.
Better for Hilly Areas: Now a days most automatic cars are offered with hill-hold control for enhanced convenience.
No Stalling Vehicle: Stalling will only occur if there’s a mechanical problem in the vehicle.
Less Restrictive: Mostly new drivers are taught that the secure way to drive is to keep both hands tighty on the steering wheel all the times. This is only possible in automatic transmission types.
Less Prone to Accidents: These cars are potentially safer as they’re less liable to accidents due to human error.

Automatic Transmission Types: Cons

Frequent and Expensive Maintenance: These are more complex than manuals due to a variety of working parts. They often take longer for mechanics to repair and have relatively shorter lifespan than manuals.
Less Fuel Efficient: Driver rely on the torque converter for transition of gears, which makes it less fuel-efficient.
Limited Sense of Control: It offers limited sense of control to drivers.
Low Transmission Fluid: Automatic transmission types depend very much on the transmission fluid for shifting between gears. Low levels of transmission fluid can lead to a very costly negligence as it can damage the transmission completely.
Overheat: You can simply, say overheat is death warrant of automatic transmission. Transmission fluid not only lubricate the components, also act as a coolent.
Abrupt Stops: Sudden stops destroy the drivetrains, eventually destroy the transmission.
Downshifting While Braking: While braking, don’t do downshifting. It may help in manual transmission, but in automatics it can destroy transmission in long runs.

Global Automotive Transmission Type Market share Between 2015 and 2025

https://www.statista.com/statistics/204123/transmission-type-market-share-in-automobile-production-worldwide

Have a look on the above given statistics, share of manual transmission is decreasing. Market share of automatic transmission is also squeezing. It is due to other improved transmission technologies such as CVT and DCT.

Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)

It is also known as Semi-Automatic Transmission (SAT) or Clutchless Manual Transmission (CMT).

Mechanically, Automated Manual Transmission is just like manual transmission. Sensors and actuators perform the task of clutch and shift gears. AMT cars don’t have a clutch pedal.

When needed, AMT also allows you manual gear shifting. Simply push forward the gear lever for upshift and pull it backward for downshift.

Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

DCT mostly behave much like automatic transmissions. Although, DCT is not actually an automatic. It is an automated manual transmission (AMT). DCT have two clutches and are arranged concentrically.

Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) use an electronically controlled manual gearbox. On the other hand an Automatic Transmission (AT) uses planetary gear.

Benefits of DCT Transmission Types

DCT provides better fuel economy and smoother performance than AT, MT or AMT.
You can enjoy a performance drive as it shifts gear with high precision.

Drawbacks of DCT

Its a relatively complex transmission.
It requires more space under the hood than other transmissions relatively.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

CVT have an unending range of effective gear ratios. It performs transition of gears seamlessly through this unending range of effective gears ratio.

This transmission type hits the base of primary customers. It obtains as much power as possible from a smaller engine. It makes acceleration quicker and well responsive.

CVT Transmission Types: Pros

It provides a significantly improved fuel efficiency of about 38 mpg on an average midsized sedan.
A right gear ratio allows the engine to seamlessly provide immediate power without hard shifting in uphill drive.

CVT Transmission: Cons

CVT is comparatively more costly.
It has short lifespan of about 100,000 miles i.e half of the traditional transmissions.
CVT produces loud droning sound during acceleration.

Conclusion

Hope you have understood the basic working and pros and cons of transmission types of modern day cars. You can evaluate your needs and make a decision of your choice.