As you look for a new car to drive, you explore many features and various aspects of the vehicle. One area you don’t want to overlook is the transmission. Your car must have a transmission type that you feel comfortable with, and that fits your driving style. If you have the wrong transmission, you can feel stressed and agitated behind the wheel.
Fortunately, you can learn about the four different types and how they work. As you gain this understanding, you’ll not only feel good about driving a car with one kind of transmission or another but shopping for a vehicle will not be as difficult. Come to Tempe Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Tempe, AZ, so that we can make this decision easier.
Manual transmission is the most difficult to learn and use, but plenty of people still prefer it. This type requires direct intervention from the driver to change gears. The driver does this by using two devices in the car: the stick shift and the clutch pedal. The stick shift is in the center console in between the two front seats, while the clutch pedal is next to the brake on the floor. The driver upshifts and downshifts by moving the stick into the appropriate place. Meanwhile, the driver also presses down on the clutch pedal when shifting and when bringing the car to a stop.
Manual transmission is not as typical as it once was. It offers the following advantages:
The opposite of manual transmission is automatic transmission, which does not require the driver to do anything to shift gears. For example, the car will go from gear to gear by itself as it speeds up and decelerates. There is no stick shift or clutch pedal. This is the most common transmission you can get in a vehicle.
An automatic transmission offers the following benefits:
An emerging type of transmission is a semi-automatic transmission. More and more vehicles have it. A semi-automatic transmission employs elements of manual and automatic transmission. There is no stick shift or clutch pedal, though; the driver can still shift. The driver does this by using steering-wheel-mounted paddles or buttons. Shifting to higher or lower gears is optional, as the vehicle will automatically shift when it speeds up or slows down.
You can enjoy the following benefits with this type of transmission:
Smaller cars, such as compact models and compact SUVs, often have continuously variable transmission. Also called CVT, this type doesn’t have fixed gears like the other three kinds. Instead, a CVT has belts and pulleys. There are also limitless gear ratios. The shifting occurs automatically.
Here are some benefits of using this type:
If you drive a vehicle with a transmission that you don’t like, the entire driving experience can be a difficult one. But you can choose a transmission that suits your needs and style. Evaluate these four types and study their advantages and benefits. This should help you choose one that is good for your driving needs and budget.
You can also come to Tempe Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Tempe, AZ. We have auto experts to help you see which transmission of your choice comes in what models. You’ll then be able to bring home a reliable car with a transmission you enjoy.
