An automatic transmission is a multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that do not require any driver input to change gears under normal driving conditions. The most common type of automatic transmission is the hydraulic automatic, which uses a planetary gearset, hydraulic controls, and a torque convertor.
An automatic transmission is also known as self-shifting transmission or AT or dual pedal technology, as this system operates without a clutch pedal. It is a type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, erasing the need to shift gears manually.
The automatic transmission is especially efficient in bumper-to-bumper congested traffic in cities, where a manual transmission-equipped vehicle’s driver needs to constantly move the gears.
Lets take a look different parts of an Automatic Transmission:
The torque converter sits between the engine and transmission. It looks like a donut and is located in the large opening of the bell housing of the gearbox. This has two main functions in relation to the transmission of torque:
It performs these two functions thanks to hydraulic power provided by the transmission fluid inside your transmission.
To avoid this loss of energy, most modern torque converters have a torque converter clutch attached to the turbine. When the car reaches a certain speed (usually 45-50 mph), the torque converter clutch engages, causing the turbine to spin at the same speed as the pump. A computer controls when the converter clutch is engaged.
On an automatic transmission, gear ratios increase and decrease automatically. And this can happen thanks to the ingenious design of planetary gear.
A planetary gear consists of three components:
Brake bands are made of metal that is lined with organic friction material. The brake bands can be tightened to keep the ring or sun gear stationary, or loosened to allow them to rotate. Whether a brake band tightens or loosens is controlled by a hydraulic system.
The pump looks like a fan. It has a series of blades extending from its center. The pump is mounted directly on the torque converter housing, which in turn is bolted directly to the engine flywheel. As a result, the pump rotates at the same speed as the engine’s crankshaft. The pump “pumps” transmission oil from the center to the outside.
The most common type of automatic transmission uses hydraulic power to shift gears. This device combines a torque or fluid clutch converter with gear sets that provide the desired gear range for the vehicle. The torque converter connects the engine to the transmission and transfers the power to the gears with hydraulic fluid.
This device replaces a manual friction clutch and allows the vehicle to come to a standstill without stalling. When the engine transfers power to the torque converter pump, the pump converts that power into transmission oil that drives the torque converter turbine.
This device increases the power of the fluid and transfers even more power back to the turbine, creating a vortex force rotation that rotates the turbine and attached central shaft. The force generated by this rotation is then transmitted from the shaft to the first planetary gear set of the transmission.
This type of transmission has what is known as hydraulic control. The transmission oil is pressurized by an oil pump, which can change the speed depending on the vehicle speed, the tire revolutions per minute and other factors.
The gear pump is located between the planetary gear set and the torque converter, where it draws transmission oil from a sump and pressurizes it. The pump inlet leads directly to the torque converter housing, which is attached to the flexplate of the engine. If the engine is not running, the transmission does not have the oil pressure required to operate and therefore the vehicle cannot be started.
The planetary gear train is a mechanical system in which the gears are connected with a set of belts and clutches. When the driver changes gear, the belts hold one gear still while rotating another to transfer torque from the engine and increase or decrease gear.
The various gears are sometimes referred to as the sun gear, ring gear, and planet gear. The arrangement of the gears determines how much power flows when shifting from one gear to the other and to the vehicle’s drive train.
The gears of an automatic transmission include the following:
When you switch your vehicle to drive mode, switch on all available forward gears. This means that the transmission can move between its entire gear range if necessary. Six-speed automatic transmissions are the most common number of gears, but older vehicles and entry-level compacts may still have four or five automatic transmissions.
Third gear either blocks the transmission in third gear or limits it to first, second and third gear ratios. This provides the power and traction needed to either go uphill or downhill, or to pull a boat, RV, or trailer. When the engine reaches a certain number of revolutions per minute (RPM), most vehicles automatically shift into third gear to prevent damage to the engine.
The second gear either blocks the transmission in second gear or limits it to the first and second gear ratios. This equipment is ideal for riding uphill and downhill in slippery conditions, as well as riding in ice, snow and other poor weather conditions.
First gear is used when you want to lock the transmission in first gear. However, some vehicles automatically turn this gear off to protect the engine at a certain speed. Like second and third gear, this gear is best for towing, going up or down hills, and when driving in slippery, icy conditions.
Some of the most commonly used gearboxes in this category include:
The automated manual transmission (AMT) or semi-automatic transmission is essentially not an automatic or clutch less transmission, but rather a manual transmission that makes it easy to change gear without having to press the clutch.
The mechanism of this type of gear unit involves the use of two key parts – a hydraulic actuator system and an electronic control unit that engages and disengages the clutch while shifting is in progress. Basically, it’s just a kit that can be added to any regular manual transmission, making it a cost-effective solution for automakers.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the most unique clutch less transmission compared to the others mentioned above. Mind you, it’s not the best, it’s just the most unique, and I’m saying this because while other gear units have a certain number of gears that need to be upshifted to keep accelerating, a CVT unit doesn’t have any other gears like these.
Typically, the number of gears in a transmission system, also known as speed, has a finite number of gear ratios distributed across each gear. So, to go faster, you have to shift past a point. The CVT, on the other hand, has a special gear that is variable in all driving situations and can be easily changed over a continuous range of effective gear ratios.
This allows you to control the engine speed or RPM to accelerate or decelerate based on your throttle action. A CVT transmission is also primarily used in two-wheelers, especially scooters, where acceleration and braking are key. Some cars also get the paddle shifters to make things easier for drivers.
A dual clutch transmission (DCT) works on similar principles to an AMT, but as the name suggests, a DCT transmission uses two clutches instead of one. One each for odd and even gear sets, which makes it more efficient than an AMT.
Simply put, a DCT transmission is more like two manual transmissions contained in a single housing. It works like this: A clutch is in an odd numbered gear while the computer works out which even numbered gear you need next. The second clutch is ready to engage that gear and simply shift the clutches at the right time.
Like every standard automatic transmission, a DCT unit also has a simple P, R, N and D gear selector and no clutch pedal. It shifts independently or can be controlled manually using a paddle shift lever or a separate gate on the gearbox.
As the name suggests, an automatic transmission is a fully automatic transmission that can change gear ratios while driving and frees the driver from having to shift gears manually. An automatic transmission consists of three main components: fluid / hydraulic clutch, planetary gear train and hydraulic control.
A fluid / hydraulic clutch works similarly to a clutch in a manual transmission that changes gear by locking and unlocking a planetary gear system. The torque converter is a well-known hydraulic clutch or fluid coupling that is used in number cars with powerful engines.
The second important part of an automatic transmission is the planetary gear train, a system that provides the various gear ratios and changes the speed of the output shaft depending on which planet gears are locked.
The third important component used in an automatic transmission is the hydraulic control, which is very similar to a fluid coupling but is typically a gear pump mounted between the torque converter and the planetary gear set and controls various clutches and belts that control the speed of the output depending on change the driving condition of the vehicle.
The disadvantages compared to the manual transmission are the higher space requirement and the higher weight. Compared to the automatic torque converter transmission, the worse starting comfort and the higher wear are the main drawbacks.
An automatic transmission is a multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that do not require any driver input to change gears under normal driving conditions. The most common type of automatic transmission is the hydraulic automatic, which uses a planetary gearset, hydraulic controls, and torque convertor.
The most common type of automatic transmission uses hydraulic power to shift gears. According to How Stuff Works, this device combines a torque or fluid coupling converter with gearsets that provide the desired range of gears for the vehicle.
Some of the most commonly used gearboxes in this category include:
Parts of an Automatic Transmission:
Automatic transmission is a system in a vehicle that changes gears at different speeds without direct control by the driver I can’t drive her car because it has a manual transmission instead of an automatic transmission.
Transmissions, or gearboxes, help control a car’s speed and torque (rotational force). The higher the speed, the higher the gear needed. Automatic cars shift gears on their own, while manual cars require you to shift gears with the stick shift.
An automatic car is certainly easier to drive in a stop and go traffic since it does not require too much driver input. A manual car can be cumbersome in chaotic traffic and requires a lot of driver input. However, if you want to decide which gear the car should be driven to, the manual car is a better option.
Automatic transmission is one most people are familiar with. The automatic transmission allows the vehicle to change to different gears on its own rather than the drivers making the adjustments. Manual is where that transmission relies on the drivers to use the clutch to accelerate.
Manual cars also go faster than automatic. This can be fun, sure, but can also lead to more tickets and accidents. Manual transmissions are also a lot less complicated than automatics and are therefore less expensive to repair. But easy to fix does not mean easy to learn.
Disadvantages of automatic transmissions system: Maintenance is costly. The additional gear train is required for the reverse condition. Fuel consumption is also higher than a manual transmission. Automatic transmission consumes 10% more than a manual transmission.
The numbers one two and three indicate different gears. FIRST is the slowest. The second is a little faster, and the third is faster yet. D is for DRIVE and the one you should be using most of the time.
When you change gear, you take one hand off the steering wheel. In an automatic you can keep both hands on the wheel, meaning you have more control over your car, which is particularly important when you have to react quickly.
The “N” is an indicator that your automatic transmission is in NEUTRAL or a free-spinning mode. This setting releases the gear(s) (forward and reverse) and allows the tires to spin freely. Most people do not use the N setting unless their car engine will not start and they need to push it or have the vehicle towed.
Negotiating inclines. If you stay in an area that has a lot of inclines, then automatics can be your best buddy. Automatics come with a hill-hold that stops the vehicle from rolling backward if you come to a complete halt on an incline.
No, we won’t suggest you to go for an automatic transmission vehicle for such regions. In an automatic transmission vehicle, the change of gear takes place according to the sets of RPMs and in hilly regions, the car needs to keep at high RPS to get better results.
An automatic transmission car actually makes a lot of sense for all those who have long commutes and often have to drive through a lot of congestion. Not having to use the clutch and the gear lever frequently reduces the driver fatigue to a lot of extents.
Better fuel efficiency — Overall, manual transmission engines are less complex, weigh less, and have more gears than automatics. The end result is that you’ll end up getting more kilometers out of the petrol you pump in than you would with an automatic.
Traditionally, automatics could use up to 10% more fuel than their manual equivalent. With modern developments in automatic transmissions and variations such as the “automated manual” now being offered on many contemporary models, there is often little to choose between the two as far as fuel consumption is concerned.
Cheaper – Manual transmissions have historically been cheaper than their automatic counterparts. A car of the same make and model with an automatic transmission can cost $1000 more than a manual transmission. Manual transmissions have fewer complicated parts that are easier to produce, making them less costly for you.
AMTs are not fuel-efficient and are costlier to maintain. In fact, there have been cases of AMT variants being even more fuel-efficient than their manual counterparts. Even the recently launched Nexon AMT and Vitara Brazza AMT are as fuel-efficient as their Manual Transmission equipped variants.
Longevity. In the all-critical area of longevity, manual cars owners come out on top. When compared with their automatic cousins, most cars with manual transmission tend to last longer – a length of time that can sometimes translate to years.
Neutral isn’t necessarily a gear; it’s a state when no gear is engaged on the vehicle. In an automatic transmission, the wheels continue to spin independently of the gas pedal, so the car keeps moving.
“S” is for sport. If you’re driving on twisty country roads and want to keep the RPM up as you wind through corners, the “S” position is where you want to be. In “S”, the transmission holds lower gears longer for more power as you come out of the curves.
Yes, you can switch gears from D to D3 while driving an automatic transmission car. However, it would be best to slow down a bit before switching down from D to D3 if you approach a hill.
More expensive to buy: The main disadvantage of automatics is that they generally cost more to buy than their manual counterparts, both new and second-hand, so they’re not ideal if you’re on a budget. Boring to drive: Some drivers find that automatics take the fun out of driving.
