Motorists often and generally take their automotive transmissions for granted. Transmissions, whether automatic or manual, seem to work almost always and certainly reliably with few complaints. Without a doubt, the drive train of any vehicle is not only essential for the movement of the vehicle on roads and highways. Without its reliable and dependable transmission, your vehicle would simply be stuck in one place, unable to move the wheels, even if your engine and engine were in 100% optimal condition and your gas tank was full of fuel. Automatic transmissions are more popular and common due to their ease of use. Still, manual transmissions – the older type with a clutch arrangement certainly offers a lot more flexibility and control to the driver, uses less gas, and is downright fun to drive. How do automotive transmissions work and what are their fundamentals?
In general, it can be simplified that any automotive transmission, be it for a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, or even road tractor, is little more than a gearbox. Transmissions vary the speed and torque of the shaft in relation to the speed and torque of your engine. Getting the car moving from a complete stop requires the most torque or turning power. This is labeled “first” or “low gear.”
Once the vehicle is in motion, less torque is required to keep it moving. Therefore, the transmission can be shifted into gears, providing lower torque and higher speed: second, third, fourth and sometimes fifth gear, and now in more current and updated models, one more gear that saves fuel: overdrive mode.
There are two other positions of an automotive transmission: reverse gear to reverse and neutral mode or gear selection, for complete decoupling of the engine from the driveshaft and the rear wheels.
Even though most motorists rarely think about their automatic transmission in any shape or form and continue to function endlessly, routine maintenance can certainly extend the life and reliability of your transmission, whether automatic or standard. Transmission repair costs are quite high. To begin with, the unit must be removed from the vehicle. Especially on newer front-drive models this is difficult due to the small, complex, and generally quite expensive workspaces involved.
Manual transmissions also need routine service, maintenance, and inspections.
Vehicles last much longer now. It wasn’t long ago that the average working range of a “smaller” car with a 4-cylinder engine was expected to be 40,000 miles. Now motorists often expect to triple that distance from a 4-cylinder car. So, take the time, care, attention and detail to extend the life of your cars transmission. Changing the automatic transmission fluid every two years is a good start for this matter. In the same way and in the same way, do not forget to change the oil in the gearbox of your manual transmissions. Like motor oil, metal chips and dirt can accumulate in manual transmission gearbox oil. It is actually quite a simple and easy matter and procedure for your mechanic or service department to perform at the service department of your local trusted car dealer.
Take care of your car transmission and it will serve you well for many years and miles.
