Motorists often and often 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 dependable and dependable transmission, your vehicle would simply be stuck in one place, unable to move its wheels at all, even if its motor and engine were at 100% top condition and its gas tank 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 basics?
In general, it can be simplified that any automotive transmission, whether for car, truck, sport utility vehicle, or even highway tractor, is little more than a gearbox. Transmissions vary the speed and torque of the shaft relative to the speed and torque of its motor. 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 running, less torque is required to keep it moving. Thus, 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 up-to-date car models, a More fuel-saving gear: overdrive mode.
There are two other positions of an automotive transmission: reverse to go backwards and neutral mode, or gear selection, to completely decouple the engine from the driveshaft and rear wheels.
Although most motorists rarely think of their automatic transmission in any way and run it endlessly, routine maintenance can certainly extend the life and reliability of your transmission, whether it’s an automatic or standard type. Transmission repair costs are quite high. To begin with, the unit must be removed from the vehicle. Especially on the newer front-wheel drive models this is difficult due to the small workspaces involved, complex and generally quite expensive.
Manual transmissions also need routine service, maintenance and inspections.
Vehicles last much longer now. Not long ago, the average working life of a “smaller” car with a 4-cylinder engine was expected to be 40,000 miles. Now motorists often expect triple that distance from a car with a 4-cylinder engine. 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 form do not forget to change the oil in the gearbox of your manual transmission. Just like motor oil, metal shavings and dirt can build up in your manual transmission’s gearbox oil. It is actually a fairly simple and easy matter and procedure to be performed by your mechanic or service department at the service department of your trusted local car dealer.
Take care of your cars transmission and it will serve you well for many years and miles.