Types of Transmission
Types of Transmission
Types of Transmission
What is Transmission?
The transmission system is one of the most basic and important parts of a vehicle. You
can define it like this, it transfers power from the engine to the wheels. Transmission
simply refers to the gearbox, which uses gears and gear trains to provide speed and
torque.
It is one of the most complex components of your vehicle consisting of a series of gears
(gearbox). It is primarily responsible for making sure the wheels get the right amount of
power so that they can operate at a certain speed.
There are many types of car transmissions. The most common are automatic, while
manual transmissions in stick-shift cars require the driver to complete additional steps
to effectively operate the vehicle. Let's know the functions of a transmission system.
Read Also: What Are Different Types of Engine Used In Vehicles? with (PDF)
Once you start your car and reach your destination, now you have to stop, in this
scenario, the transmission disconnects the engine from the drive wheels so that the
engine can remain idling when the wheels are not in motion.
The transmission can also provide more responsive acceleration from a stop and
enables the engine to run more slowly while the vehicle is running at a normal speed.
So, now let's see what are the different types of transmission systems available.
Types of Transmission
Following are the types of transmission used in automobile vehicles:
1. Manual Transmission
2. Intelligent manual transmission (IMT)
3. Automated manual transmission (AMT)
4. Automatic transmission (AT)
5. Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
6. Semi-automatic transmission
TheEngineersPost.com Page 1
Types of Transmission
7. Dual-clutch transmission
8. Sequential transmission
9. Torque converter transmission
10. Tiptronic transmission
Read Also: What are the Types of Cooling System In Automobile? PDF
1. Manual Transmission
A manual transmission is a system that requires the driver to manually select a gear by
operating a gear stick and clutch to change gears. This transmission system is consists of
a set of gears (different sizes) along with a pair of shafts.
The input shaft is connected to the engine and the output shaft is continuously coupled
to the input shaft and consists of several gears. In this, the driver has to select gears
manually and engage or disengage the clutch pedal.
This transmission uses a flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch to engage and disengage
the engine from the transmission. The flywheel and pressure plate are attached to the
engine and the clutch is mounted between them.
The word push in clutch means to release the pressure plate which detaches the clutch
from the engine every time you do a shift, you have to push in the clutch first.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 2
Types of Transmission
3. These are much more reliable and easier to service than other types.
Simply and quite accurately put the iMT is a clutchless manual transmission. It is
similar to a manual gearbox, it has gears and a gear lever. The driver almost feels like an
automatic car as the iMT doesn't have a clutch pedal, but just a brake and an accelerator
pedal.
In situations like downhill or overtaking, you have complete control over the gearbox
and that is certainly without the headache of operating the clutch pedal. In this types of
transmission system, you don't need to lift the accelerator while shifting gears, if you
do, it will help things run smoothly.
The iMT transmission system cannot automatically shift gears. On the other hand with
an IMT car compared to a manual transmission car, fuel efficiency and mileage are
subjective and dependent on the driving style of the driver.
Advantages of iMT
1. By using IMT Car, you can have complete control over what gear your car is in
and you won't have to rely on software.
2. The cost of an iMT is also closer to that of a regular manual transmission.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 3
Types of Transmission
3. With IMT, the driver gets relief from a clutch operation, especially in city stop-go
traffic.
Disadvantages of iMT
1. In IMT, gear shifts are not smooth as the system relies on a clutch which has to be
modulated by an actuator.
A car with an AMT does not have a clutch pedal, instead, only the accelerator and brake
pedal. This transmission also allows manual gear shift when needed. The AMT
transmission uses hydraulics and a computer connected to the car's Electronic Control
Unit (ECU).
The gear shift patterns are pre-programmed on this unit and work mainly on the preset
RPM range. Once the system calculates maximum RPMs the ECU engages the actuators
which operate the clutch and gearbox. The car uses AMT is Maruti Suzuki Alto,
Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, and more.
Advantages of AMT
TheEngineersPost.com Page 4
Types of Transmission
2. AMT is more fuel-efficient, thus allowing more energy to flow to the wheels than
automatic transmission.
3. You can drive it however you want, which means most AMT equipped cars also
come with the manual mode.
Disadvantages of AMT
1. However, since AMTs depend on predetermined RPM levels, they can cause
unplanned changes during overtaking which can be troublesome.
2. Higher space requirement and more weight than a manual transmission.
The engine is connected to a torque converter which is then connected to a gear system
and then to the transmission. Inside the torque converter, some parts work in tandem
with each other. The outermost part houses the flywheel which spins the whole
structure.
The rotation pushes the fluid out of the pump at high speed, causing the turbine to spin.
The fluid continues to circulate in the two sections separately and through the stator.
The turbine is connected to the shaft which connects to the rest of the system and then
energy is transferred to the gear system.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 5
Types of Transmission
Advantages of AT
Disadvantages of AT
These are pulley-based transmissions primarily used in small vehicles with smaller
engines and they can change gears seamlessly through a constant gear ratio. This is in
opposition to other transmissions that offer a limited number of gear ratios in fixed
stages.
The CVT uses two pulleys between which a steel belt runs. To continuously change its
gear ratio, the CVT simultaneously adjusts the diameter of the "drive pulley" which
transmits torque from the engine, and the "drive pulley" which transfers torque to the
wheels.
The width of these pulleys changes depending on the power required as one gets bigger
and the other gets smaller. Hence this allows delivering strong and smooth acceleration.
Currently, the use of CVTs in their cars includes Toyota, Nissan, and Honda.
Advantages of CVT
1. They can provide you a smoothest ride because it eliminates feeling of shifting.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 6
Types of Transmission
Disadvantages of CVT
#6 Semi-automatic Transmission
It can also provide you with how to control the gears as there is a selection of both
manual and automatic options. The kinetic energy produced by the engine helps the
wheels spin, while gear ratios control how fast or slow your wheels spin.
Importantly, semi-automatics do not have a clutch pedal. Instead, the car's CPU and
sensors operate the clutch when the driver changes gears, as a result, semi-autos are
actually easier to drive. Semi-automatic transmission is commonly used in Hyundai
cars.
1. These are complex systems which means that objects are likely to fail.
2. These types of transmission system are expensive to maintain compared to
manual transmission.
3. Very expensive to repair often it's more cost-effective to just replace.
#7 Dual-clutch Transmission
TheEngineersPost.com Page 7
Types of Transmission
This transmission employs two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets which
allow for especially quick shifts. The design is often similar to two separate manual
transmissions, in that their respective clutches are within a housing, and operate as a
single unit.
The DCT operates like an automatic transmission, requiring no driver input to change
gears. This type of transmission can generally be operated in fully automatic mode or
can be moved manually with the pedals on the steering wheel.
Currently, these gearboxes are mainly found on race cars and high-end sports cars and
they are quite expensive.
1. DCTs offer better fuel economy and better performance than automatic
transmissions.
2. Since they shift smoothly and with a high degree of accuracy, they are often
preferred in the field of performance driving.
#8 Sequential Transmission
TheEngineersPost.com Page 8
Types of Transmission
A sequential manual transmission allows you to select either the next gear (e.g., shifting
from first gear to second gear) or the previous gear (e.g., shifting from third gear to
second gear), operated through electronic pedals mounted on the rear of the steering
wheel.
In the vehicle with a sequential gearbox, you simply hit a lever or pedal to click through
each gear, whether you're up-shifting or down-shifting. In some vehicles, there is an
actual lever that the driver either pushes forward or pulls backward to shift up or
down.
1. One disadvantage of a sequential gearbox is that you cannot "skip the shift" - i.e.
change gears non-sequentially.
2. Going again after a panic stop can be a bit difficult as they do not like to shift
easily while stopping.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 9
Types of Transmission
Torque converter transmission is one of the oldest types of automatic transmission. The
first torque converters weren't designed for any sort of performance or fuel efficiency.
But today's torque converters are quite responsive and are suitable for city or highway
driving.
The casing attaches to the flywheel, rotating at the same speed as the crankshaft within
the turbine's housing. Finally, the impeller or centrifugal pump drives transmission
fluid to the turbine fins which in turn spins or transmits torque to the transmission. The
torque converter is used in the vehicle which is provided with automatic transmission.
The cars offered with Torque Converter are Hyundai Creta AT, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz AT,
etc.
1. The torque converter transmission are less fuel efficient compared to manual
transmission or CVT.
2. These types of transmission system require higher cost to install.
Read Also: 9 Different Types of Clutches and How they Work? [PDF]
TheEngineersPost.com Page 10
Types of Transmission
1. Driving a car with a Tiptronic transmission allows you more control when you
change gears.
2. When driving up or down a steep hill, you can manually change gears to allow
for a smoother and safer ride.
3. Automatic shifting in manual mode also assists the driver by delaying the engine
in case of down-shift failure.
1. The Tiptronic system uses a torque converter instead of the regular clutch
mechanism, this can result in some degree of power loss.
2. Since in manual mode, the ECU shifts gears, there is a slight delay during the
shift, which becomes evident in more aggressive driving.
Wrapping Up It
TheEngineersPost.com Page 11
Types of Transmission
As I already said, the function of any transmission is to transfer engine power to the
driveshaft and a differential to turn the wheels. When buying a vehicle, knowing about
the different types of transmission systems can help you to choose as your comfort of
driving.
1. How a car Suspension System works? Parts & Types (Complete Guide) with PDF
2. Everything you need to know about the Types of Axles [with Pictures]
3. What are the different types of ignition system used in I.C. engine?
TheEngineersPost.com Page 12