Here’s A Quick Way To Know What An Automatic Transmission Actually Does
Keywords: transmission, auto, car, engine
Most cars sold in the United States since the 1950s have been equipped with an automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions are great for those of us that just want to drive. Period. They are a mystery to most of us, and we’ve always relied on the competence of the manufacturer that it would work without a hitch. If the transmission failed, we took it to our friendly, neighborhood mechanic and hoped that it could be repaired.
Performance enthusiasts are all about the fact that auto transmissions have gotten smaller, generate more speeds and that they now require greater gear precision. For the non-enthusiast, it’s all Greek-speak. They might be cognizant of the fact that there are two types of transmissions, and that they are manual or automatic transmissions. That’s about it.
Automatic transmissions allow you to switch gears just like manual transmissions. An automatic transmission is a car’s gearbox changing gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves.
For the rest of us, a simple explanation or two might be in order. The gear ratio is the relationship between the number of turns made by a driving gear to complete one full turn of the driven gear, and the gear box is your transmission.
The primary job of an automatic transmission is to allow the engine to operate and control a range of speeds while providing a wide range of output speeds. It uses something called a planetary gearset to accomplish this, and without it, your car would be limited to only one gear ratio or gear that would need to be set to the drivers desired top speed. The gear would need to be permanently set and subsequent efficiency would be dramatically diminished as a result. For instance, if you wanted to go 75 miles an hour, you’d need to have your car permanently set in third gear even when you were going at 10 miles an hour.
There are some obvious differences between a car with an automatic transmission and a manual transmission model. There is no clutch or third pedal, just gas and brake, no gear shift and once you put in drive, everything is automatic. It could be considered boring to manual transmission drivers, but to automatic drivers, manual transmissions are a pain if not impossible to master.
Nowadays, car manufacturers have taking the automatic transmission one step farther in that the engine and transmission management computers are now integrated, It has allowed the manufacturer to include refinements like retarding the ignition during gear changes to give smoother movement. Up until recently automatic transmissions have had a set selection of possible gear ranges. Recently manufacturers have begun to make continuously variable transmissions or CVTs. These can change the ratios over a range rather than between set gear ratios.
Automatic versus manual transmissions is also geographic. There are more automatic transmission drivers on the East and West Coast than in the heartland.
On the whole, it’s a matter of taste. Automatic transmissions get worst gas mileage, and manual transmission replacement is supposed to be cheaper overall. But even that is now a grey area. There are pros and cons on each side, but it basically comes down to whether you like tea or coffee. Manual or auto. It’s more about choice than necessity nowadays.
Alex Olson is a real expert when it comes to automotive issues. She will provide you with all necessary information about auto transmission and will give you an extensive insight, reviews, tips, guides and recommendations on this item at www.autotransmissionshelp.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
What Types Of Auto Warranties Are Available (1)
You want to make sure that you think about all of these things and find out all you can about each different auto warranty so that you can make the right decision on the best one for your car.
Here Are Some Tips On Buying A New Vehicle (2)
Whatever you do, always read the fine print of any contract before signing it. Ask a bazillion questions about what certain phrases mean if you do not understand something.
Going Topless In The Best Possible Taste (3)
Keywords: BMW, Coupe, Cooper A driver hired by the UN to rescue a wounded war photographer from hostile territory drives through a hail of bullets in an attempt to get his charge safely to the border.
Which Type Of Helmet Will Save Your Head (4)
You entire face is exposed and should you fall, you may have to fall directly on top of your head to escape serious injuries. Fall on the side and you may become an organ donor, with this type of helmet.
Why Do People Invest So Much In Custom Wheels For Their Automobile? (5)
One thing that you need to keep in mind is not to go over the weight the original wheels were designed for or buy using gravity cast aluminum wheels because they tend to bend easily.
Give Your Car A Health Check (6)
The next basic check you should make is the condition of your tires. Analyze the length of the tread on the tires, and indeed the pressure, increasing where necessary.
How To Find The Best Interest Rate Car Loans (7)
A car loan specialist website is your best option to find the cheapest car loan rates available. You will be driving with the best loan options available. Finance companies are competing for your business.
How The New Hybrid Cars Are Already Evolving (8)
There are even some hybrid cars which will run only in electric mode. With the older models of hybrid cars, there used to be a requirement that you plugged in the car every now and then so that you could be charged the electric battery.
A Limousine For The Prom (9)
You should also understand that charges may apply if the limo is left sitting on the parking lot rather than dropping them off and returning later to pick them up.
An Insider Look At Auto Dealerships (10)
The dealers want the salesperson to control the sale and bring you inside before you leave. Indeed there are many dealers who will tell the salesperson that if they do not bring the prospect in to the dealership and allow a manager to speak to them that they will be fired.
How Do You Decide On The Proper Tires To Equip Your Hybrid Car? (11)
They increase your gas mileage. Since the tires are custom fitted for each car, the car runs smoothly and uses gas more efficiently. What are the Drawbacks of using these Tires?
SUV Rollover Deaths (12)
Tim Dillard is a marketing executive who has worked with some of the largest law firms in America. Dillard is currently the president of Dillard Local Branding (www.dlbllc.com) a Houston-based web design, Internet marketing and search engine marketing firm.
A Limousine For Your Wedding Day (13)
The venue may have limited parking and trying to park a large number of vehicles would be impossible. Another problem may be that some of your guests, especially those from out of town, may not be able to find their way to the venue and may not arrive in time for the first toast.
A Look At Some Of The More Promising Alternative Fuels (14)
As of now, the hybrid vehicle is probably your best bet as far as fuel efficiency, and fuel alternative. Unfortunately, it doesn't cure us of our dependency on gas.
How To Avoid Getting Burned On Your Used Sports Car Purchase (15)
Having a good general knowledge about the car in question is something you should strive for. The research you should have done to this point will give you a good base to work with as you move into the next step of thoroughly investigating the exact car you are interested in buying.
If You Want To Save Money On Your Purchase Of Radar Detectors Consider Buying Online (16)
Thus the average consumer with little time to search might want to utilize one of these dealers instead of spending hours trying to find a specialized vendor. Beware of scams as you look to purchase your new radar.
Understanding Local Car Auctions (17)
What you see is what you get is the theory behind car auctions. So you should have some knowledge and experience with motor vehicles before you attempt going to a car auction let alone buying one.
How To Choose The Best Tire For Your Hybrid Car (18)
One benefit of these innovative tires is that they minimize the energy used by the tire. Tires use energy as heat in three different locations. First, there is heat between the tire and the road.
Is Buying A Used Car A Smart Move Or A Dumb Mistake (19)
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get quality car care products from www.5starshine.com
How To Save Yourself A Ton Of Money By Maintaining Your Car Properly (20)
Tires should be checked on a regular basis to ensure the pressure level is appropriate and that wear and tear is minimal. It's recommended that tire pressure be checked once a month to avoid rolling resistance, a common problem that occurs when tires aren't inflated with enough air.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Controversy Surrounding The Death Of Ayrton Senna (1)
BBC commentator Murray Walker described May 1 1994 as "the blackest day for Grand Prix racing". Shaun Parker follows the latest developments in F1. To find out about F1 merchandise see www.official-merchandise.com
Why Bumper Stickers Remain A Popular Way To Get Your Point Across (2)
Unfortunately, the stickers do look cheap. In any good bumper sticker, the paper quality should be excellent. The printer must be able to handle top quality graphics, a large variety of fonts, and a number of ink colors.
Car Shows Are Great But Should You Buy A Vehicle At A Car Show? (3)
There are just so many things that can go wrong, the vehicle can break down right after they sold it to you and you will have no idea what the problem is.
How To Save On Gas Usage As Gas Prices Keep Going Higher (4)
Another maintenance item that contributes to bad fuel economy is dirty air filters which can reduce your mileage by ten percent or more. You need to avoid jackrabbit starts and stops as well, keeping a steady rate of speed when driving can help you avoid wasting as much as a third of the fuel you are using.
How To Get Your Car In Shape For Summer (5)
Get plenty of windshield washer solvent. We have a tendency to use a lot of this in the winter, so your fluids may be low. Tires should be rotated every 5000 miles or so.
Car Donation - What You Must Know About Choosing The Best Charity Car Donation Program (6)
There are a few exceptions in the new tax law regarding the fair market value section, for example, you may base your deduction on the vehicle's fair market value if the charity sells it to a needy individual at a discounted price or if the charity uses the car as part of its mission rather than selling it to another.
Winterizing Your Motorhome (7)
All you have to do is insert the valve after you detach the inlet line from the water pressure pump. Any installation kit you buy should come with a graphic showing you the process.
Getting Your Hauling Done With A Pickup Truck (8)
This vehicle has become popular among today's car owners for its domestic and commercial utility and flexibility. Pickup trucks have commercial features like a separate cabin and compartment cargo bed or the rear load area.
Low Profile Tires - For Looks Or Performance Or Both (9)
Just about everyone today drives on straight highways and they don't require the additional cornering force that low profile tires provide. However, if you reside in a region that has a lot of tight turns and necessitates enhanced control, low profile tires could just be what you are looking for in tire load capacity and handling features of your vehicle.
How To Build Your Own Sports Car That Will Actually Run (10)
If you build one of these right it will be very hard for the average person to be able to tell that yours isn't the real deal. These clones of the old muscle car have nearly universal appeal and will turn heads everywhere you go.
GPS Is The Perfect Automobile Accessory (11)
commercial GPS equipment and service industry that leads the world. Augmentations to enhance basic GPS services could further enlarge these civil and commercial markets. GPS is managed by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee, supported by the PNT Executive Secretariat.
How To Avoid The High Pressure Tactics Of Car Salesmen (12)
I personally would ask to see the appraisal. If they won't show it to you get up and leave. Don't let your self get worked by one the "selling systems" out there.
How To Avoid Being Stuck With A Flood Damaged Sports Cars (13)
So if you are buying or are going to buy a sports car you will need to know what to look for in signs of flooding. The first thing you should do is have it Carfax certified so that you will know exactly what is wrong with it and such.
How To Change A Tire In 7 Steps (14)
7) After you are done changing the tire, put your tools back in their proper place and drive to the nearest service station as soon as possible to have your flat tire repaired and reinstalled (if applicable).
Show Me The Money - Where The Profit Is In New Cars (15)
They will make as much money on you as they possibly can. For example, they may have a "buy rate" from a lender of 6% for someone with excellent credit yet they will charge you 9%.
Buying Cars From Auto Auction (16)
The bidding in such auctions starts from a very low price. About the Author: Hans Hasselfors is the founder of www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com. You may find varied car auction articles in our article directory.
Watch Out For Big Trucks (17)
Another big issue and one that I personally get aggravated with is that of excessive spray from the tires of these large vehicles in rain, snow, and slush. I live in Florida and I can tell you that when it is raining traveling on the major highways used by large semi trucks is extremely dangerous and at times you can see nothing due to all of the spray from the big trucks.
BMW Dealerships In Chicago - Diverse Choice And Competition (18)
Obviously, where the dealership is located can also be a key deciding factor in which BMW Chicago dealership you choose to visit. If you are searching for a new car, going to more than one BMW Chicago dealer is likely to be an advantage.
The Latest In Hybrid Happenings (19)
One of the most popular reasons consumers love hybrids is because they save them hundreds of dollars a year in gasoline purchases. Hybrids are not only easy on the pocketbook, but also extremely easy on the environment.
How To Easily Find The Right Electric Scooter For Your Individual Situation (20)
Stowing the scooter no longer bothers owners either since the inception of the folding scooter. A person can drive his scooter to work and then stash it in his closet or under his desk.
Permalink to Here’s A Quick Way To Know What An Automatic Transmission Actually Does