Every automobile contains a transmission system. The purpose of the transmission is basically to give you control over the engine’s power. As the engine generates its power through the internal combustion process, the transmission converts it into a rotational power called torque. The torque is transmitted to the front or rear axles, which causes the wheels to rotate. This is how the vehicle moves.
The transmission can generate torque because it contains toothed gears which connect with one another. There are several gears of different sizes and numbers of teeth in a transmission system. When the vehicle travels at a certain speed, the gears need to be changed to accommodate it. The way you change the gears depends on the type of transmission system you have. Everyone has their own preference as to the best way to change gears.
The three main types of transmissions are automatic, manual, and semi-automatic. Manual requires you to use a clutch and stick to change gears, which is a hassle for drivers who don’t want to deal with this inconvenience. As an alternative, the two more convenient choices are automatic and semi-automatic. They may not be as good on gas mileage as a manual vehicle, but they have their own unique pros and cons. If you find the pros to outweigh the cons on one particular transmission, then you should look for it in your next vehicle purchase.
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Automatic Transmission
An automatic transmission vehicle is the easiest to drive. It is recommended for anyone who drives frequently in stop-and-go traffic. The best thing about an automatic transmission is that it doesn’t require you to manually change gears. Instead, this transmission will automatically change gears for you as you’re driving at various speeds. That way, all your attention can be focused on the road and your steering.
Automatic transmissions provide a smooth and convenient driving experience. They’re even suitable for driving up inclined roads without any hassle. You won’t have any distractions or worries about when it is appropriate to change gears as you’re driving. With all this convenience, the resale value of an automatic transmission vehicle is higher than any other transmission. Buyers demand automatic transmissions the most.
The major downside to an automatic transmission vehicle is the expense involved. The purchase price of an automatic vehicle is much higher than the price of a manual or semi-automatic vehicle. But that’s not the only reason an automatic is more expensive to use. The gearbox of this transmission is also costlier to repair as well. If you start having transmission problems, then you’ll be spending a lot of money on repairs.
Lastly, automatic vehicles consume more gasoline. This decreases fuel efficiency and increases the fuel expense of your vehicle.
Semi-Automatic Transmission
A semi-automatic transmission is like a hybrid of a manual and automatic. Imagine a manual transmission vehicle without a clutch to disengage the engine. Instead of a clutch, a semi-automatic transmission uses electronic sensors and processors to disengage the engine for you automatically. All you need to do is worry about shifting gears at the appropriate time. Once you do, the clutch disengages the engine for you when needed.
The main benefit of a semi-automatic transmission is that it makes shifting gears much smoother and precise. Someone just learning to drive a manual vehicle may benefit from training with a semi-automatic vehicle first. There is still a manual gearbox in a semi-automatic, so a new driver can learn about gear shifting at the right times. They just don’t need to worry about the clutch.
Unfortunately, semi-automatics tend to malfunction more frequently. You’ll be spending a lot of money on repairs, especially since the electronic components of these vehicles are quite complex to repair. Not only that, but the cost of a semi-automatic vehicle is more than the cost of a manual vehicle.
