Standard/Automatic Transmission Comparison
In today's modern vehicles, the automatic transmission has become a vital part of the powertrain. Automatic transmissions provide overall better fuel economy and efficiency while adapting to changing road conditions and driving habits. Standard transmissions offer more driver interaction with the vehicle, however automatic transmissions reduce driver fatigue and increase safety by shifting automatically. Automatic transmissions also offer improved driveability in stop and go traffic. If there is a disadvantage to an automatic transmission, it would be complexity and cost of manufacturing.
- Drive torque must be interrupted to change gears.
- Higher loads on driveline from abrupt clutch application.
- Clutch must be disengaged when vehicle is stopped to prevent stalling.
- High radial loads on housing.
- Gear set design requires more space than planetary type.
- Requires some Maintenance (clutch).
- Requires driver intervention for shifting.
- Gear teeth are in constant mesh due to planetary design.
- Smoother application of drive torque reduces loads on driveline.
- Due to fluid coupling in the torque converter, transmission can stay in gear when vehicle is stopped.
- Minimal radial loads on housing.
- Compact design of gear set. Space requirement is minimized.
- Maintenance free operation. (Lifetime fluid and no clutch).
- Automatic shifting reduces driver fatigue and increases safety.