Car gearbox is an extremely important part of the vehicle's transmission system. It acts as a "bridge" to transmit power from the engine to the wheels, helping the vehicle move and change speed.
According to the report “Situation of automobile use and maintenance in Vietnam” by the Ministry of Transport: “About 30% of traffic accidents are related to technical errors of automobiles, partly caused by gearbox problems”.
There are four main types of gearboxes commonly used today: manual gearbox (MT), automatic gearbox (AT), continuously variable transmission (CVT) and dual clutch gearbox (DCT). Each type of gearbox has its own structure, operating principle and advantages and disadvantages, suitable for different usage needs.
This article will analyze in detail the structure, operating principles, advantages and disadvantages and applications of each type of gearbox, and provide useful information on maintenance to help users have an overview and choose the type of gearbox that best suits their needs.
What is a car gearbox? A car gearbox is a complex mechanical assembly that converts torque from the engine and transmits it to the wheels. The operating principle of the gearbox is based on changing the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels, helping the car move at different speeds and overcome different terrains.
The four main types of gearboxes today include:
Manual transmission is the most common type of transmission in the world, especially in low-cost cars and commercial vehicles. The structure of a manual transmission is quite simple, including gears, shafts and synchronizers.
Manual transmissions use a disc-type friction clutch to disconnect the engine from the transmission when the driver presses the clutch pedal. The gears on the shafts are designed with different gear ratios, corresponding to gears from 1 to 5 or 6. The driver changes gears by moving the gear lever, causing the gears to mesh with each other according to the desired gear ratio.
Manual transmission has the advantages of low cost, high durability, fuel economy and realistic driving feeling, but the disadvantage is complicated operation and fatigue when driving in urban areas.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Manual transmissions are commonly used in trucks, pickup trucks, small cars and some sports cars.
Automatic transmissions are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and ease of use. The operating principle of automatic transmissions is based on the use of hydraulic oil and a torque converter to automatically change gears.
According to Global Market Insights Report, 2022, USA: The global automatic transmission market was valued at USD 101,65 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 155,15 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7%.
There are different types of automatic transmissions, including:
The hydraulic automatic transmission consists of a torque converter, a planetary gear assembly and a hydraulic control system.
Automatic transmission has the advantages of being easy to use, convenient and less tiring, but the disadvantages are high cost, high fuel consumption and unreal driving feeling.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Automatic transmissions are widely used in passenger cars, SUVs and luxury cars.
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) operates on the principle of belt and pulley transmission. The CVT transmission's gear ratio is continuously changed, helping the vehicle operate smoothly and save fuel.
A CVT consists of two variable-diameter pulleys and a belt (or chain) that connects the two pulleys. As the diameter of one pulley increases, the diameter of the other pulley decreases, creating a continuous change in the transmission ratio. The electronic control system adjusts the diameter of the pulleys based on vehicle speed and load.
The CVT has the advantage of smooth operation, fuel economy and environmental friendliness, but the disadvantage is that the driving feeling is less exciting, poor load capacity and low durability.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
CVT transmissions are commonly used in small cars, hybrid cars and some sedans.
A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is a hybrid of a manual and an automatic transmission. A DCT has two clutches, one for odd gears (1, 3, 5) and one for even gears (2, 4, 6).
Dual-clutch transmissions combine the efficiency of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic transmission, reducing fuel consumption by up to 10% compared to conventional automatic transmissions. Source: “International Journal of Automotive Engineering, 2023, UK”
The DCT uses two clutches to alternately engage the gear shafts. When the vehicle is in 1st gear, the odd-number clutch is engaged. At the same time, the even-number clutch is ready to shift into 2nd gear. When it is time to change gears, the two clutches engage simultaneously, making shifting quick and smooth.
Dual-clutch transmissions have the advantage of fast gear changes, fuel economy and a sporty driving feel. The disadvantages are high cost, complicated maintenance and jerkiness at low speeds.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
DCT gearboxes are commonly used for car lines: sports cars, luxury cars and some passenger cars.
Detailed comparison table of 4 types of car gearboxes: manual gearbox, automatic gearbox, continuously variable gearbox and dual clutch gearbox.
Criteria | Manual transmission (MT) | Automatic transmission (AT) | Continuously variable transmission (CVT) | Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) |
Structure | and | Complicated | Medium | Complicated |
Principle of operation | Gears, clutches | Hydraulic oil, torque converter | Belt, pulley | Two clutches |
Advantages | Cheap, durable, fuel efficient, realistic driving experience | Easy to use, convenient | Smooth, fuel efficient | Fast gear shifting, fuel economy, sporty driving feel |
Disadvantages | Complex and tiring operation | High cost, fuel consumption | Poor driving feel, poor load capacity | High cost, complicated maintenance |
Application | Trucks, pickups, compact cars, sports cars | Passenger cars, SUVs, luxury cars | Compact car, hybrid car, sedan | Sports cars, luxury cars, passenger cars |
Gearbox maintenance is one of the important factors to help prolong the life and ensure the performance of the vehicle.
The gearbox is a mechanical assembly that operates under harsh conditions, subject to friction and high temperatures. Regular maintenance helps lubricate the parts, prevent wear and damage, and ensure the gearbox operates stably and efficiently.
Car transmission maintenance requires attention to issues such as changing transmission oil, checking oil level, cleaning transmission oil filter and other important details.
When maintaining a car's gearbox, note:
Some Signs that your car's gearbox needs maintenance Common include: strange noises when shifting or operating, vehicle jerking, difficulty shifting gears, vehicle slipping, transmission fluid leak, transmission fault light on dashboard.
Car gearbox is a complex part, requiring specialized knowledge and specialized tools to repair. Repairing it yourself at home can cause more serious damage. It is best to take your car to a reputable garage to be inspected and repaired by experienced technicians.
For newer cars, shifting to neutral at a red light is unnecessary and can even damage the transmission. Modern control systems have been optimized to automatically disengage the transmission when the car comes to a complete stop.
You should shift gears early at low rpm (about 2.000 - 2.500 rpm), press the accelerator gently and evenly, maintain a stable speed, and limit sudden braking and acceleration.
Automatic transmission is the most suitable choice for new drivers because it is easy to use and does not require complicated skills like manual transmission.
The lifespan of a transmission depends on many factors such as the type of transmission, driving habits, operating conditions and maintenance schedule. On average, a car transmission can operate well for about 150.000 - 200.000 km if properly maintained.
Thanh Phong Auto provides professional and comprehensive auto transmission repair and maintenance services, helping to keep the "heart" of your car healthy.
With a team of experienced technicians, with in-depth knowledge of all types of gearboxes (manual, automatic, CVT, dual-clutch), Thanh Phong Auto is confident in handling all problems from simple to complex:
Quality commitment:
Benefits of choosing gearbox repair and maintenance services at Thanh Phong Auto:
Don't let gearbox problems interrupt your journey! Contact Thanh Phong Auto now for advice and experience the most professional gearbox repair and maintenance service!
Cars Care Service Price Sheet At Thanh Phong Auto HCMC VietNam:
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To keep your vehicle running properly at all times, we offer a number of services that are carried out by our certified, expert auto service and repair technicians who have years of experience performing everything from oil changes to a complete engine overhaul.
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