The age-old question for young drivers throughout North America is whether they want cars with automatic or manual transmissions. Many drivers on the continent opt for automatic transmissions because they are simpler to use than manuals. Some drivers are diehards about their stick shifts because they want ultimate control over their engines. This black or white situation is an issue of the 20th century as automakers move to the next generation of transmissions.
Auto industry experts and drivers have become familiar with continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in recent model years. This transmission type eliminates the grinding metal gears in automatic transmissions to create a more precise and efficient drive. Instead of using fixed gears, the typical CVT uses a set of pulleys at various lengths that control engine power through a durable belt. CVTs produce even transitions between acceleration and deceleration while maintaining engine power in difficult terrain. The Department of Energy and the EPA project that CVTs could save drivers up to $1,600 over the life of these vehicles.
Another development in auto transmissions is the creation of an automated manual transmission. This transmission style remains less common than the CVT given the low demand for manual vehicles in many markets. While the notion of an automated manual transmission may seem like an oxymoron, this technology blends the basic mechanics of a manual with the ease of an automatic. A driver with an automated manual transmission would not need to touch the gear shift but would benefit from the responsiveness of a manual system. This driver’s transmission would shift from gear to gear using an electric motor that is connected to the gear box by wires. The projected fuel savings from an automated manual transmission would be $1,900 according to the DOE and EPA.
If you are inexperienced with transmissions, you may wonder why a CVT or other transmission would make a difference in fuel efficiency. Your transmission determines the amount of energy the engine needs to use to attain the desired speed. An engine that is running too hard on flat surfaces is churning through gasoline at a rapid rate. While many drivers think the engine is the heart of an automobile, the transmission can be seen as the brain. You can cut your costs at the pump while ensuring a smooth ride with a CVT or automated manual transmission.
