Summary The automatic gearbox, how does it work? The main types of automatic gearboxes The automatic transmission, the choice of simplicity for the driver And you, will you switch to the automatic gearbox?
The automatic gearbox, how does it work?
The automatic gearbox appeared very early in the history of the automobile, in the 1920s. It was also created by a French engineer, Gaston Fleischel! Since then, it has experienced tremendous development around the world, gradually replacing the manual gearbox on most cars in some countries. But not in France! Its development in France on new cars is quite recent.
But enough history, how does an automatic gearbox work and what is the difference compared to a manual gearbox?
While the manual gearbox requires an effort from the driver to move the car forward, by actuating the clutch and engaging gears using the gear lever, the automatic gearbox allows you to completely free yourself from these efforts and not concentrate than on acceleration and braking. The driver no longer has to manage starts, stops and gear changes as implied by a conventional gearbox.
A classic automatic gearbox works thanks to an electronic and electro-hydraulic system which allows you to change gears automatically, taking into account the driving conditions of the vehicle, such as the force applied to the accelerator or brake pedal, the engine speed, the force of the acceleration, etc. taking these parameters into account makes it possible to determine the speed best suited to the pace of the car. The clutch is managed automatically, which eliminates the need for the clutch pedal.
It is therefore the gearbox that manages the gear changes for us, even s 'it is always possible to keep control of the gearshifts, always in an assisted manner!
When you are in a car with an automatic transmission, you only have two pedals: the accelerator and the brake. Forget the clutch, which is no longer your problem! You also end up with a shifter that does not have an "H" grid with the gears to engage. You will have, as in the picture, positions: "P" (Park) for the car to come to a complete stop, "N" (Neutral) for neutral, "R" (Reverse) for reverse gear, and “D” (Drive) for forward travel. Some gearboxes have an "S" (Sport) control, which delays gear changes and an "M" (Manual) control which puts the gearbox in semi-automatic mode and allows you to change gears yourself without having to change gear. you might as well act on the clutch in any way. You simply push or pull the lever.
The main types of automatic gearboxes available on the market
Today, the market for automatic transmissions on production cars is very developed. There is therefore not only a single system of gearboxes but a multitude of systems which can have quite different operations, mainly sensitive to driving!
Here are the 4 main systems available on the market, from more efficient at least efficient:
1st Ex-Aequo: The new generation classic automatic gearbox
- Special features: it is widely used on the market. It is a classic automatic torque converter gearbox (therefore without a clutch), it is supplied to manufacturers by different suppliers and some gearboxes differ only in their electronic management (for example the Tiptronic from Porsche and Audi). These classic gearboxes have long displayed poor performance, in the 80s and 90s in particular because they were slow, caused heavy overconsumption and had few reports (4 or 5 speeds maximum).
Today 'hui, things have changed a lot, the boxes have become very fast thanks to many improvements both in terms of mechanics and software. They reach the level of robotic double clutch gearboxes in terms of speed, while their smoothness and comfort are their strong point. They now generally have between 7 and 9 gears on average (to lower engine speeds on the road and reduce fuel consumption). It is now the preferred type of gearbox with the dual clutch gearbox.
- Performance: Formerly poor in terms of pure performance and fuel consumption, automatic transmissions are now very efficient. They even allow faster acceleration than manual gearboxes because gear changes are quicker and smoother. Their approval is excellent while the new gearboxes, equipped with intelligent management, sometimes allow less consumption than an equivalent model with a manual gearbox.
- Main manufacturers who use this technology: Audi (Tiptronic and Multitronic), Peugeot-Citroën (EAT6-8), BMW (Steptronic), Mercedes (7 and 9G-Tronic), Jaguar-Land Rover (BVA8), Porsche (Tiptronic), Fiat Group (BVA9)…
1er Tied: The robotic double clutch gearbox
- Particularities: The double clutch gearbox is actually a robotic gearbox made up of two half-gearboxes (one for even gears and one for odd gears). It is made up of two clutches for each of the half-gearboxes and the advantage is that when driving, the lower and upper gears of the unused half-gearbox are preselected. In the event of a gear change, this allows a very high speed of gear change and a very great smoothness which makes them almost imperceptible.
- Performance: From its beginnings, this gearbox has revolutionized the genre of automatic gearboxes. because of a speed still unknown on the market. It is in fact mounted on many high performance cars, which made it possible to democratize this gearbox on many cars. In terms of consumption, it allows consumption similar or lower than a mechanical gearbox and excellent approval, even if rare cases of jolts at low speeds may occur.
- Main manufacturers who use this technology: Renault (EDC), Audi (S-Tronic), Volkswagen-Seat-Skoda (DSG), Mercedes (7G-DCT), BMW (DKG), Porsche (PDK), Ferrari (F1-DCT), Lamborghini, Fiat -Alfa Romeo (TCT), Ford (Powershift)…
3rd: The robotic (or piloted) single-clutch gearbox
- Particularities: This type of gearbox allowed a first revolution in the world of gearboxes automatic at the end of the 1990s in particular thanks to Ferrari which developed this technology directly thanks to the experience acquired in Formula 1 (hence the name of gearbox "F1" at Ferrari). This is a system that is much more like a traditional mechanical gearbox since it is an electronically controlled mechanical gearbox. These gearboxes therefore manage the clutch automatically and shift gears thanks to an electro-hydraulic system which shifts gears in place of the driver.
- Performance: Let it be said, the gearbox robotics was relatively effective only among sports car manufacturers, due to maximum optimization. This type of gearbox is in the process of disappearing and since the end of the 200x, it is mainly small accessible cars that are equipped with it, due to a limited additional production cost. The performances are generally arbitrary and come close to a mechanical gearbox. The overconsumption is zero or low.
- Main manufacturers using this technology: Fiat Group (Dualogic), Ferrari-Maserati (F1), Citroën-Peugeot (BMP / ETG), Smart (Softouch), VW (ASG)…
4th: The CVT gearbox
- Particularities: This gearbox operates differently from other gearboxes, because it works on the principle of continuous variation. This principle is ensured by the box which has a variator, it is the same operating principle as on a scooter. The gearbox continuously adapts engine speed and torque to the driver's accelerator pedal intervention. This allows for a very smooth ride.
- Performance: These gearboxes are often criticized for their poor performance because this gearbox dilutes part of the engine's performance by its operation. Also, the problem is that continuously variable forces the engine to go high in revs as soon as you accelerate sharply, so cars with this type of gearbox are often noisy on roads and highways. This gearbox is more pleasant in town, where the engine is not used much and overconsumption is limited or even zero. Its action is gentle. It is very present on Japanese cars.
- Main manufacturers who use this technology: Toyota (CVT), Honda (CVT), Nissan (X-Tronic)…
Here is a video that shows the differences in gearshifts between an automatic transmission vehicle (BMW 8 speed), a CVT vehicle, a dual clutch transmission (DKG BMW 7 speed) and a manual transmission (Chevrolet Corvette)
The automatic gearbox, the driver's choice of simplicity
The automatic gearbox is indeed a choice of simplicity. For the driver, driving a car with a manual gearbox means focusing only on the essentials: acceleration, braking, and steering wheel actions. This makes it possible to avoid potentially stressful driving situations such as starting on a hill, restarting at a red light or at an intersection, or awkward situations such as the incessant use of the clutch in traffic jams.
< p> It is therefore recommended primarily for urban drivers, and it is also present on certain well-known vehicles such as the Smart, which has only been available for more than 15 years in a robotic box (a box of very poor speeds otherwise). Then, it is aimed at lovers of driving comfort, who like smooth driving, but also lovers of sporty driving, thanks to the new generation automatic gearboxes and dual-clutch gearboxes, very fast and inspired by the motor racing to offer high performance cars.
Choose the automatic gearbox that suits you The automatic gearbox is becoming more democratic and becoming an ally of all drivers. You just have to choose which one is best suited to your needs! Choose the gearbox that best suits your use, given its additional cost, its performance and its approval!
And you, will you switch to the automatic gearbox?
Automatic transmissions have made enormous progress in recent years. They represented only 3% of new vehicle sales in the early 1980s, 8% at the end of the 1990s and 24% in 2016! In 2018, we expect to exceed 25% of the fleet of new vehicles equipped with this type of gearbox.
It should also be noted that some innovative engines also give pride of place to automation: hybrid vehicles and electrics are simply not available with manual transmissions. The complexity of the hybrid and the search for efficiency has led engineers to offer only vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, while the operation of electric cars simply does not allow them to have them.
The future therefore looks bright for automatic vehicles which should continue to grow in France, while certain parts of the world (Asia, United States) are already almost 100% converted. Their reliability is generally very good and maintenance costs are reduced (no clutch to change). In addition, the increase in sales of automatic transmissions allows economies of scale among manufacturers and therefore lower prices on new cars.
As regards the additional cost compared to a new car with manual gearbox, it takes between € 700 and € 1000 more on average for a city car, between € 1000 and € 2000 for a mid-range car and between € 1500 and € 3000 for a large sedan or a 4 × 4 . The price differences are reduced on occasion, which is a boon for any buyer of a used vehicle!
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