Discover Which Transmission Type Fits Your Driving

Discover More about Transmission Types at Thomasville Ford Lincoln

If you’re making a list of the most important aspects of a vehicle, the transmission would likely be something you would need to consider. The transmission is how power from the engine transfers to the wheels, enabling the vehicle to move.

Four different transmission types are available in vehicles today: manual transmission, automatic transmission, continuously variable transmission, and semi-automatic transmission. Each one is different from the other and offers distinct advantages.

You need to drive a vehicle with a transmission that you feel comfortable with and that you know fits your driving style and needs. When you shop at Thomasville Ford Lincoln, our friendly staff can show you which vehicles in our inventory have which types of transmission.

In this article, we’ll help you understand how each transmission type works and why one or the other might appeal to you. It will then be easier to choose a vehicle when you come to the dealership.

Manual Transmission

There was a time when manual transmission was the most common type available. Today, however, fewer and fewer vehicles have manual transmission. However, you can still find it on many trucks, some SUVs, and sports cars.

Manual transmission requires the driver to shift the vehicle directly from one gear to the other. The driver does this by using the stick shift, which is in the center console between the two front seats. Most vehicles with manual transmission have five or more gears. While shifting, the driver must press down on the clutch pedal, which is on the floor next to the brake on the far left. Shifting is necessary when the vehicle speeds up or decelerates, including when coming to a stop.

Some of the advantages of manual transmission include:

• Manual transmission is less expensive to repair than other types.
• Vehicles with manual transmission are usually cheaper.
• Vehicles with manual transmission have a better resale value.
• There is more of a feeling of being engaged with the vehicle when you use a manual transmission.

Automatic Transmission

On the other end, there is the automatic transmission, which is the most common of all types. It is available in cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans of all sizes. An automatic transmission does not require any input from the driver. As the name implies, the shifting happens automatically as the car accelerates and slows down.

Drivers enjoy this type for the following reasons:

• It is easy to learn because there are no steps the driver has to perform to operate this transmission.
• An automatic transmission does well in stop-and-go conditions and city traffic.
• It is readily available, more so than other transmission types.
• The shifting process is seamless and smooth.

Semi-Automatic Transmission

A lot of drivers like a semi-automatic transmission because it incorporates elements of manual and automatic transmission. For example, the shifting process can happen automatically, and there is no clutch pedal or stick shift. However, the driver can shift to a lower or higher gear by using paddles or buttons on or near the steering wheel. Some benefits of using a semi-automatic transmission are as follows:

• Cars with semi-automatic transmission have good fuel economy.
• A demi-automatic transmission does well in high-performance vehicles.
• A semi-automatic transmission is easier to learn than a manual transmission
• The driver has excellent control of the vehicle when using this type of transmission.

Continuously Variable Transmission

While the other three transmission types used fixed gears, the fourth type – continuously variable transmission does not. Also called CVT, it uses belts and pulleys to operate. It also has infinite gear ratios. There are no steps the driver must take to shift from one gear to the other. The CVT is common on smaller vehicles.

You’ll enjoy using it for the following reasons:

• Cars with CVT are lighter, as this transmission type has fewer parts.
• Vehicles with CVT get good gas mileage.
• It is easy for new drivers to learn.
• A CVT makes your ride smooth.

Shop Your Next Vehicle at Thomasville Ford Lincoln

There is no right or wrong transmission to choose; your decision depends on your driving style and preferences. All four transmission types have advantages, so it’s vital to consider each. You can get help from the sales team at Thomasville Ford Lincoln in Thomasville, GA. Visit us today and get into a vehicle with the transmission you need.