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</p><p><i></i>What looks like a relatively simple task of getting inside your car, put the ignition ON and drive is actually a very comprehensive process driven by a lot of factors. One such important mechanism that plays the most pivotal role in the movement of a car is your car’s transmission. Now, transmission can be broadly classified as a machine that majorly converts speed and torque generated from the engine of your car and routes it to the drive wheels through the use of gears and gear trains. In short, transmission is responsible for the way your car runs at different speeds. Often termed as gearbox only, transmissions are further divided into three major types which are further adapted in different fashions depending on the technology used.</p><ol><li><p>Manual Transmission</p></li><li><p>Automatic Transmission</p></li><li><p>Semi-automatic Transmission &nbsp; &nbsp;</p></li></ol><br><p><b>Manual Transmission:</b><br></p><p>As the name suggests, the complete mechanism in this type of transmission is done through manual inputs. This is one of the most common and widely used system seen on a majority of cars running on Indian roads. Manual transmission makes use of a constant-mesh technology where gear sets are basically brought together in a ‘meshed’ fashion. The most common type of transmission can be seen in our day-today cars such as Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo and many more which mainly makes use of 5 speed (5 forward gears + 1 reverse). As per the latest trends, almost every manufacturer now gives the option of choosing a variant with either a manual or an automatic transmission. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p><b>Automatic Transmission:</b></p><p><b>Torque Converter</b></p><p>This type of transmission is gaining wide popularity especially in our country with every passing day. Operating just like its name, automatic transmission makes use of NO manual input for selecting gears and selects an appropriate gear ratio on its own, however one has the option of up-shifting and downshifting gears. The earlier mechanism of automatic gears was quite complicated and expensive as it required a lot of inputs. However, with the advancement in technology automatic transmission nowadays has become quite economical and it also breaks a common myth which has been carried forward for a long time now i.e. Decrease in mileage. Yes, the new age automatic gears, if used appropriately to increase mileage up to an extent. The functioning mechanism includes the use of hydraulics which is dependent on the pressure exerted by the transmission assembly. Modern day technology makes use of a torque converter, which helps in improving fuel efficiency, in between to compensate for power rather than using a clutch directly to engage with the transmission. &nbsp;</p><p><b>Continuously Variable Transmission</b></p><p>Continuous Variable Transmission or commonly named as CVT is a complex type of automatic transmission which is mainly driven by an indefinite count of gear ratios that the transmission uses instead of a fixed geometry which is seen in other transmissions. This type of transmission is very apt for immediate throttle response once you step on to the gas pedal or apply brakes and start again. All of this is made possible with the use of a belt driven mechanism which is done with the help of pulleys installed, normally arranged in a V pattern. It is one of the most advanced transmissions which is used in a lot of cars these days. If put to use under ideal conditions and good driving, CVTs can also match-up or even outperform efficiency when pitted against Manual Transmission. The only downfall of the transmission can be its rubber-band effect under which when the throttle is pressed hard, on a momentary basis the engine revs go up first and then the car accelerates, generating a certain lag in between. Most common examples of CVT on Indian cars can be Honda City, Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Corolla Altis etc. &nbsp;</p><p><b>Dual clutch transmission</b></p><p>As the name suggests, a DCT or Dual Clutch Transmission is a different type of automatic transmission which doesn’t go by the orthodox single clutch used in transmissions, instead it makes use of two. Making use of two clutches, each clutch for odd and even gears, makes gear shifting very swift and responsive mainly because a dedicated clutch works for a single (odd or even) gear type so the next gear change can be selected in advance. With the option to go for a fully automatic mode or even manual gear shifting, DCT is more seen on sports cars and cars that are performance driven. DCT doesn’t use a torque converter like conventional automatic transmissions, which instead makes use of either two wet multi-plate clutch or two dry single plate clutch mechanism. Each manufacturer alters the process of DCT and further names its own technology in a unique fashion. However, cars running on Indian roads that support a DCT are Volkswagen Polo (named Direct Shift Gearbox), Mercedes Benz SLS AMG (named Speedshift), Audi Q3 (named S tronic).</p><p><b>Semi-automatic Transmission:</b></p>Semi-automatic Transmission (SAT) or often termed as Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) is gaining a lot of popularity these days. Automakers are relying on this technology that offers the best of both worlds to the driver. AMT/SAT is basically a transmission which makes use of electronic sensors and actuators to manage clutch operation and perform gear shifts on the input of either the driver or the computer. The advantage of using an AMT is increased or at par efficiency with the Manual Transmission along with the ease of driving without pressing on to the clutch pedal for gearshifts. Its popularity speaks for itself as mass market car manufacturers have adopted the AMT in many of its cars. Especially in cities where traffic density is quite high, AMT serves as the perfect way to commute. Cars such as Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Tata Nano and many more makes use of AMT technology. The latest to join the lot is the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire Diesel AMT. &nbsp;
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