Gearbox, Car Transmission, Types,Work, Car Repair

Types of Transmissions and How They Work

In British English, the term transmission refers to the whole drivetrain, including clutch, gearbox, prop shaft (for rear-wheel drive), differential, and final drive shafts. In American English, however, the term refers more specifically to the gearbox alone, and detailed usage differs.

While manual transmissions have remained relatively unchanged over the years, electronically controlled automatic, semi-automatic, and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) have become increasingly complex, but also easier to use than ever before. However, modern transmissions of all types have become more prone to failure, primarily because of this higher level of complexity.

The following guide outlines the inner workings and differences between the most common types of transmissions and lists the primary advantages and disadvantages of each.

Manual Transmissions

Fully Automatic Transmissions

Semi-Automatic Transmissions

Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT)

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