“How Can I Tell What Kind Of Transmission I Have?”

July 7, 2021 | By Mister Transmission

"How Can I Tell What Kind Of Transmission I Have?"

“What transmission do I have?” It’s a question we hear a lot at Mister Transmission. The question can be fairly easy to answer or it can be somewhat complex, depending on what you mean by the question.

“What Transmission Do I Have? Manual Or Automatic?”

Many people asking us or themselves, “What transmission do I have?”, want to know what type of transmission it is, i.e., manual or automatic. This is a basic question and it might seem obvious to many of you reading, but for new drivers, the transmission is often a mysterious and confounding component of their vehicle. It’s natural to be confused about these things when you first start driving. Especially since here in Canada, the vast majority of drivers drive an automatic transmission. (Manual transmissions account for only an estimated 9% of cars.)

When you see it in practice, it’s pretty easy to discern an automatic from a manual transmission. A manual transmission vehicle requires the driver to use the gear shift stick and the clutch pedal to shift gears based on the vehicle’s speed. A vehicle with an automatic transmission does not require the driver to shift of gears in this way. Usually, when driving an automatic transmission, one only needs to shift gears from park, to reverse, to drive, and so on. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive, and they allow the driver to focus on the road, while manual transmissions allow drivers to have more control over their vehicle and they don’t use as much gasoline.

“What Transmission Do I Have? A CVT?”

CVT stands for “continuously variable transmission”. The difference between a CVT and an automatic transmission is not as easy to identify because, in practice, there is very little difference to notice as a driver. Indeed, a CVT is actually a kind of automatic transmission. A CVT seamlessly changes through a limitless range of gear ratios while other automatic transmissions offer a fixed number of gear ratios and can have hard shifts between these ratios. In many ways, the CVT is an improvement on the traditional automatic transmission, so they’re becoming more common in newer vehicles.

“What Transmission Do I Have? Which Make And Model?”

To know the specific make and model of transmission you have might have to have a transmission technician look at it. If you drive a Nissan, you probably have a Nissan transmission. But which make? And it can get complicated when car companies combine on transmissions, as with the GM-Ford 6-speed automatic transmission.

Mister Transmission

Mister Transmission can help you identify the make and model of your transmission, as well as offer full transmission maintenance and repair services. To learn more, please contact us. We also have a comprehensive COVID-19 policy to keep everybody safe.

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Customer Reviews
Phil and team were awesome!...
Daniel GARDEWINE
Phil and team were awesome! Had work done on my truck two years ago. Had an issue with the axle seal leaking and they had no problem looking at it and fixing the problem. Highly recommend MISTER transmission. They are honest and want to please The customer.
Date: May 14, 2023
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I have been going to...
Drazen Ivanisevic
I have been going to the crew on Exeter Road in London, On for a while. Sanjay and his staff have been very forward and their pricing is reasonable. They don't just 'throw parts at the problem': Rather, they carefully explain what the issue may be and move forward. Would highly reccomend to everyone!
Date: May 13, 2023
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Mr transmission are a great...
Sharon
Mr transmission are a great bunch of people who really care. They repaired my issue quickly, efficiently. And extremely reasonably priced. I highly recommend them.
Date: May 13, 2023
Website: Google
Mr transmission are a great...
Sharon
Mr transmission are a great bunch of people who really care. They repaired my issue quickly, efficiently. And extremely reasonably priced. I highly recommend them.
Date: May 13, 2023
Website: Google
Mr transmission are a great...
Sharon
Mr transmission are a great bunch of people who really care. They repaired my issue quickly, efficiently. And extremely reasonably priced. I highly recommend them.
Date: May 13, 2023
Website: Google
Dan at Mister Transmission on...
Kristine Sixteen
Dan at Mister Transmission on Centennial Parkway is a ROCK STAR. Stayed late on a Friday to fix my car so I would have it for an important appointment the next day. That is amazing customer service, and I will forever be grateful
Date: May 12, 2023
Website: Google
The staff at mister transmission...
Priyavardhan Chittepureddy
The staff at mister transmission were friendly, approachable, and attentive. They patiently listened to my concerns, answered all my questions, and provided clear explanations of the repairs needed.
Date: May 12, 2023
Website: Google
I dropped off my daughter's...
Angelo
I dropped off my daughter's 2015 Nissan Versa CVT for a rebuild. Price and warranty are the best in the industry. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. The car has been running great the last year. I referred Mr. Transmission to my father with a Nissan Sentra CVT. They fixed his transmission fairly quickly. I will always refer friends and family to them first. STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN CVT VECHLES! THEY ARE COMPLETE JUNK! BASICALLY ANY VEHICLE WITH A CVT! THEY DON'T SEEM TO LAST LONG AND ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! I am stuck with this car, but feel confident Mr. Transmission will stand behind their warranty!
Date: May 12, 2023
Website: Google
I dropped off my daughter's...
Angelo
I dropped off my daughter's 2015 Nissan Versa CVT for a rebuild. Price and warranty are the best in the industry. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. The car has been running great the last year. I referred Mr. Transmission to my father with a Nissan Sentra CVT. They fixed his transmission fairly quickly. I will always refer friends and family to them first. STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN CVT VECHLES! THEY ARE COMPLETE JUNK! BASICALLY ANY VEHICLE WITH A CVT! THEY DON'T SEEM TO LAST LONG AND ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! I am stuck with this car, but feel confident Mr. Transmission will stand behind their warranty!
Date: May 12, 2023
Website: Google
I dropped off my daughter's...
Angelo
I dropped off my daughter's 2015 Nissan Versa CVT for a rebuild. Price and warranty are the best in the industry. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. The car has been running great the last year. I referred Mr. Transmission to my father with a Nissan Sentra CVT. They fixed his transmission fairly quickly. I will always refer friends and family to them first. STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN CVT VECHLES! THEY ARE COMPLETE JUNK! BASICALLY ANY VEHICLE WITH A CVT! THEY DON'T SEEM TO LAST LONG AND ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! I am stuck with this car, but feel confident Mr. Transmission will stand behind their warranty!
Date: May 12, 2023
Website: Google
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