Maintaining Fuel Efficiency as You Drive

By Mister Transmission

More gears, electronic shifting, and dual clutches: here’s how modern transmissions are improving fuel economy

In the unending quest to increase vehicle fuel efficiency, some auto manufacturers are adding more gears to automatic transmissions. It’s two-pronged answer to improving vehicle mileage and adhering to increasingly stringent carbon dioxide emission standards for cars and light-duty trucks.

Adding gears to improve performance is not an entirely new idea, but much of the thrust for doing so concerning maintaining fuel efficiency is the idea that more gears reduce the engine’s operating range. That concept gave way to the creation of continuously variable transmissions (CVT). By keeping engine revs low, a CVT ensures no more fuel is burned than what is required for any type of driving.

Some people believe a manual transmission provides better fuel efficiency than an automatic transmission. There may be a hint of truth to that – and only just – but it depends entirely on the model of vehicle you drive. However, on the whole, a modern vehicle with an automatic transmission is more economical than one with a manual transmission.

Other Transmission Technology Advances

Expanding the number of gears in automatic transmissions or installing a CVT in a car are two approaches intended to increase and maintain fuel efficiency, but here are other options, including automated manual transmissions (AMT) and dual-clutch transmissions (DCT).

AMTs, aka automated clutch-manual transmissions, are thought to provide better fuel economy than other automatic transmissions because they have a clutch instead of a torque converter. That may not be indisputable with the invention of lock-up torque converters and electronic gear shifting. Nevertheless, AMTs also use electronics to shift gears and they provide a similar driving experience to a traditional automatic transmission.

DCTs, also referred to as a twin-clutch transmission, house two clutches: one for even-numbered gears, the other for odd-numbered gears. Compared to a traditional automatic transmission, DCTs reportedly reduce fuel consumption between 3% and as much as 9%. DCTs, powered by a car’s onboard computer, are becoming increasingly common in both domestic and imported vehicles.

The Drive Toward Better Mileage

It’s the automatic transmission innovations among competing auto manufacturers that are transforming the cars we drive, and their improving fuel efficiency. Since the mid-1990s, Canadian motorists have been gravitating toward purchasing vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. That, in turn, led to the increasing rivalry between carmakers to develop more efficient transmissions.

Not to be overlooked, improving your car’s fuel efficiency requires more than adding gears or choosing a vehicle with a CVT. Sleeker auto bodies, buying high-quality tires, and regularly scheduled maintenance of your transmission can all add up to fuel cost-savings.

If you have a question about your car’s differential or transmission, contact the Mister Transmission service centre nearest to you.

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Customer Reviews
Jamie and the team at...
Ryan Boles
Jamie and the team at Mister transmission are awesome. They were super accommodating of me with a significant issue I had with my vehicle. I believe they went above and beyond the call of duty to help a customer. Highly recommend, I will be back.
Date: April 21, 2025
Website: Google
Thanks to Raman....i got my...
Oscar Castaneda
Thanks to Raman....i got my transmission on my civic rebuild.....he did an awsome job...was honest about it needed.....would recommend to anyone....thanks guys
Date: April 21, 2025
Website: Google
Gus was very professional and...
Mike Long
Gus was very professional and took the time to patiently review a number of documents that were provided by the dealership so that I fully understood all the codes being displayed with respect to recalls from Dodge. He was very approachable and forthcoming in answering all my questions.
Date: April 21, 2025
Website: Google
While on vacation our transmission...
David Janiszewski
While on vacation our transmission failed as soon as we arrived from Ohio. Ken and team sourced a transmission, stayed after hours and Ken himself came in on a holiday morning so we could drive our car home rather than me having to drive back 6 hours one way the following week.Communication throughout the process was excellent and the customer service was second to none. Highly recommend this shop. Excellent experience over all.
Date: April 20, 2025
Website: Google
Absolutely GREAT service. Honest and...
Paula Cziranka
Absolutely GREAT service. Honest and efficient- communicates exactly what is happening and your options. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate their service.
Date: April 20, 2025
Website: Google
Brought my 06 mitsu lancer...
Isaiah Presingular
Brought my 06 mitsu lancer in with a 4th gear popout and slipping clutch, a mechanic took the car out for a test drive and diagnostic free of charge and the gentleman at the front desk went above and beyond to take care of me with part sourcing and extremely good pricing. Five business days (realistically just 3 as they had to wait for some parts to arrive), a swapped transmission and new clutch later, and now she goes through all the gears perfectly, absolutely no issuesHighly recommend, you can't beat the price to workmanship you get here, mechanics we're super chill and very qualified, everyone there takes pride in their work and they should, very impressed 👍
Date: April 18, 2025
Website: Google
Very awesome customer service!!! Very...
Kelsey Larsen
Very awesome customer service!!! Very quick and easy to get in and out for services. Was supposed to have a refurbished tranny put in my car but it was a brand new one they replaced with in the end!! Thankyou soooooooo much. I will forever send any and all that need their tranny or driveline diagnosed to you guys.
Date: April 16, 2025
Website: Google
I was in the area...
Dupuis Family
I was in the area and had an issue with my Hyundai Tucson shifting. I called and the Manager - Jason offered to squeeze me in. Jason listened to my complaints and with his expert trained staff were able to diagnose and fix the problem immediately. They had me on my happily way in no time. Thanks guys!
Date: April 16, 2025
Website: Google
After talking with Kris on...
Chris Richards
After talking with Kris on the phone, I felt comfortable that he knew the particular issues related to a 24-year old (2001) 4R100 Ford transmission, coupled with a 7.3 diesel, and gained my trust that they had the knowledge and expertise to overhaul it. I questioned him in advance about the parts they would use and the staff member that would do the work. Was a good experience. He knew that I used the truck for trailer-towing and recommended some specific parts/upgrades for hauling. I'll be towing across Canada this year, and if you don't see any further comments or a rating less than 5-star, assume that the transmission is tugging away nicely without issues. Thanks Kris and Dawn.
Date: April 15, 2025
Website: Google
Thanks to Raman and his...
G W
Thanks to Raman and his team for taking care of fixing our van. Would highly recommend this shop. They are trustworthy, honest and do great work.
Date: April 15, 2025
Website: Google
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