Transmission Types and History of Development

By Mister Transmission

From starting with manual transmissions, to the introduction of automatic transmissions in 1939 – learn about the evolution of the modern transmission.

The transmission in automobiles is a system of parts usually contained within a housing, connecting the engine to the wheels. Suitable torque, or turning force, is generated by the engine only within a narrow range of engine speeds, i.e., rates at which the crankshaft is turning. However, the wheels must turn with suitable torque over a wide range of speeds. While its speed is held roughly constant, the engine turns an input shaft on the transmission whose output shaft can be adjusted to turn the wheels at an appropriate speed.

Manual Transmission

The manual transmission is the simplest (and earliest) of transmissions, and consist of a system of interlocking gearwheels. These wheels are arranged so that by operating a lever the driver can choose one of several ratios of speed between the input shaft and the output shaft. These ratios are called gears, first gear being the arrangement that gives the lowest output speed, second gear the next lowest, and so forth. To allow smooth shifting from one gear to another, a clutch is provided to disengage the engine from the transmission. The commonly used dry single disk clutch has a steel disk with a friction lining that is sandwiched between a flywheel on the engine shaft and a pressure plate on the transmission input shaft. When the driver takes his foot off the clutch pedal, springs squeeze the friction disk into the space between the flywheel and the pressure plate, enabling the engine shaft to turn the transmission.

For many cars and for normal driving conditions a transmission with three forward gears and one reverse gear is sufficient. In cars having small engines transmissions with four or five forward speeds are used; racing cars often have as many as six forward speeds.

Synchromesh Transmission

A synchromesh transmission is a manual transmission in which all forward gear wheels are held in mesh at all times. Used on most American cars with a manual transmission, it allows the driver to shift gears more smoothly and makes the car run more quietly.

Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission, introduced in 1939, switches to the optimum gear without driver intervention except for starting and going into reverse. The type of automatic transmission used on current American cars usually consists of a fluid device called a torque converter and a set of planetary gears. The torque converter transmits the engine’s power to the transmission using hydraulic fluid to make the connection. For more efficient operation at high speeds, a clutch plate is applied to create a direct mechanical connection between the transmission and the engine.

The introduction of microprocessor-controlled electronic sensors has enhanced the performance of automatic transmissions still more. Data about engine speed, exhaust pressure, and other performance characteristics are sent to a processor that controls the changing of gears and the clutch plate in the torque converter via electrical switches, or solenoids. New approaches to transmission design combine the best features of manual and automatic transmissions to provide more efficient ways of channeling engine power to the wheels.

Manumatic Transmission

A manumatic transmission is an automatic transmission with an added manual-shift mode; typically, a floor-mounted shifter offers an alternative selector path supplemented by buttons mounted on the steering wheel.

Continuously Variable Transmission

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) uses a belt that connects two variable-diameter pulleys to provide an unlimited number of ratio changes and uninterrupted power to the wheels; CVT transmissions offer better fuel efficiency than conventional automatic transmissions, which change the transmission ratio by shifting gears.

Sequential Manual Gearbox

A sequential manual gearbox (SMG), developed for Formula One cars, uses computer-controlled actuators to operate the clutch and change gears when prompted by the driver; both manual and automatic modes are possible, and there is no clutch pedal.

Dual Clutch Transmission

The dual clutch transmission (DCT), also called the direct shift gearbox (DSG), substitutes dual clutches for the conventional single-sided clutch to transfer power from the engine through two parallel paths; the gearbox features two sets of gears, identical to those in conventional manual transmissions—one set being the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and the other the even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th)—the gears must be shifted in sequence, and power to the wheels is never interrupted.

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Customer Reviews
Professional transmission rebuilt
Max XIAO
Professional transmission rebuilt
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Mandy's customer service was second...
Vanessa Orchard
Mandy's customer service was second to none. Not only did he make sure the work they could do on our truck got done in a timely manner, but also made arrangements for other services to be completed that are outside their scope. PLUS, he took care of getting our truck there and back! Like Mandy said, we hope we don't need to see him for that truck again, but if we need transmission services for any of our other vehicles, we'll be back! Thank you for your great customer service Mandy!
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Highly recommended! I wasn't sure...
Akash Kachchhi
Highly recommended! I wasn't sure where to take my car for a transmission repair. Had quotes from other shops, which were all around the same, but no one was offering warranty on their work more than one year even after spending so much money. Only Mr. Mandeep offered me three years warranty, which makes me assured to go forward with the repair. Mr. Wes is really knowledgeable technician and he did a fantastic job, car works like new! Incredible staff that go above and beyond for their customers. Their customer service is great and the car was done on time.
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Nav and his crew are...
Darrell Govereau
Nav and his crew are always there for me. Give them a call for exceptional service! Not only transmissions!
Date: March 26, 2023
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Excellent customer service!
Rob Harris
Excellent customer service!
Date: March 25, 2023
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I took the car in...
Lance Lincoln
I took the car in because I had issues with my transmission, not only did they fix it but they fixed my lower control arm and adjusted my brakes, these are problems that were missed on the safety, Dan also dealt with my warranty company as well as made sure I had the financing to get my car back with no out of pocket funds, they worked late making sure I had the car on the day they said, thank you Dan and Bob for all your hard work.
Date: March 24, 2023
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Great job on my transmission...
Alessandro Chiaravallo
Great job on my transmission and awesome customer's service... Thanks guys!
Date: March 24, 2023
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very good and professional. I...
Tochukwu Ezeanochie
very good and professional. I will recommend them for everyone.
Date: March 24, 2023
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Excellent service! Wes was professional,...
Lori Buckle
Excellent service! Wes was professional, considerate and easy to deal with. Would definitely recommend! A++++
Date: March 23, 2023
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Great people, great service, you...
Mircea Manolescu
Great people, great service, you know they will take good care of your car, no matter the problem it has.
Date: March 22, 2023
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