It is said that those who try an automatic transmission do not return to the manual transmission and, although, like almost everything, it is a matter of taste, it is true that a good automatic or robotic transmission offers comfort when the driver seeks to relax, and extraordinary sports sensations when he wants action. .
We review below the main types of automatic gearboxes, double clutch, continuous variator and torque converter; as well as robotic manuals, to break down their advantages and disadvantages.
Torque converter
Tiptronic, Steptronic… The nomenclature varies depending on the manufacturer (Audi, Porsche, BMW…), but their qualities usually coincide: reliability, simplicity and resistance. There are 5, 6, 7 or more speeds, and it guarantees comfort and smoothness when making transitions, slightly penalizing speed. They are usually used in high torque vehicles.
double clutch
Labeled as DSG, DPK, PDK, DKG… they are the most modern and complex. As a summary in Autocasión, they are basically a gearbox split in two. On the one hand the even gears and on the other the odd ones, turning all of them in two different clutches. They are very fast and smooth and the ones that best adapt to all types of driving.
The problem is that its performance can vary depending on the vehicle’s electronics, which is what predicts the next gear we are going to use, and it can be slow if we decide to act in a way that it cannot predict, for example, if we want to slow down while accelerating.
continuous variator
Also identified as CVT, they are not really a gearbox, but two pulleys linked by a V-belt. This belt varies in length and travel depending on acceleration, similar to a small displacement motorcycle. The gear ratios can be infinite, so the staggering is artificial.
It is used by brands such as Toyota or Lexus. Although they are very efficient, among the criticisms of their detractors it is common to mention their lack of sportiness, due to the so-called “gum effect”: acceleration seems to be unbalanced by the driver’s action on the pedal.
Robotic or piloted manual
They are not automatic boxes, although they can comply as such. Basically, they work like a manual but with a mechanical assistant that performs the transitions, and that allows them to be used as an automatic or as a manual – through paddles on the steering wheel or through the lever itself.
Tips for using automatic changes
More comfortable and easier to handle than the manual ones, however, certain things must be taken into account so as not to use them incorrectly, which could cause breakdowns.
Many drivers, for example, switch from drive to reverse without waiting for the car to come to a complete stop. This is a serious mistake that can end up with the car in the workshop and with a high bill.
Do not use the «N» position when the car is running: it is a false belief to think that when going down a steep slope you should put the neutral position to help us save a few liters of gasoline. Modern automatic gearboxes are able to cut off the fuel supply to the engine in these conditions and make the wheels turn the engine and not the other way around.
Never go from Drive to Reverse on the move – remember that a car’s brakes are designed for braking and the transmission for gear shifting.
Nor do you have to wait for the car to come to a complete stop to make this gear change, which creates additional stress on the transmission belt, considerably reducing its useful life.