Do Automatic Cars Have a Clutch?
3 Answers
Automatic cars do have a clutch. More details about automatic transmissions are as follows: 1. There is no clutch pedal, but the clutch and accelerator pedals are combined. The clutch in an automatic transmission is replaced by something called a torque converter, which can lock one end while the engine outputs torque, converting kinetic energy into internal energy. 2. Even though automatic transmissions don't have a clutch pedal, they still have a clutch, which is located inside the automatic transmission. As the car's RPM, throttle, brake, and speed change, the onboard computer controls the separation or engagement of the clutch plates to achieve the effect of automatic shifting. 3. As the name suggests, an automatic transmission does not require the driver to shift gears manually. The vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The clutch is located in the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission, with the clutch assembly fixed to the rear plane of the flywheel by screws. The output shaft of the clutch is the input shaft of the transmission. During gear shifts, it connects and disconnects the power between the engine and the transmission to ensure smooth shifting.
When I first drove an automatic transmission car, I was also curious about this question and specifically asked a mechanic. In fact, automatic transmission cars do have a clutch, but it's not the kind of pedal we press with our foot. It's hidden inside the transmission and comes in several different forms: traditional automatics use a torque converter, which works like an oil-driven turbine, transferring power by using engine power to move transmission fluid; dual-clutch automatics are even more advanced, featuring two sets of automatically operating clutch plates inside. These internal clutches are all computer-controlled, and we can't feel their presence at all while driving. So although the structure includes clutch functionality, driving an automatic truly frees up your left foot—you only need to manage the accelerator and brake, making it especially suitable for driving in traffic jams without worrying about stalling.
I've been studying vehicle structures for many years, and it's true that automatic transmission cars don't have a physical clutch pedal. However, this doesn't mean they lack clutch functionality. Automotive engineers have integrated the clutch intelligently into the transmission system. Common AT transmissions transfer power through a torque converter, AMTs use electronic control units to operate clutch plates, while dual-clutch transmissions even feature two sets of automatically switching clutches. This design significantly simplifies driving - you just need to shift to D gear, and the car handles clutch operations automatically. But remember, the absence of a clutch pedal doesn't mean you can operate it carelessly. At red lights, you should still shift to N gear or maintain brake pressure, otherwise it will accelerate transmission wear.
