How Many Types of Transmissions Are There?
2 Answers
There are three types of transmissions: stepped transmission, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and integrated transmission. Among them, stepped transmission is the most widely used, which employs gear transmission and has several fixed gear ratios. According to the different types of gear trains used, there are two types: fixed-axis transmission and rotating-axis transmission. Continuously variable transmission refers to a transmission system that can continuously obtain any gear ratio within the transmission range, allowing for an optimal match between the transmission system and the engine's operating conditions. Common continuously variable transmissions include hydro-mechanical CVT and metal belt CVT.
There are various types of transmissions, and after driving for so many years, I've encountered several main types. Manual transmissions are the most common and oldest, requiring you to press the clutch and shift gears yourself, offering strong control but complex operation, especially tiring during traffic jams; automatic transmissions use hydraulic systems to shift gears, making driving effortless and suitable for daily city commuting, though fuel consumption may be slightly higher; continuously variable transmissions (CVT) have no fixed gears, shifting smoothly as if gliding, particularly fuel-efficient especially at low speeds; dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) have two shifting systems that switch rapidly, with incredibly fast gear changes, commonly seen in high-speed or sports cars; and sequential transmissions, mainly used in racing cars, offer quick shifts but are noisy and unsuitable for regular road conditions. Each type differs greatly in driving experience and maintenance—manual is reliable but has a steep learning curve, automatic is convenient but occasionally jerky, CVT is energy-efficient but acceleration may feel sluggish.
