Is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission manual or automatic?
2 Answers
A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission refers to a dual-clutch transmission with seven forward gears. It belongs to the automatic transmission category. Below is relevant information about transmissions: Main functions: Changing the transmission ratio to expand the variation range of driving wheel torque and speed, adapting to frequently changing driving conditions while allowing the engine to operate under favorable working conditions. Enabling the vehicle to reverse while maintaining the engine's rotational direction; utilizing neutral gear to interrupt power transmission, allowing the engine to start, shift gears, and facilitating gear changes or power output in the transmission. Working principle: Manual transmissions mainly consist of gears and shafts, achieving speed and torque variation through different gear combinations; whereas automatic transmissions (AT) are composed of torque converters, planetary gears, and hydraulic control systems, achieving speed and torque variation through hydraulic transmission and gear combinations. Dual-clutch transmission: It is an automotive transmission with two sets of clutches. In terms of classification, dual-clutch transmissions can be broadly divided into wet dual-clutch transmissions and dry dual-clutch transmissions.
I used to drive a car with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and it actually felt like an automatic, even though the name includes the keyword 'manual.' Simply put, the transmission has two sets of clutches inside—one managing the odd gears and the other handling the even gears. During gear shifts, the two clutches work in tandem. You don’t need to press a clutch pedal or manually move the gear lever; it automatically controls the shifting process via computer. For everyday driving, you only need to control the accelerator and brake, and in traffic jams, your left foot won’t get exhausted from repeatedly pressing the clutch. However, it’s more efficient than a traditional automatic transmission and much more fuel-efficient. If you occasionally want to have some fun with control, you can manually intervene with the gear shifts using paddle shifters, though it’s still fundamentally an automatic control logic at its core.
