Is a Manual-Automatic Transmission an AT?
4 Answers
Manual-automatic transmission is not AT. The following are the specific introductions of AT transmission: 1. Structural form: AT transmission is an automatic transmission. Some AT transmissions have manual mode, while some do not. Manual-automatic refers to a certain type of automatic transmission with manual shifting, which refers to a structural form of the transmission. 2. Working principle: AT transmission is a relatively common automatic transmission with many planetary gears inside, relying on planetary gears for speed and torque variation. AT transmission is connected to the engine via a torque converter. This type of transmission has good shift smoothness and high reliability and durability.
Actually, a manual-automatic transmission is essentially an upgraded version of an automatic transmission (AT). I've driven many cars equipped with this type of transmission, and its most notable feature is the addition of manual gear-shifting capability on top of the traditional automatic transmission. You see those +/- symbols next to the gear lever or paddle shifters on the steering wheel? When you switch to manual mode, you can control gear upshifts and downshifts yourself, which is particularly useful for engine braking during long descents or precise power control on winding mountain roads. However, it's perfectly fine to use it as a pure automatic transmission in daily traffic jams, as the computer still manages the clutch operation. Manufacturers classify it under the automatic transmission category in repair manuals.
Yes, the automated manual transmission (AMT) indeed belongs to the AT family. My SUV is equipped with a 6-speed AMT, and after five years of driving, I feel it's essentially an intelligent extension of automatic transmissions. Traditional automatics only have D and R gears, right? AMTs add an M or S mode, allowing manual intervention in shift timing when needed. However, core components like the torque converter and planetary gear sets inside the transmission share identical structural principles with conventional ATs. I usually use automatic mode for school runs with my kids, only switching to manual mode for highway overtaking or controlling gears during snowy skids.
To be precise, the manual-automatic transmission is a technical variant of the automatic transmission. I was also confused about this when I first started driving, but later I checked the automotive engineering manual and figured it out. Its basic architecture completely follows the core design of a traditional AT, with only an additional manual shifting module. This type of transmission defaults to automatic mode when the vehicle starts, with the computer controlling the shifting logic. It only enters manual mode when you deliberately shift the gear lever or press the paddle, essentially still controlled by the TCU.
