Is the Chery Tiggo 8's dual-clutch transmission dry or wet?
3 Answers
Chery Tiggo 8 is equipped with a dry dual-clutch transmission. The dry transmission transmits power through multiple friction plates and metal diaphragm plates connected to the input shaft. Power is transmitted when the friction plates and diaphragm plates are pressed together, and power transmission is interrupted when they are separated, which is the same principle as manual transmissions. Dry and wet dual-clutch transmissions share the same power transmission principle, but the working environments of the clutch driving plates and driven plates differ. The dry type operates in air, while the wet type works in oil. Dry dual-clutch transmissions have higher transmission efficiency, but since they can only rely on air for cooling, they are prone to overheating and wear in stop-and-go traffic conditions due to insufficient airflow. Wet dual-clutch transmissions are more durable and less likely to overheat. A clutch cooled by air is called a dry clutch. In use, the clutch should be able to engage and disengage from the power source easily and freely, and should not overheat even when operating in a semi-engaged state for short periods. Because dry clutches are not affected by the resistance of engine oil, they generally have faster engagement response and slightly stronger engagement force. Also, due to the lack of oil cooling, dry clutches usually adopt an exposed design for heat dissipation.
I just got my hands on the Chery Tiggo 8 not long ago, and it feels quite smooth when driving. Its dual-clutch transmission is the wet type, not the dry one, which I made sure to check before buying. The wet type is immersed in oil, providing better heat dissipation, especially in city traffic where gear shifts are smooth without any jerking, and you don’t have to worry about overheating on long trips. I’ve test-driven cars with dry clutches before, and they tend to have issues, but this one is very stable and easy to maintain—just regular transmission oil changes. As an average car owner, I find this design practical, balancing comfort and durability, handling daily commutes or road trips with ease.
I'm particularly interested in automotive technology, and the dual-clutch transmission in the Chery Tiggo 8 is a wet-type design, which is quite smart. The wet DCT uses oil to cool the friction plates, making it more suitable for the high-torque engines of SUVs compared to dry types, with fast and smooth gear shifts. Dry types are prone to overheating under frequent start-stop conditions, but the wet type is much more stable, enhancing the driving experience. From a performance perspective, the wet transmission in the Tiggo 8 offers high reliability, long maintenance intervals, and lower overall costs. If you're focused on vehicle handling, this configuration is a definite plus.
