What Are the Types of Automatic Transmissions?

[HazelFitz]

Here are four types of automatic transmissions: 1. Hydraulic Automatic Transmission (AT): Composed of a torque converter, planetary gears, and a hydraulic control system, it achieves speed and torque changes through hydraulic transmission and gear combinations. It is the most widely used type, often referred to as a conventional automatic transmission or one with manual-shift control. 2. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): Also known as a stepless transmission, it lacks specific gear positions. The engine speed adjusts the size of the transmission gears, operating similarly to an automatic transmission but with a continuously variable ratio, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted power delivery. 3. Automated Manual Transmission (AMT): An improvement over traditional manual gear transmissions. It features an electronically controlled system added to a standard manual transmission and clutch to automate gear shifting. 4. Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT): Developed based on manual transmission technology, it uses two clutches connected to two input shafts. Gear shifts and clutch operations are managed by an integrated electro-hydraulic module, eliminating the need for a clutch pedal.

[LaLily]

I often get asked about the types of automatic transmissions. As someone who commutes daily, I'd like to share my personal experience. The most common is the AT torque converter transmission, which drives as smoothly as a hot knife through butter—many American cars use this. Then there's the CVT continuously variable transmission, a favorite among Japanese cars, where you hardly feel any gear shifts, making it very fuel-efficient, though it can feel a bit weak when climbing hills. The dual-clutch DCT is quite popular now, shifting gears as fast as clicking a mouse, especially loved by German cars, but it can feel jerky in stop-and-go traffic. AMT adds automatic control to a manual transmission—it's the cheapest but noticeably jerky; I've driven shared cars with this, and it felt like being kicked in the back. Recently, there's also the electronically controlled E-CVT, designed for hybrids, which is quiet and smooth. Having driven so many, I think choosing a transmission depends on the road conditions you usually face.