What does mechanical automatic transmission mean?
3 Answers
Mechanical automatic transmission refers to the AMT automatic transmission, which consists of: torque converter, planetary gear mechanism, clutch, brake oil pump, filter, pipelines, control valve body, and speed regulator. The functions of the AMT automatic transmission are: 1. To significantly change the vehicle's driving speed and the torque on the driving wheels; 2. To enable reverse driving; 3. To enable neutral gear. The gears of the mechanical automatic transmission include: 1. P gear (Parking gear, starting gear); 2. R gear (Reverse gear); 3. N gear (Neutral gear); 4. D gear (Drive gear); 5. L gear (Low gear); 6. S gear (Sport mode); 7. OD gear (Overdrive gear).
Mechanical automatic transmission sounds fancy, but to put it simply, it's just a manual gearbox with an automatic shifting system. I've driven quite a few cars with this setup, like some compact cars equipped with AMT systems. It retains the mechanical structure of a manual transmission but uses an electronic control unit to operate the clutch and shift lever. This means you only need to engage the D gear to start driving, and the car will automatically shift up or down based on speed and RPM, completely eliminating the need to press the clutch or shift manually. Why use this? Mainly because it's cheap! Since it's based on a manual gearbox, the manufacturing cost is low, making it suitable for budget-conscious car owners. However, its drawbacks are quite noticeable—shifts can sometimes feel jerky, especially during low-speed climbs or sudden acceleration, as if a robot is shifting for you, not very smooth. It's commonly found in some economy cars, like European microcars or certain domestic models. For maintenance, you need to regularly check the electronic control components to avoid malfunctions caused by sensor failures. Overall, it's a compromise—offering convenience while eliminating the hassle of a clutch, making it suitable for beginners commuting in the city.
A friend of mine bought a car with an automated manual transmission (AMT), and after driving it for a while, he found it quite suitable for daily commuting. Essentially, it's a manual transmission converted to automatic, with the computer handling clutch operations. When driving, you only need to control the accelerator and brake—the system automatically selects gears, such as shifting from 1st to 6th, eliminating the hassle of manual gear shifting. This design is particularly beginner-friendly for those who just got their driver's license, as it removes the stress of clutch operation errors. Cost-wise, it's significantly cheaper than a traditional automatic transmission, allowing savings to be spent elsewhere. However, there are drawbacks: occasional jerks during gear shifts, especially in stop-and-go traffic, can affect comfort. Maintenance is simpler since the components resemble those of a manual transmission, requiring only regular lubrication and checks on the electronic control system. I recommend warming up the system for a minute before driving to reduce jerking. Overall, it's a practical choice, particularly advantageous in congested urban traffic.
