What Does the Jerking Sensation in an Automatic Transmission Feel Like?
1 Answers
Automatic transmission jerking can be either occasional or occur at fixed intervals, akin to being kicked while walking. All automatic transmissions, except for continuously variable transmissions (CVT), exhibit jerking sensations to varying degrees, with the most severe cases found in four-speed transmissions due to fewer gears resulting in more pronounced jerking. Automatic and manual transmissions share a common characteristic: there is a buffering process during gear shifts involving the disengagement, engagement, and synchronization of transmission gears. The smoother this process, the less noticeable the jerking sensation. At low speeds or idle, when the engine RPM and vehicle speed just meet the shifting requirements, the jerking sensation during gear shifts can be quite strong. After driving for a while, when the RPM and speed meet or even exceed the shifting standards, the jerking sensation diminishes significantly. With technological advancements, transmissions now have more gears, evolving from the initial four-speed to today's nine-speed transmissions. The more gears there are, the smaller the RPM ratio between each gear, thereby reducing the jerking sensation during shifts. The jerking sensation in automatic transmissions often results from drivers not developing good driving habits, such as continuously pressing the accelerator, causing abrupt jumps during gear shifts due to differing gear ratios. This is similar to suddenly releasing the clutch in a manual transmission. A good driving habit is to quickly release the accelerator when you sense the transmission is about to shift, which can mitigate the jerking sensation. However, continuously variable transmissions do not produce this sensation.
