What is a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode?
3 Answers
6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode (6AT). Related introduction: 1. Brief introduction: 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode means the vehicle can be driven in either automatic mode or manual sequential shifting mode, both with 6 forward gears. In manual mode, shift the gear lever to M position, where + means upshift and - means downshift. 2. Extension: 'Box' is another name for transmission, not distinguishing between automatic and manual. Transmission box is called 'Bo Xiang' in Southern Fujian (including Taiwan Province and Hong Kong region). Automatic transmission achieves different gear ratios by using various hydraulic multi-plate clutches and brake bands to restrict or connect certain gears in the planetary gear set. Therefore, the quality of gear shifting is directly related to these clutches and brakes.
The 6-speed automatic manual transmission is essentially an intelligent system that adds manual shifting functionality to a traditional automatic transmission. Its core lies in the planetary gear set and torque converter working in tandem with six gear ratios, where the computer automatically selects the optimal gear for smooth driving. However, when you shift the gear lever to M mode or use the steering wheel paddle shifters, you can manually control gear changes like a manual transmission. This design is particularly appealing to driving enthusiasts—for instance, manually locking lower gears during mountain descents prevents brake overheating, while downshifting for overtaking delivers sharper acceleration. Though slightly more complex in structure compared to CVT continuously variable transmissions, it offers higher reliability and lower maintenance costs than dual-clutch systems.
My car is equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, and after five years of use, I find the manual mode most practical. For example, starting in second gear on snowy days prevents wheel spin, or locking into fourth gear on long descents avoids constant braking. It's best to change the transmission fluid every 40,000 kilometers; otherwise, gear shifts may become jerky. When buying a used car, pay special attention to testing the smoothness of shifting into manual mode—a friend once had a car where the manual mode got stuck, costing over two thousand to fix. In daily traffic jams, I switch to automatic mode for ease, but on weekend mountain drives, I enjoy the fun of shifting, making it a great balance between comfort and control.
