What is the difference between DCT and automatic transmission?
2 Answers
The differences between DCT and automatic transmission are as follows: 1. DCT: Belongs to automatic transmission and is a dual-clutch transmission. The principle of dual-clutch, simply put, consists of two sets of manual transmissions. Generally, adjacent gears are staggered and arranged on two sets of gears, with two clutches respectively controlling the connection and disconnection of the two sets of gears with the engine. The most remarkable feature of dual-clutch is that it can pre-engage the next gear to be shifted (the gear set where the pre-engaged gear is located is in a state of disconnection from the engine). When it is time to shift to this gear, it only needs to disengage the originally engaged clutch while engaging the other clutch to complete the shift. 2. Automatic transmission: The engine's power is transmitted through the transmission, which is also a key factor affecting fuel consumption. Generally, automatic transmissions consume more than 10% more fuel than manual transmissions. Whether manual or automatic, the more gears a transmission has, the more fuel-efficient it is. Automatic transmissions use planetary gear mechanisms for shifting and can automatically shift based on the degree of throttle pedal and changes in vehicle speed. The driver only needs to operate the accelerator pedal to control the speed.
I've been driving a taxi for ten years and have mastered both types of transmissions. The automatic transmission uses a torque converter, which transmits power through hydraulic fluid, making gear shifts as smooth as sailing, especially suitable for driving in traffic jams without any jerking. However, it has higher power loss and fuel consumption compared to manual transmissions. DCT is essentially a computer-controlled manual transmission, using two sets of clutches that alternate to work, shifting gears as fast as a race car, making overtaking on highways particularly thrilling. But DCT tends to jerk when following cars at low speeds, and it can overheat and trigger alarms during prolonged summer traffic jams. If you drive in the city every day, I recommend a regular automatic transmission for peace of mind; if you often drive on highways, DCT can save you a lot on fuel costs.