Which Transmission is Right For You?

Discover Which Transmission Type Fits Your Driving Style

You have a lot on your mind as you are shopping for a vehicle. The price tag, various features, and safety ratings are all important factors. But don’t overlook transmission. When you drive, you need to feel in control, and you need to feel comfortable operating the vehicle.

Four different transmissions are available in vehicles today. Each one has benefits, but some types might be more appealing to you and might better suit your driving style. Learn about how each type works and why one or the other may be right for your daily driving. Then, you can come by the dealership of Bob Tyler Toyota and explore which cars have which types of transmission. Our team can help you decide which one to select.

This article will give you an overview of each of the four types of transmission, how they function, and what the advantages are. With this information, you can find a vehicle with the transmission you prefer.

Manual Transmission

Although manual transmission is not as common in vehicles as it once was, you can still find it. Manual transmission is often an option in trucks and high-performance cars. Its most common feature is the distinctive stick shift in the center console between the seats. The driver operates it while driving to change the car from one gear to the next. This occurs during acceleration and slowing down. There is also a third pedal on the floor, the clutch pedal. The driver operates it with his or her left foot and must press it all the way when starting the car, pulling out, and in tandem with the stick shift when changing gears.

Some people stay away from manual transmission because it can be difficult to learn, but there are benefits, including:

• Manual transmission costs less to repair and service than other types.
• Manual transmission lets the driver feel more in control of the vehicle.
• The vehicle with manual transmission ordinarily gets better gas mileage than other types.
• Vehicles with this transmission usually cost less.

Automatic Transmission

Automatic transmission is the opposite of manual transmission. Instead of having to use a stick shift and clutch pedal to change gears, the vehicle does all this for you. The car will change from one gear to the next as you increase speed and slow down. Today, this is the most common type of transmission available.

It has the following advantages:

• The shifting process on automatic transmission is seamless and smooth.
• Automatic transmission is ideal for city driving in stop-and-go conditions.
• There are no additional steps to learn in the shifting process, making this appealing for new drivers.

Continuously Variable Transmission

Instead of having fixed gears like other transmission types, continuously variable-speed transmission (CVT) uses a belt and pulley system. It also has an infinite number of gear ratios. Also called CVT, this type of transmission is growing in popularity and is most often on cars and smaller SUVs.

You’ll like the following benefits it offers:

• Cars with this type of transmission have good gas economy.
• CVT puts the driver in firm control of the vehicle.
• With CVT, the vehicle provides a smooth ride, even in difficult conditions.
• Like automatic transmission, it is easy to learn and operate.

Semi-Automatic Transmission

If you’re looking for a good mixture of automatic and manual transmission, semi-automatic transmission is a good option. Although there is no clutch pedal on the floor, the driver can shift from gear to gear manually. However, the driver does not do this by using a stick shift but rather paddles or buttons on or close to the steering wheel. A growing number of vehicles have semi-automatic transmission.

Some of the key benefits of using this type include the following:

• Sports cars and other high-performance vehicles benefit greatly from semi-automatic transmission.
• It is easier to learn than manual transmission but allows the driver to have more engagement than automatic transmission.
• Semi-automatic transmission offers good control of the vehicle.

Come Shop Your Next Vehicle at Bob Tyler Toyota

It can be stressful shopping for a vehicle. Ease your anxiety by understanding the different types of transmission that you could find in a car. Each of these four has some appealing characteristics. The team at Bob Tyler Toyota in Pensacola, FL, can guide you through the process of choosing one that you feel good about. Come to the dealership today and see which vehicles meet your preferences and budget.