Transmission Quiz

The clutch connects the transmission to the engine. The input shaft of the transmission therefore turns at the same rpm as the engine.

The collar can slide left or right along the shaft to engage one of the gears.

Dog teeth on the collar fit into holes on the sides of the gears to engage them.

A synchronizer's purpose is to allow the collar and the gear to make frictional contact before the dog teeth make contact. This lets the collar and the gear synchronize their speeds before the teeth need to engage.

An automatic transmission lacks a clutch pedal and gear shift. Once you put the transmission into drive, the car does everything else for you (thus, "automatic").

As opposed to a manual transmission that has many different sets of gears, an automatic transmission's planetary gearset — also known as epicyclic gearing — enables the same set of gears to produce all the different ratios.

Most automatic transmissions have a 1:1 ratio in third gear. It means that the drive shaft (engine) is spinning three times for every one tire rotation.

Located in the cover of the transmission, the gear pump feeds the transmission cooler and the torque converter. It also draws fluid from a sump in the bottom of the transmission through displacement and feeds it to the hydraulic system.

The governor is a valve that is connected to the output, so the faster the car moves, the faster the governor spins, which opens it and raises the pressure of the fluid flowing through it.

The manual valve is what the shift lever hooks up to. Depending on which gear is selected, the manual valve feeds hydraulic circuits that inhibit certain gears.

A continuously variable transmission is a type of transmission with nearly infinite gear ratios. This type of device is also called a shiftless transmission, a stepless transmission or a pulley transmission.

The continuously variable transmission is based on the automatic transmission. This type of transmission generally creates fewer emissions and gives a smooth ride.

The tachometer is a gauge on the dashboard that tells the driver how fast the engine is moving, measured in RPMs, which measure how many times the engine's crankshaft is rotating each minute.

The redline, which is usually illustrated on the tachometer by, well, a red line, tells the driver when the engine is moving so fast it is at risk of damage.

If the tachometer’s needle approaches the redline, the driver should change to the next gear to reduce the engine’s speed. Higher gears result in lower RPM (until the engine is near its maximum output).

Though manual transmissions were traditionally the most efficient, the latest CVTs are helping auto manufacturers boost their fuel economy numbers by allowing a limitless number of gear ratios so the transmission can always be a peak efficiency.

The “H” (or a similar shape) is a diagram that shows the driver where to move the lever for each gear.

The CVT is designed to help the engine run as efficiently as possible, which maximizes fuel economy better than a manual or a regular automatic. This allows the vehicle to get the maximum output out of the battery.

Since the reverse gear moves in a different direction than the other gears, the dog teeth won’t engage, and the car can’t go into reverse. It would be like shifting the car into neutral

Towing a vehicle by its drive wheels will damage the transmission, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle has nothing BUT drive wheels. If a four-wheel-drive car or truck is towed with wheels on the ground, even in neutral, it will damage the transmission. Towing can be done on a flatbed truck or trailer.

In most vehicles, the transmission fluid is enough to keep the transmission from overheating. The transmissions in tow vehicles work extra hard, however, and a transmission cooler helps it perform at its best.

Transmission coolers usually come in kits with everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to perform the installation, and there's plenty of information online to walk you through the process.

A leak from the transmission will leave a slick puddle underneath the front middle section of the car. Don't put off repairs for this vital part of your vehicle!

Fresh transmission fluid is red, but older fluid often has a brown tinge.

The CVT was first conceptualized more than 500 years ago by none other than Leonardo da Vinci, but it took a long time for engineers to actually make it cost-effective and efficient.

Transmission fluid should be kept fresh for best performance, which means changing it every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the vehicle is used for towing, the fluid may need to be changed more often.

Even though the term “gearbox” is sometimes used interchangeably with “transmission,” continuously variable transmissions actually use a pulley system instead.

When a car is accelerating hard or under heavy throttle, the automatic transmission can have a hard time keeping up and can feel slow or sluggish.

Even though the driver doesn’t need an extra pedal to operate the clutch, it’s still an important part of an automatic transmission car.

Manual transmissions tend to be preferred by people who drive sports cars, so a higher percentage of sports cars offer manuals, which in turn makes some people believe they’re better.

A Dual-clutch transmission uses two separate clutches for even and odd gears. Basically, it's two separate manual transmissions working together. It can be used in an automatic mode, or have drivers manually shift in a semi-automatic mode.

Although automatic transmissions are gaining ground in every market, Europe and Japan have far more vehicles with manual transmissions than the U.S. In 2016, more than 80% of vehicles were manuals in Europe and Japan; in the U.S., the number is closer to 4%.

Don't ignore the signs of a transmission in distress! The difference between a repair and a replacement can hit you hard in the wallet, so be aware of any warning signs.

The clutch will give you plenty of signs that it's starting to show its age. It can feel spongey, it might pulsate or it could even remain stuck to the floor. Basically, when it starts acting differently, it's time to take it into the shop. It might just need adjusting or it could be time for a replacement.

Besides being easier to maintain and getting better gas mileage (although automatic transmission technology is narrowing this gap), they are also a deterrent to theft because not all thieves can drive a stick. Also, they can be more fun to drive!