1. Differential
   Belt
2. Clutch

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

1. Layshaft
   Belt
2. Collar

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

1. With magnets
   With dog teeth
2. With hydraulics

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

1. Elite motor oil
   Synchronizers
2. Equalizers

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.

1. Clutch pedal and gears
   Clutch pedal and gear shift
2. Clutch pedal and steering wheel

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

1. A series of four gears
   Planetary gearset
2. Planetary hydraulics

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

1. Second gear
   Third gear
2. Fourth gear

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.

1. The sump
   The governor
2. The gear pump

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 and feeds it to the hydraulic system.

1. The governor
   The gear pump
2. The sump

The governor is connected to the output, so the faster the car moves, the faster the governor spins.

1. Throttle valve
   Vacuum modulator
2. Manual valve

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.

1. Continuously Variable Transmission
   Compact Vehicle Transmission
2. Connecting Vortex Turbine

A continuously variable transmission is a type of transmission with nearly infinite gear ratios.

1. Transmission for race cars
   Manual transmission
2. Automatic transmission

The continuously variable transmission is based on the automatic transmission.

1. It keeps track of how fast the car has gone.
   It's a gauge in the dashboard that shows what gear the car is in.
2. It's a gauge in the dashboard that shows the engine’s rpms.

The tachometer tells the driver how fast the engine is moving, measured in rpms.

1. The maximum rpm value above which the engine cannot go without exploding
   The light that tells passengers to put on their seat belts
2. A type of oil that makes the transmission faster

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

1. The redline on the tachometer helps the driver know when to shift.
   The redline tells the driver what gear the car is in.
2. The redline tells the driver when to change the transmission fluid.

If the tachometer’s needle approaches the redline, the driver should change to the next gear to reduce the engine’s speed.

1. Manual
   CVT
2. Automatic

Though manual transmissions were traditionally the most efficient, the latest CVTs are helping auto manufacturers boost their fuel economy numbers.

1. It reminds the driver to "hold" in the clutch while in neutral.
   It shows the shift pattern.
2. It tells the driver where to put his or her "hand."

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

1. Better fuel economy
   it’s the cheapest.
2. It’s powered by hybrid batteries.

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.

1. It goes backwards.
   The clutch pedal falls off.
2. Nothing except a lot of noise

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.

1. Worn-out tires
   Tire damage
2. Transmission damage

If a four-wheel drive car or truck is towed with wheels on the ground, it will damage the transmission.

1. All cars
   Hybrid cars
2. Tow vehicles

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

1. Yes, it needs a lot of special tools.
   No, it’s easy to do at home.
2. No, you should buy a car that already has one.

Transmission coolers usually come in kits with everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to perform the installation.

1. It won’t. They’re leak-proof.
   The car won’t start.
2. There will be a puddle on the ground.

A leak from the transmission will leave a slick puddle underneath the front middle section of the car.

1. Blue
   Red or brown
2. Red or green

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

1. More than 500 years ago
   Right before 1997, when the first Toyota Prius came out in Japan
2. Right before 1996, when the General Motors EV1 came out

The CVT was first conceptualized more than 500 years ago, but it took a long time for engineers to actually make it cost-effective and efficient.

1. Never
   At every oil change
2. Every couple of years

Transmission fluid should be kept fresh for best performance, which means changing it every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.

1. No, they have a pulley system.
   No, the gears are on a grid instead of in a box.
2. Yes.

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

1. It’s caused by a bad tachometer.
   It’s caused by a bad clutch.
2. It’s caused by heavy engine load.

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

1. No
   Yes
2. yes, but only with an aftermarket performance kit

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.

1. Lots of performance cars still have them
   They are faster.
2. They don't wear out as fast.

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.