A conscious approach when choosing the type of gearbox can only be done by an experienced driver. Practice shows that in most cases the first car has to be bought without having sufficient driving experience.
What to be guided by when buying, if opinions are divided among acquaintances: some advocate exclusively for an automatic machine, relying on unconditional advantages, while others cannot imagine how it is possible to drive a car with automatic transmission, because this deprives them of the opportunity to "feel" the car. Reply to this complex issue is possible only after the potential buyer learns all the subtleties and nuances of both types of boxes and in practice tries to feel the difference.
Manual transmission (manual transmission)
The primacy in the invention of the first mechanism, which was the prototype of the modern gearbox, belongs to Karl Benz. The block he invented of two shafts with pulleys of different diameters and a belt drive was able to solve one important problem. A low-power machine (0.8 hp) without this mechanism was not able to climb even a small hill. Further evolution was not without borrowings in the field of machine tool building, where a unit with gear shafts was already used to change the speed of the working shaft relative to the main one. The main task in the design of the gearbox was:
- Transfer of torque from the engine to the transmission with the possibility of changing the speed. power unit due to the nature of its work, it cannot be effectively regulated. The rotational speed increases with increasing power. The gearbox made it possible to design powerful engines capable of accelerating cars up to high speeds, the achievement of which became possible only by sequential downshifting.
- Solve the constructive problem of the system control organ in such a way that, with little effort, switch complex mechanism. Today, the mechanics of the box has been brought to almost perfection. Both women and people with disabilities can use manual transmission.
The history of the evolution of a manual transmission has more than a hundred years. During this time, enormous experience has been accumulated and thousands of experiments have been carried out. The result of this activity was a mechanism with the following characteristics:
- Manual transmission is a highly reliable mechanism;
- ease of management. The clutch and synchronizers allow you to shift gears smoothly, without jerks and with virtually no loss of power;
- mechanics are inexpensive to maintain. A well-developed service network and affordable spare parts make necessary repairs. Oil consumption is sensitively less than that of an automatic transmission or CVT:
- driving in your own style. Experienced drivers are especially fond of mechanics, who take the opportunity to fully use the potential of the car;
- Fuel economy. According to various estimates, gasoline consumption when using a manual transmission is less than an automatic transmission up to 15%.
There is no single, reference sample of a manual transmission. The advantages of one design, including economic ones, are more than offset by the disadvantages of another. Variety is more of a plus than a minus, because it gives you the opportunity to choose best option for each specific case, although sometimes this has to be sacrificed, it does not always make sense to buy or not to buy a car for one, even the most wonderful mechanism. But such subtleties are the lot of professionals, while most users are guided by general indicators. For example, the kinematic design of the box:
- Double box. The gear block is located on the driving and driven shafts. The switching mechanism is located separately from the housing and is connected to the controls by means of rods and cables. This scheme is typical for front-wheel drive cars;
- Triple box. It differs from the previous scheme by the presence of an intermediate shaft. In most cases, a three-shaft manual transmission is used in rear-wheel drive cars.
Equally important is the number of gears, that is, separate, independent modes of operation of the transmission. The first industrial gearbox had 2 positions, not counting the shift to reverse. Then, by the 60s of the last century, another one was added. Today, such a model is almost never found. The buyer will have to choose a vehicle with large quantity provisions of the manual transmission:
- Four-stage. machines, in basic configuration having similar box units remain. The industry continues to churn out spare parts to keep millions of four-speed cars running, but there are fewer of them every year;
- Five-speed. The most common design today. The vast majority of medium and budget class equipped with just such a system;
- Six-speed. Such manual transmissions are installed exclusively on sports and heavy-duty cars in order to make more efficient use of torque. Appeared boxes with seventh gear, rather promising developments than the reality of the coming years, although such models already exist. Some manufacturers, however, design boxes with eighth gear.
The timing of gear changes is under the control of the driver. With skillful use, this gives advantages in the dynamics of overclocking and when switching to economy mode.
Automatic transmission (automatic transmission)
They tried to change the traditional handle for a more advanced mechanism in the first third of the last century. The idea was successfully realized only in 1947 in Buick models roadmaster. In 1960, the Americans approved the current switch marking standard with letters functions - P-R-N-D-L. Automatic transmission should not be confused with robotic boxes, which are complete analogues conventional mechanics With electronic control or servos and variators, which generally operate in stepless mode. Unlike a standard machine, they are more expensive to repair, and are serviced mainly in special dealer centers which are not always easy to find. Classic automatic transmission is considered to be the one in which hydromechanical principle work. This box consists of the following items:
- planetary mechanism. The main part of the automatic transmission. A set of gears that switch automatically and provide operation in several modes, the number of which means the number of declared gears.
- Torque converter. Continuously transmits torque to the driven shaft.
- Hydromanagement. The system of mechanisms that switches the planetary gearbox.
- Oil pump. Provides lubrication for all automatic transmission parts.
- Cooling radiator. It effectively cools working fluid protecting the entire system from overheating.
In addition to the above elements, which are basic, there are other mechanisms in the automatic transmission. Their number and functionality may vary significantly in various models. The advantages of the machine are the following qualities:
- Eliminates the need to manually shift gears - the most great dignity automatic transmission;
- Increase in engine resource. The automatic machine does not allow the engine to work in critical modes, which has a beneficial effect on the condition and performance of individual mechanisms and assemblies. The control system is designed in such a way that it does not go beyond the specified parameters during operation;
- Facilitates movement on wet and slippery road. This quality is especially valuable for inexperienced drivers.
In addition to the advantages, the machine also has disadvantages that should be considered when buying a car:
- Price. The difference in price for the same car model, but with different transmission essential and sometimes becomes decisive when choosing:
- Expensive service. This applies to both the repair of the box in the event of its failure, and the regulations. To change the oil, you need to purchase the recommended one, the amount of which is significantly more than is poured into the manual transmission;
- Dynamics. The automatic transmission accelerates slowly, and all shifts are controlled by automatics, which not every driver likes;
- Inconvenience of movement in the event of a breakdown. In most cases, a tow truck is needed to move. Towing a car with a machine gun will not work, as well as starting it from the “pusher”.
Fundamental differences between mechanics and automatic
The difference in driving a car with an automatic transmission relative to the ability to drive a car equipped with a manual transmission is significant, and this is reflected in the laws of many countries.
There are two types of rights. First - the exam is taken in a car with a machine gun without a driving license vehicle equipped with mechanics. The second - training and testing is carried out on a car with a manual transmission. The issued document gives the owner the right to manage both the mechanics and the machine. This is reasonable, since a person who has never used classical mechanics does not have the skills to use it and, in principle, is not able to drive a car with a manual transmission. The opposite situation, when the driver switches from automatic to manual, does not cause any difficulties. Summarizing the information, the following differences between the two types of boxes can be distinguished:
- Price. Automatic is more expensive. The difference can reach $1,000 or more.
- Comfort. Automatic transmission completely frees the driver from the need to be distracted by gear changes. In a car with a manual transmission, it is necessary to switch to another speed in time and consistently.
- Repair. The mechanics are much cheaper to maintain than the machine. Spare parts are more affordable and repairs can be made in almost any service station or even on your own.
- Weight. The automatic transmission is heavier. The factor is not so significant, but it should not be discounted.
- Control. cardinal differences. The mechanics gives complete freedom to the driver, and fully open dynamic potential car can only be with manual transmission. However, some modern models Automatic transmissions and CVTs come close to mechanics in these parameters, but they cost more.
- Fuel economy. Manual transmission allows the owner of the car to choose optimal modes engine operation. The more driving experience, the more effectively this advantage is used.
- Impact on the resource of the car. Mechanics allows the use of critical engine modes, which does not have the best effect on the service life power plant and transmissions. You have to pay for the dynamics and pleasure to fully feel all the possibilities inherent in the car accelerated wear some units and assemblies. The machine is much more careful with the machine. The machine does not allow exceeding the set threshold parameters and during operation the machine withstands all the terms guaranteed by the manufacturer for all systems.
Experienced drivers and instructors advise to be trained on machines with mechanics. Transferring to a car with automatic transmission is not difficult. In addition, this will provide an opportunity to personally compare the types of transmission and choose the option that you like. Retraining for mechanics is equivalent to re-learning to drive.
Cars with an automatic are more expensive, and if the difference in price is fundamental, then you have to stop at the mechanics. However, the criteria for choosing are often different - cars with automatic transmission are chosen for the sake of convenience and ease of learning. Women and people who do not want to burden themselves with unnecessary skills are especially fond of cars with machine guns. I must admit that in urban conditions, with a lot of traffic lights and traffic jams, the need to accurately park - an automatic machine is preferable.
A long time ago (but not last Friday), when I was working on a Talmud about, I came across this message - so to speak, from the section "Their manners." I quote:
“Two armed teenagers from the US state of Georgia robbed a man, taking his wallet and keys to a Honda Accord. However, they could not steal it because they had never seen a box with a manual gearshift in their lives! The only thing they managed to get to work was the radio.”
Americans have long lost the habit of everything manual - from boxes, power windows, etc. This is their choice. What do we have? Again, I recall an incident from my own life. More than ten years ago, when for the first time in my life - it was an S60 with an automatic - then one colleague, nodding approvingly, nevertheless asked the question:Mikhail Vladimirovich! And what, didn’t it work out with the mechanics?
Here I was already in a stupor. The colleague was not joking - he sincerely did not understand how it is possible to voluntarily "ride on the machine"? True, later he nevertheless “changed his orientation”, although he was an athlete to the marrow of his bones. But then another colleague, also a "racer", supported him. Say, I want me to drive the car, not the car me!
Personally, such arguments seem far-fetched to me. Of course, you can transfer manual control of all mechanisms to the driver - there were once cars with manual control of the ignition timing. But it was done all the same out of poverty: today such decisions are only appropriate for an attraction. The auto industry, it seems to me, has also made its choice. In any case, the conditional price bar, beyond which only the machine reigns, is falling lower and lower. But A- and so far allow for "pluralism" of opinions - there are both mechanics with handles and automatic machines. Solaris, Logans, Rio - you never know ...
Let's try to put together all the pros and cons of manual transmissions and automatic machines. Let's clarify right away - basically we will talk about the most advanced and most massive for today. It is these boxes that are still installed on prestigious and expensive cars. We will deal with it in a separate article.
Manual Transmission
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Automatic transmission
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As for the arguments that someone wants to actively drive the car, I, in principle, understand them. And with horror I wait for the moment when the steering wheel completely disappears from the car - as unnecessary. Because from now on my car life will finally stop. I will not sit in the driver's seat to read a book or sleep. However, of course, I'm getting ahead of myself ... But not very far.
Which is better - "mechanics" or "automatic"? Before discussing this topic, it is worth giving brief description both gearboxes.
Manual transmission (manual transmission)It is a transmission unit, a multi-stage gear reducer. It is designed to change torque where gears are shifted manually. It is designed to obtain the optimal value at any speed in different conditions at the expense of (another name - steps) manually. The principle of operation of this gearbox is based on the kinematic connection at different stages of the output and input shafts different combinations of gears and
Peculiarities automatic box gears (automatic transmission)
This transmission provides automatic selection based on the respective movement and other factors. Unlike a mechanical one, it selects the steps itself, without the participation of the driver. In the most famous "machine" of his mechanical part performs its action using planetary gears and a hydromechanical drive instead of the usual one. The clutch is replaced by a torque converter. There are such designs of "automatic machines" in which the torque converter performs its work with an ordinary three- or twin-shaft box gears. However this decision less commonly used.
And yet, which is better: "mechanics" or "automatic"?
If we talk about ease of operation, then the "automatic" is superior to the "mechanics". If you drive on the highway - the difference is imperceptible. However, if you need to overtake, then you need to switch to the manual gearbox for overclocking. downshift. Considering the question of which is better: "mechanics" or "automatic", it is worth noting that the second is superior to the first while driving in traffic jams. With it, you do not need to press the clutch pedal and constantly pull the gearbox handle. It is also very convenient to drive uphill with automatic transmission: you just need to release the brake pedal, press the gas and go. However, if the question is: "Which is better - "mechanics" or "automatic"?" considered in terms of fuel consumption, the first option is superior to the second. The difference is about one litre. You can reduce the flow if you do not press the gas sharply - everything should be smooth. IN
Automatic transmission oil is filled up to right level, the plug is twisted and it remains only occasionally to monitor it in order to avoid oil leakage. In manual transmissions, oil is changed every few years. If on a car with automatic transmission, then it will not be possible to start it from a tugboat - diagnostics will be required. This is because the "automatic" does not have a rigid clutch with the engine. If it turns out that the gearbox is damaged, it will need to be repaired. You can contact the service, where everything will be done efficiently and quickly enough, or you can repair the gearbox yourself, but it will take much more time.
Even 10-15 years ago, most Russian drivers were perplexed if one of the experienced car colleagues “changed orientation” and changed to an “automatic”. I can’t even believe that now almost all cars of classes “A” and “B” can be equipped with both manual and automatic gearboxes. Let's try to identify all the pros and cons of both gearboxes in order to understand which of the transmissions will end up being better.
The confrontation of motorists about which gearbox is better to choose is unlikely to ever stop. Fans of "mechanics" believe that the "automatic" is the lot of women and "dummies". It seems like you don’t even need to think - the car will turn everything on for you. But brutal men choose only a "pen". We do not agree with such categoricalness: everything must be approached wisely. And even more so to the choice of transmission on the car. Obviously, trudging through a multi-kilometer traffic jam, which are so common on metropolitan roads, you will curse the mechanical version of the transmission “for real men” - the comfort from the automatic transmission when driving at rush hour is more obvious. On the contrary, it is stupid without the need to move to country road, if you have an "automatic", albeit in a jeep. In addition, the option with a "handle" will make the car more manageable on snowy roads. However, in order to come to an unambiguous decision which type of transmission suits your driving style best, you should first understand how both gearboxes work.
On the "mechanics" the driver is directly involved in choosing the desired gear. To roughly describe this process, the motorist must first turn on the “neutral”, then turn off the clutch, shift into gear, and then the car will go. You need to get under way from first gear, and then, as you accelerate, switch to a higher one. The engine will tell you about the need to change gear. He will “growl” if the driving speed is high, and you forgot to change the gear, and, on the contrary, when driving slowly in a high gear, the car will simply stall. However, these are the basics that are taught in a driving school. Understand.
For cars with automatic transmission, the principle of operation is different. Of course, "automatic" "automatic" strife. There are many types of automatic transmissions in the world. Surely you have heard of the "variator" or "robot"? Now we are talking about the third, most common - the classic version. Here, the torque converter takes over the role of the main one, that is, the car itself changes gears. The driver only needs to select the selector and, as necessary, press the brake or gas pedal.
For those who like to drive
Opponents of "automatic" put forward the main argument in favor of "mechanics" that only this transmission can fully unlock the potential of the engine. With a manual transmission, with some skill in shifting gears and tracking torque, you will spin the engine in a matter of seconds by “putting” the tachometer needle into the “red zone”. Standard "machines" here lose for a few seconds. A car on automatic transmission accelerates smoothly, gradually switching gears when a certain engine speed is reached (unless, of course, manual mode). However, as compensation, the “automatic” will save the motor from overheating, overloads and rapid wear, and will also do without excessive injection of fuel into the combustion chamber.
However, if you do not want to give up automatic transmission, and the feeling of drive is not enough - save money for an expensive sports car. Automakers have long invented even eight-speed automatic transmissions that allow the car to reach 100 km / h in just 3-4 seconds. For example, Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche. As they say, any whim for your money.
More a budget option- buy an "automatic" with sports mode making the car more dynamic. Of course, it’s far from a full-fledged “mechanics”, but the feeling of drive is provided.
Winter Benefits
The advantages of "mechanics" are especially felt in winter period. Let's start with the fact that very coldy most car owners switch to the subway because they could not start their car. “For rent” are mainly owners of “automatic machines”, because a car with a manual transmission is much easier to start even in severe frost. Firstly, the volume of oil in the box is less. Secondly, you can press the clutch pedal and disconnect the transmission from the engine, and then at start-up the load on the engine will be less.
In addition, if the battery has sat down overnight, then the owners of a car with "mechanics" often ask someone. Another option is to push the car, and the driver can start it on the go. Owners of cars on the "machine" will not be able to turn such a trick. They are generally less likely to even tritely skid the car in Right place. We already wrote earlier that a car with an "automatic": automakers recommend using the services of tow trucks if necessary. But the “mechanics” can be towed to any distance on a flexible or rigid hitch without any problems.
Some motorists, choosing whether to buy them an "automatic" or "mechanics", lean towards the latter because of winter driving. In icy conditions, you can slow down by downshifting on a manual gearbox.
And finally, what to do if the car is stuck in a snowdrift? More with "mechanics" chances to get out. The manual gearbox becomes a sensitive and obedient tool in the hands experienced driver. You can’t say the same about the “automatic” - it is controlled by electronics. It’s not worth it to gas, trying to pull the car out with engine power, on an automatic transmission. You can easily overheat the gear oil.
Focus on the road
If mechanical transmission so many advantages, then who then suits the "automatic"? First of all, female drivers and beginners. The mechanism itself decides when to shift speed, and motorists can only press the accelerator or brake pedals, and steer, focusing all their attention on the situation on the road. Moreover, even inexperienced driver on an automatic transmission will be able to move smoothly from a place on a hillock or a traffic light, without creating emergency and without burning clutch discs in the process of gaining experience. Yes, and in a traffic jam, driving an “automatic” is much more comfortable.
The greater durability of the transmission also speaks in favor of the “automatic”, since the constant jerking of the “handle” of the gearbox and squeezing the clutch negatively affects this unit.
It is worth emphasizing once again that although the acceleration dynamics of a car with automatic transmission leaves much to be desired compared to the "mechanics", but this allows you to extend the life of the engine due to well-thought-out gear shifts at certain engine speeds.
For special fans of the “handle”, automakers have invented a robotic gearbox and a variator, which are designed to eliminate all the shortcomings of the “machine”, taking into account the advantages of a manual gearbox.
Issue price
However, you can write laudatory odes as much as you like. different options transmissions, but the majority opts for one or another checkpoint, considering first of all financial side question. And here almost everything is not in favor of the "machine".
The price of a car with an automatic transmission is 30-50 thousand rubles higher than for an analogue with a manual transmission. Yes, and fuel consumption on the "automatic" will be 10-15 percent more than on the "mechanics". Of course, it all depends on the driving style of the driver. There is also a reverse situation, if the motorist likes to brake sharply, accelerate unnecessarily and often re-gas when changing gears. However, this is more the exception than the rule. In addition, fans of the "handle" have long mastered the ride "coasting", saving additional drops of fuel.
Automatic transmission maintenance also comes out much more expensive, manual transmission weeks. For example, an oil change. In an automatic transmission, this procedure must be done after about 60 thousand kilometers, but the “mechanics” are less whimsical and can drive on the same lubricant up to 90 thousand kilometers. In addition, the volume of oil in the automatic transmission is 6-9 liters versus 3-4 liters of cheaper fluid for a manual gearbox.
Obviously, any repair of an automatic transmission will be more costly than patching up the “mechanics”. Therefore, it makes sense to take new car with "automatic". The automatic transmission will not require any maintenance for about 60 thousand kilometers. And then you just need to change the oil, and you can go on. If you do this regularly, according to the instructions of the manufacturers, then there will be no problems with the transmission.
Verdict
If you have recently got behind the wheel or cannot master the gearshift mechanism in any way, and finances allow, take the “automatic” without hesitation and enjoy driving. If there are not enough funds, “mechanics” will also be a good option: you will get invaluable experience, and the manual transmission will no longer “blow your brain out”. Matter of habit.
Well, in general, of course, everyone chooses a transmission based on their needs. If comfort and easy handling of the car during the trip are of primary importance to you, then feel free to opt for the "automatic". If you want to drive and spin the engine to the limit, take a closer look at the "mechanics".
Hi all! Today's article is devoted to the types of gearboxes, their differences, advantages and disadvantages. If you do not know which gearbox is better - automatic, manual or CVT, you will find the answer below.
To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each of the boxes, you need to understand their device.
Mechanics.
Most old type automotive transmissions. Torque is transmitted through gears that are engaged and disengaged by means of a gearshift lever. The mechanism itself is designed in such a way that only one pair of gears can be turned on at a time.
The clutch serves to separate the engine and transmission. When the clutch is disengaged, the engine torque is not transmitted to the gearbox and at this time a shift is made. Driving a car on the mechanics, the driver feels the car to the end and controls it.
To understand how it works manual transmission I recommend watching this video:
Machine.
The mechanical part of an automatic transmission is based on planetary gears. The gearboxes are engaged by means of the so-called. clutches, which in turn are engaged by hydraulic pistons.
The operation of the machine is controlled by electric or hydraulic "brains". A torque converter is used as a clutch - in a simplified form, these are two propellers, one of which spins the other with an oil flow. Due to this, there is no constant rigid connection between the shafts and the torque is transmitted non-linearly, with an increase in speed, transmission is possible. more moment(modern automatic transmissions are able to block the torque converter and due to this they save fuel great).
To understand the principle of automatic transmission, I suggest you watch this video:
Variable speed drive.
The only stepless transmission type! Pulley design variable radius invented by Leonardo Da Vinci.
The principle of operation of the variator is that the gear ratio is changed steplessly by changing the diameters of the pulleys between which the belt is stretched.
Here in this belt and pulleys lies main disadvantage are the details high degree processing from expensive high-strength materials.
Marketers given type boxes are served as modern solution allowing you to use the full power of the engine for acceleration! Yes, in fact, only the variator can smoothly change gear ratio while keeping the engine running maximum power! But the problem is that the variator transmits power very poorly, and in itself is very capricious.
All other types of boxes are able to rigidly (through gears), link the primary and secondary shaft(on modern automatic transmissions, a torque converter blocking is provided), thereby preventing slipping). In the case of a variator, a rigid connection is not possible, when the belt slips, the oil boils and sharply increases the friction force, thereby eliminating slippage, each such slippage wears out the belt and pulleys. As a result, after a run of 80-150 thousand km, the box completely fails and needs to be replaced. Contracted and restored boxes are a lottery, their resource is unknown, and new box costs 300-500 tr.
This is how the variator works:
Robot.
Robot is nothing but electronically controlled mechanical box. On robotic transmissions, the electronics control the clutch and the electronics engage the gears.
In general, the solution is not bad, but on small budget boxes there are roars when turning on gears and a delay when switching, on sports boxes with two clutches this problem is solved, but such boxes are much more expensive!
Today it is the most efficient type of automatic transmission! The disadvantages include only the inability of random (selective) gear shifting and increased complexity, and the cost of boxes with two clutches.
There you are short video about how the robotic gearbox works:
So which gearbox is better?
It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this question. tastes could not be discussed!
If you like to “drive” a car or live in the “wilderness” and corks for you are only in bottles, you don’t have a problem of choice - mechanics. The reason is simple - the most reliable type no gearbox required expensive service and expensive parts.
If you live in big city, then after the first month of operation of the car on the mechanics you will see this picture:
The cost of maintaining a car on the mechanics will be the lowest, and fuel consumption will be minimal, but this car will not be the most convenient to drive.
If most of the time you crawl through city traffic jams with their start-stop mode, you should definitely choose an automatic or CVT. Yes, the automatic machine will show higher fuel consumption, and the variator will annoy with a uniform howl of the engine during acceleration, but in the urban cycle the difference is not critical, and the clutch on the robot mechanic in traffic jams does not go more than 50-60 thousand km.
If you choose between a CVT and an automatic, I recommend choosing an automatic, since its service life is 5-6 times higher than that of a CVT, it does not require belt replacement (which is not cheap) and in extreme cases the car will retain the ability to move.
CVT after running 100,000 km on any car is a lottery! And in the event of a loss in the worst scenario, this is a “hit” for half the cost of the car.
The robotic transmission is seen as some kind of compromise between the automatic and the mechanics, but in the city driving mode the car will get frequent shifts and, most importantly, the robot cannot skip gears. Those. The automatic transmission can drop 2-3 gears down and start intensive acceleration, the robot can only switch 1 gear up or down. There is no difference in fuel consumption between the robot and mechanics and the coefficient useful action both transmissions are the same! For those who like to drive - sports versions robotic boxes provide maximum fast acceleration due to the work of two clutches.
Conclusion.
Which box to drive - it's up to you! Personally I prefer classic slot machines or mechanic. The variator is also good, but here's the repair price .... And a two-disk robot is not a thing for mass use, although overclocking with it is gorgeous!
That's all I have today. I hope that now the question “which gearbox better machine, or mechanics, or a variator?
If you have something to add to this article, or have comments on the text, leave comments.
