Car Gearbox: Types, Functions, Pros & Cons Explained

Posted on: Apr 24, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Car Gearbox: Types, Functions, Pros & Cons Explained

A gearbox is also known as a transmission system. It involves gears, actuating parts, and shafts for power transmission. The components involved in a gearbox help you switch gears and adjust speed while driving your car. To know what a is gearbox in detail, look at this comprehensive guide.

What is a car gearbox?

A car gearbox is a transmission system that includes mechanical components. The components use different gear ratios to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. The primary purpose of a car gearbox is to provide the right amount of power and torque to the wheels so that it can achieve good speed and give optimal mileage.

Parts of a car gearbox

The car gearbox is a fascinating piece of engineering that keeps your vehicle moving smoothly. Here are the parts you will find:

1. Clutch Shaft:

This is what connects the engine to the gearbox. When you engage the clutch, the shaft rotates and transfers power to the other parts. Without it, your car wouldn't budge an inch!

2. Counter Shaft:

It has multiple gears of different sizes in it. It provides the necessary torque for keeping your car running efficiently.

3. Bearings:

These work to support the shafts and reduce friction, meaning everything can run freely and smoothly.

4. Main Shaft:

Also called the output shaft, this delivers that final torque to your wheels. Keeping everything running smoothly, ensures that your car doesn't jerk around from this friction.

5. Gears:

These are the main stars! They transfer power between shafts and thus determine your vehicle's speed and torque based on its size and amount of teeth.

Different types of gearboxes in cars

Primarily, there are two types of car gearboxes: manual and automatic.

1. Manual gearbox

The driver controls the manual gearbox by choosing and setting the gears manually. It is easy to maintain and is affordable to buy. However, you should buy new car insurance when purchasing such a car to secure your uncertain future expenses.

2. Automatic gearbox

An automatic gearbox shifts gears automatically without any manual intervention. It works on electronic sensors by monitoring the vehicle's speed. Automatic gearboxes are convenient and more accessible than manual gearboxes. Buying a comprehensive insurance policy is considerable when you have an automatic gearbox car.

Furthermore, automatic gearboxes are further classified into four types:

• Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)

An AMT gearbox automates the manual gearbox by using hydraulic pressure to actuate the clutch pedal. It uses an electronic sensor similar to an automatic gearbox but with fewer components, making AMT affordable.

• Torque Converter Gearbox

This type of automatic gearbox uses fluid to transfer power to the transmission. However, due to its low fuel efficiency and high maintenance cost, its popularity has declined significantly.

• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

A CVT gearbox is a pulley system with several components that shift between preset gears. It has cones at each pulley connected with a belt that moves and changes the gear ratios.

• Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

DCT involves two clutches for odd and even gear sets, which makes it quick and smooth. When one clutch works to get the required power, the other one is engaged with the next gear to facilitate faster transitions.

Functions of the car gearbox

Here are the main functions of the car gearbox:

1. Transfer Power to the wheels:

Power from the engine goes directly to the wheels, which is optimised for performance and fuel efficiency at any speed.

2. Change Gear Ratio:

The gearbox changes the gear ratio according to your speed and road conditions. It makes sure you can shift between gears smoothly, whether you are cruising or fighting through traffic.

3. Gives torque:

It will multiply the engine torque so that your car does not find any issues while crossing steep inclines or heavy loads.

4. Control over speed:

It lets you have control over your car's speed. You may accelerate or decelerate according to the requirement by just choosing the right gear.

Keep the gearbox well maintained as it affects the performance and even reliability factors which are taken into account by comprehensive car insurers.

How does a car gearbox work?

The gearbox allows power from your engine to transmit to your vehicle's wheels at different speeds when you're speeding up. Changes to gears determine the shifting gear ratio, the speed and the output torque of your engine, thus helping enhance the engine when driving. With a manual car, you physically change gears using a lever, while with an automatic, the gearbox senses when to change for you. Whether you're researching car insurance online or looking at comprehensive car insurance, you can consider that a well-running gearbox makes for better-performing vehicles and may help lower your premiums.

Advantages and disadvantages of manual gearbox

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of a manual gearbox to look out for when exploring comprehensive car insurance options:

• Advantages

1. Manual gearboxes are much cheaper to service and repair.

2. You can have complete control in gear shifting which makes the driving experience more exciting.

3. They generally provide better fuel consumption, which saves you plenty over time.

• Disadvantages

1. It may take some time for new drivers to get accustomed to shifting gears smoothly.

2. Driving in heavy traffic is quite tiring as you have to press the clutch continuously.

3. Some people find it a bit difficult to handle steep hills without stalling.

Advantages and disadvantages of automatic gearbox

Following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of an automatic gearbox. Keep these in mind when exploring car insurance online:

• Advantages:

1. It is much easier to drive, especially during heavy traffic conditions, as it does not require constant shifting gears.

2. The shifting of gears is quick and smooth, thus offering a more relaxed ride.

3. It's comfortable, especially in long drives, and gives comparable mileage to that of manual gearboxes.

• Disadvantages:

1. Automatic transmission engines are usually more expensive to replace and repair when there is a breakdown.

2. They are also often heavier as opposed to manual transmissions and can hinder fuel efficiency.

3. It can be less adaptable to off-the-road driving due to its less direct control.

Conclusion

Manual and automatic gearboxes have their own pros and cons, but automatic gearboxes have more advanced features than manual ones. Manual gearboxes do not always offer high mileage; however, they are still cheaper than automatic gearboxes.

FAQs

1. How do I maintain my car's gearbox?

You need to keep checking fluid levels and driving habits to keep your transmission in check so that it can last longer for a positive impact on comprehensive car insurance coverage.

2. What is the difference between a manual and automatic transmission?

Manual gearboxes provide you with total control over the gear change, while automatic gearboxes shift for you, offering a more laid-back driving experience.

3. Can a faulty gearbox impact my car insurance?

Yes, if the gearbox of your car fails and it causes an accident, the claim could be affected. Hence, you should always look into keeping a check on your gearbox so that your premium for car insurance online is lower.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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