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Driving is typically an indispensable part of our lives, yet for some, the experience can be overwhelming and intimidating. Fortunately, advancements in the automobile industry have resulted in the development of automatic cars, which make driving less stressful and easier to learn. But what is an automatic car, and how does it work.
Automatic cars have revolutionised the driving experience by eliminating the need for manual gear-shifting. In this article, we’ll explore how they work and what sets them apart from traditional vehicles with manual transmission systems. From their benefits to potential drawbacks, dive into this comprehensive overview of automatic vehicles.
Table Of Contents
What Is An Automatic Car?
An automatic car has an automatic transmission that allows it to shift gears without the driver having to do it manually. The term ‘transmission’ refers to the vehicle’s gearbox, which is in charge of directing the rotational force and speed of a car. Automatic transmission cars have automatic gearboxes, allowing them to change gears on their own.
How Does Automatic Transmission Work?
Automatic transmission works by executing gear changes automatically, which the driver would otherwise have to do. To achieve that, the vehicle needs various components to work simultaneously. Here are some of the key elements required for automatic transmissions to work:
- Torque Converter: Not all automatic types have this, but the torque converter is an essential component of the transmission system based on it, transferring power from your engine to the transmission via hydraulic fluid. This ensures that the vehicle engine stays running even when the car is not moving.
- Planetary Gears: If your car had a single forward gear and a torque converter, its speed would be limited due to the engine’s operating range and torque production ability. This is why an automatic transmission uses a set of planetary gears to create several gear ratios for gear changing.
- Brake Bands and Clutches: Brake bands and clutches are responsible for changing gears in the planetary gearset. Brake bands constrict to keep a specific gear stationary or loosen to allow that gear to spin. The combination of stationary and spinning gears in the gearset produces a separate gear ratio.
When driving an automatic car, you need to shift into the ‘Drive’ gear to activate the system. By pressing the accelerator pedal, the engine’s crankshaft begins to rotate faster, causing more pressure within the torque converter. The transmission’s hydraulics and electronics detect the vehicle’s speed in relation to engine speed as it moves forward, and the transmission automatically changes gears in response.
Automatic vehicles are more sensitive to sudden movements, so avoid sudden acceleration or braking to avoid jerky or unsafe driving.
Differences Between Automatic and Manual Cars
There are several differences between automatic and manual transmissions on the market today. Consider the following factors when deciding between an automatic and a manual car:
- Driving Experience: Automatic cars are much easier to drive than manual cars because their gearboxes switch gears themselves, allowing you to pay attention to the road. Manuals, on the other hand, include a third pedal called a clutch pedal, which is slightly smaller than the brake pedal and is to be controlled by you.
- Fuel Usage: The first set of automatic cars consumed more fuel than their manual counterparts due to their automatic clutch pedal. However, the US Department of Energy reports that modern automatic vehicles are equally or even more efficient than manual automobiles of the same model.
- Acceleration: Manual cars may accelerate faster than their automatic counterparts because the automatic transmission will need a few seconds to decide whether to downshift or upshift. This is less and less the case as the automatic transmission technology progresses, though.
- Availability: Manual transmission is still way more common worldwide, although the automatic counterpart has almost completely taken over the market in North America. However, automatic cars are becoming more popular in other regions as well.
Types Of Automatic Cars
Here are some of the types of automatic transmission systems available in modern vehicles:
- Torque Converter Automatic Transmission: These transmission vehicles operate by connecting a hydraulic fluid coupling or a torque converter to the engine’s electronic control unit, allowing the transmission to take control of the vehicle.
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): This transmission uses variable-width pulleys and a belt, which allows for unlimited gear ratios.
- Semi-automatic Transmission: This type of automatic transmission has a clutch pedal similar to those in manual transmission cars. Sensors, pneumatics, processors and an actuator control the clutch pedal via electrohydraulic means.
- Dual-clutch Transmission: A dual-clutch transmission contains two clutches instead of one. The first clutch controls the odd gears, while the other operates the even gears.
- Tiptronic Transmission: These automatic transmissions allow you to switch between automatic and manual gears for better car control.
How To Drive An Automatic Car
To drive an automatic car, you must pay attention to controlling the gear selector. The gear selector has five modes:
- Park: Put the gear selector in this mode when starting the car. This position locks the transmission, preventing the wheels from turning.
- Reverse: Select the reverse gear when you want to reverse.
- Neutral: When you set the gear to neutral, the wheels become unlocked but receive no power. This gear is used for towing the vehicle.
- Drive: The drive gear is used for normal driving. Transmission changes automatically between the first, second and third gears.
- Overdrive: The overdrive mode is not present in all vehicles. In cars that have it, ‘overdrive’ allows you to move at higher speeds.
In contrast to manual transmission cars, you should only use one foot to operate the gas and brake pedals in an automatic vehicle. Using both feet can result in unintended acceleration or sudden stops.
Automatic Vehicles: Pros Vs Cons
Here are the major advantages and disadvantages of owning automatic vehicles:
Pros
- They’re easier to use in heavy traffic. While manual transmissions are difficult to start, stop and speed up, you can control automatic transmission cars by pushing one pedal.
- The transmission switches quickly and easily in automatic vehicles.
- An automatic transmission car is easier to learn to drive than a manual car.
- They are better in areas with hills.
Cons
- Automatic transmissions are more expensive to buy and maintain than manual transmission vehicles.
- Many would argue that driving a manual car gives you a much better feeling and is more fun than driving an automatic car because of shifting gears.
Is An Automatic Car Right For You?
An automatic car is right for you if you’re just learning how to drive because driving a manual transmission can be overwhelming. You should select an automatic transmission if you want to enjoy a simple and laid-back driving experience. It also allows you to pay less attention to the complexities of driving and focus more on other important factors, such as seeing the surroundings and understanding traffic laws and signs.
Hire an automatic car from SDVH and enjoy driving in its easiest form. WWe offer a range of vehicles in our fleet to suit different needs, including the Ford Mondeo Automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is Better: An Automatic Or A Manual?
An automatic is better than a manual in some areas, while a manual vehicle tops automatic ones in others. Modern automatic cars are fuel-efficient and generally easier to drive since they don’t require you to shift gears. It’s also easier to learn how to drive an automatic car than a manual vehicle. On the other hand, a manual transmission gives you better control over the vehicle.
Is An Automatic Safer Than A Manual?
An automatic is safer than a manual because it allows you to keep both hands on the wheel and pay attention to the road ahead. With manual transmission cars, you have to take one hand off the steering wheel to change gears. Constantly working the clutch pedal can be exhausting because your left foot never rests, particularly if you drive in congested areas.
Is It Easy To Drive An Automatic Car?
Yes, it is easy to drive an automatic car. An automatic car has a gearbox that automatically changes gears for the driver. As a result, you only need to concern yourself with two pedals: the brake pedal and the accelerator. This makes it easier for you to focus on the road and other aspects of driving.
What Is A Semi-Automatic Car?
A semi-automatic car is a type of car that combines the convenience of an automatic transmission with the control of a manual transmission. Unlike a traditional automatic transmission, which uses a torque converter and planetary gears to shift gears automatically, a semi-automatic transmission uses a manual gearbox with an electronic control unit that operates the clutch pedal and gear selection for the driver.
Do Automatic Cars Use More Fuel?
Automatic cars do not use more fuel. Although automatic cars used to consume more fuel than manual transmission cars due to inefficiencies in previous automatic transmission systems, modern automatic transmissions have become more fuel efficient as technology has advanced. Ultimately, the fuel efficiency of a car is a complex issue that cannot be solely attributed to the type of transmission.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored in this article, understanding what an automatic car is an important step in making an informed decision about your next vehicle rental or purchase. Automatic cars have come a long way since their inception and are now a popular choice for drivers of all levels of experience. They provide a convenient and hassle-free driving experience and are often preferred by those who frequently commute in heavy traffic or drive long distances.
