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Automatic Transmissions are a Boon for Comfort!

Automatic transmission is a concept that is new in India, even though it has been in use for over four decades in the US. Five years back, there were only one or two imported models in India that came with the option of an automatic transmission and very few people knew about this concept. However, now even the small car manufacturers are offering this option to its customers. Cars with automatic transmission are different from cars with manual transmission in terms of power, acceleration, fuel economy, and driving comfort.

An automatic transmission unit does not require a driver’s intervention while driving. A cluster of sensors embedded within the system constantly monitor the throttle (acceleration/deceleration) input and then optimize (change) the engine response accordingly. The driver only uses the acceleration and brake pedals, and can comfortably enjoy the drive without having to change gears. The gear shift moves up automatically at the optimum shifting level when the driver presses the accelerator and the reverse action can be achieved when the brake pedal is pressed.

These modern cars can be started only when the gear is in parking mode or the neutral mode as some call it. The car will not respond to ignition in any other gear mode. This is part of the safety features installed by the car manufacturer for a car with an auto transmission. If the car stops at traffic signals or in traffic jams, it is best to bring the car to neutral mode and then start the ignition before moving ahead – the same is advised for cars with manual transmission to improve a cars performance.

Those who are just getting themselves acquainted with the automatic transmission should keep the brakes pressed and gently release them while moving forward. It is possible that the car could rev up if the accelerator is pressed hard and the driver can loose control over the vehicle. Most cars available in India with an automatic transmission have been modified to suit Indian road conditions. This allows these cars to comfortably negotiate bad roads and hilly regions.

There are only two major drawbacks in a car with an automatic transmission. First, it is made up of several components and a break down of even a single component can stall the car completely. Therefore the cost of maintenance of a car with an automatic transmission is marginally higher than cars with a manual transmission. Second, control of power and acceleration is completely dependant on the transmission and the driver cannot accelerate beyond a set safety speed. This means that a car with an automatic transmission is not conducive to racing conditions or to sharp overtaking tactics.

However, an automatic transmission is a choice of most because of its smooth shifting capabilities that provide occupants with a jerk-free ride and the fuel economy of the car sees a definite improvement. It definitely eases the pressure of driving in congested cities, where acceleration does not play a big part, but traffic jams do. It is advisable to get a transmission with both manual and automatic switch options. This type of transmission will allow the driver to choose the type of transmission that he/she wants to use.

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