CNET On Cars - Smarter Driver: The wonderful world of transmissions

Transmissions can be tricky, but CNET's Brian Cooley breaks them down and builds them up so you can understand the differences.

[ImyurZero]

I rebuild transmissions for GM as a living, and for that reason have driven a manual for many many years. Until I tried out a GTI with a DSG, it's such a crazy feeling to drive what appears to be an automatic, but really does have characteristics of a manual. Best purchase I ever made.

[stockman]

I love these videos! (and the steering wheel hand position was great too) keep them coming!

[lifesavrdwd]

Brian Cooley is just great. I love what he does and how he doesn't it. I think I am love.

[FrostChilling]

Keep these video types coming loving them please

[farisengineering]

I was in Sales using my own car and almost constantly chasing tender submission deadlines for 14 years of my life.  I changed my clutch plates about every 175, 000 km.  At 300, 000km I had it changed because I was doing a total engine strip.  The 2 x pistons on the hydraulic clutch actuator wore out at 350, 000km, after 11 years.  That's it.  The added advantage of a manual is it will always be the lightest car.  Which translates to having the cheapest running cost.  Great when you're a Rep and can claim your mileage.

[PatrickBaptist]

@1 min LOL, I thought I was one of the VERY few to call a auto a slush box HAHAHA

[magna]

The first car I drove after passing my test in the UK, was a Renault 8 with a full auto, but not . 3 speed box & an electric clutch clutch, two plates & iron filings ( as it was described to me ), change gear, clutch demagnetises, gears swap, clutch re magnetise . Fine in theory, other than when gear box oil leaks past an under speck ( it went twice within 15K miles ) seal & the iron files " drag " . The other " drag " the only Renault dealer in the Midlands with the kit to service it 55 miles away from home on the other side of the M'land ( Rugby to Wolverhampton ), driven once in 1st !
Nice when driven kindly, interesting when driven hard, run it, hard, up to change point, back off and listen to a suit case of relays try & decide where you may go next !

[doodskie]

i do agree, automatics are more durable because it uses a torque converter which uses viscous coupling to transfer torque thus not needing a clutch plate which wears off sometime. and transmission fluid can be changed longer than any clutch plate, but I like the brawny feel of the manual transmission. in my country we prefer manual because of the extreme traffic problems in here.

[FredEFuego]

So much great info on the subject thanks Brian.

[DKniller]

In Denmark (and other european countries) the stick shift is by far the most common transmission and unlike USA the only way to take a driver license is with a Manuel transmission.

[TopiasSalakka]

Automatic is the most common... Only in the US.

[hyperlogos]

There's no such thing as a maintenance-free gearbox. Audi says you never have to change the fluid on the A8, but by 50, 000 miles it is _visibly_ done.

[Toastmaster_]

Even modern CVTs aren't maintenance-free, they just don't need maintenance for a very long time.  A properly driven manual can go longer without maintenance.

[nimbusgti]

Great video. I would add that most dual clutch gearboxes feel clunky at slow parking lot speeds.

[RichardJoashTan]

and manual transmissions were also used in diesel jeepneys and vans

[sharkey]

"200 proof power delivery"? I love how Brian choose his words.. 

[bigcrowfly]

Can you do a complete review of the Ford or Mercury station wagon that you drove in the beginning of the video?

[jonservice]

most automatics will need to be rebuilt once in there lifetime but I've abused a manual including operating without eough tras fluid and it still works well with 360, 000+ miles on it.

[Megadriver]

A manual transmission is only good if the car you drive is good. Pretty much every auto enthusiast would tell you "Manual ftw..." Yes, if you drive a Mk1 GTI, or an old Porsche, or a Subaru WRX, or any interesting car, the manual transmission is great fun indeed.

But hop in a cheap city car with a manual? That's not fun. Clutching your way in a traffic jam, going first, second, neutral is not fun even a bit.
So a sporty automatic, or a semi-auto seems to be the best choice for most of your driving.
I'm a car guy too. I love old manual cars. If I had the money, I'd get a 635 csi and drive it on the weekends, enjoying myself.
But for most drives I prefer a sporty automatic. Like the ones you get in premium cars like Audis, Mercs and BMWs. Their transmissions are really clever, direct, fast and enjoyable. Conventional slushboxes like in family cars are terrible! I despise those.
The best from both worlds is the dual clutch box, but you'd only get one if the car in question is an expensive overpowered speed demon. You wouldn't get one in a family estate now would 'ya?

[MarushDenchev]

After few thousand kilometres with manual transmission you don't really pay attention anymore. You just enjoy. And I like the fact that manual transmission is unlikely to break and if it does, the repair does not cost a lot. While if automatic breaks ... dear Lord.