Which is best? Automatic gearbox, CVT, DSG or automated manual

Some time ago, drivers purely had the option between a manual or automatic gearbox. Now there are a variety of different self-shifting gearboxes available on the market.

Here we look at the difference between the four main types of automatic gearbox.

Automatic gearbox

An automatic gearbox is a type of transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually.

Advantages: Although not as seamless as a DSG, you still get a more smoother change than an automated manual.

Disadvantages: A disadvantage of the automatic gearbox is that that they are a lot more thirsty on the fuel compared to the DSG.

Continuously Variable Transmission

Also known as: CVT.

A CVT is a smooth changing transmission working on a pulley system which enables the transmission to find the best ratio with your throttle response, making the car better on fuel.

Advantages: When driving up hills, where traditional automatics can struggle, a CVT can seamlessly provide power without shifting.

Disadvantages: Acceleration can be noisy because the sound of the engine stays at a constant pitch which caused by the steel belt working on the pulley system, rather like a car with a slipping clutch.

Automated manual

Semi-automatic

An automated manual is a manual gearbox but instead of the driver operating the clutch the brain of the car does this for you. So all the driver needs to do is accelerate or brake.

Advantages: The automated manual gearbox is very easy to drive.

Disadvantages: Service life appears to be less than a conventional automatic transmission.

Direct shift

Also known as: Dual clutch, twin clutch, dual shaft, DSG

The direct shift gearbox is effectively two gearboxes with two clutches: one for odd numbered gears; one for even numbers. These are packaged as one (above). When you select first gear as you accelerate, the ‘second’ gearbox primes second. Then when its electronic brain says it’s time to change gear, rather than moving up a cog in the traditional way, it simply swaps input shafts. If you’re still accelerating, ‘gearbox one’ then gets third gear ready for the change up.

Advantages: As swapping shafts is quicker than engaging and disengaging clutches and changing cogs, you get almost seamless gear changes. Most direct shift systems can change gear quicker than a human with a clutch. Gearboxes like this are also more efficient than a regular automatic.

Disadvantages: Low speed maneuvering in first gear can be slightly jerky in some cars. It’s also quite a new system and on some cars they’ve proved unreliable in older models.

Verdict

If you want the car to do the gear changing for you, you have many options to chose from. The 2 best options are the DSG with its quick gear shifts and the traditional auto box which is very reliable compared to the semi automatic gearbox and the CVT transmission.

Winter is here and chances are that more snowfall could still be on the way. Whether you’re driving through the blizzard or dealing with the black ice left after a day of melting and a night of refreezing, the roads can get messy, and lead to accidents for even the most responsible drivers. Ideal time for us to offer our 7 essential things to keep in your car this winter.

Below we have collected a list of items you should consider keeping in your car in the winter. Take a look through and see if you can find a bit of extra space in your boot to fill with peace of mind.

7 essential things to keep in your car this winter

1. Car phone battery charger – encase you need to call for help
2. A Blanket –  Anyone who’s been stuck in the snow without heat knows what a depressing wait for the tow truck that can be
3. A Torch – For if it gets dark out and you’re stuck on the side of a slippery road
4. First aid kit – While it’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit in your car, it’s especially important to have come winter
5. Water bottle – For those long traffic queues
6. Shovel – Encase you get stuck in the snow and need to shovel your way out
7. Jump leads – Jump leads are obviously essential when you need to revive your own car after your battery dies

Most importantly as we are Automatic Gearbox Specialists we would advise to make sure your car is up to date with its gearbox services. We recommend a gearbox service every 12,000 miles and we can do this while you wait.

VMTP Midlands Ltd is based in Norton Canes, Cannock. Our workshop is conveniently positioned near the main commuter routes and motorways – M6, M6 Toll and the A5. As a recognized automatic gearbox repair specialist we serve further afield than just our surrounding area – automatic car owners come to us from all over the UK. The majority of our customers are recommended to us by other dealers, garages and customers who have been impressed by the service provided by VMTP Midlands Ltd.

Our team have a combined knowledge of over 125 years of automatic gear boxes, we are the automatic gearbox repair specialist – demonstrated by the large volume and variety of customers, both trade and private, that we have the pleasure of serving from many areas in and around the central region.

Let VMTP Midlands Ltd service your gearbox today

Here are just a few of the areas that we serve:

• Cannock
• Sutton Coldfield
• Tamworth
• Derby
• Dudley
• Newcastle Under Lyme
• Walsall
• Wolverhampton
• Rugeley
• Stafford
• Telford
• Burton On Trent