Gearbox - an Overview

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

Gearbox - an Overview

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 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.

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.

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.

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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