Moving On It's Own.

Chapter 7:

Continued......

 

Automatic

 

Most modern North American and some European and Japanese cars have an automatic transmission that selects an appropriate gear ratio without any operator intervention. They primarily use hydraulics to select gears, depending on pressure exerted by fluid within the transmission assembly. Rather than using a clutch to engage the transmission, a fluid flywheel, or torque converter is placed in between the engine and transmission. It is possible for the driver to control the number of gears in use or select reverse, though precise control of which gear is in use may or may not be possible.

 

Automatic transmissions are easy to use. However, in the past, some automatic transmissions of this type have had a number of problems; they were complex and expensive sometimes had reliability problems which sometimes caused more expenses in repair, have often been less fuel-efficient than their manual counterparts due to "slippage" in the torque converter, and their shift time was slower than a manual making them uncompetitive for racing. With the advancement of modern automatic transmissions, this has changed.

 

Attempts to improve the fuel efficiency of automatic transmissions include the use of torque converters that lock up beyond a certain speed or in higher gear ratios, eliminating power loss, and overdrive gears that automatically actuate above certain speeds. In older transmissions, both technologies could be intrusive, when conditions are such that they repeatedly cut in and out as speed and such load factors as grade or wind vary slightly. Current computerized transmissions possess complex programming that both maximizes fuel efficiency and eliminates intrusiveness.

 

This is due mainly to electronic rather than mechanical advances, though improvements in CVT technology and the use of automatic clutches have also helped. A few cars, including the 2013 Subaru Impreza and the 2012 model of the Honda Jazz sold in the UK, actually claim marginally better fuel consumption for the CVT version than the manual version.

 

For certain applications, the slippage inherent in automatic transmissions can be advantageous. For instance, in drag racing, the automatic transmission allows the car to stop with the engine at a high rpm,  known as the "stall speed" to allow for a very quick launch when the brakes are released. In fact, a common modification is to increase the stall speed of the transmission. This is even more advantageous for turbocharged engines, where the turbocharger must be kept spinning at high rpm by a large flow of exhaust to maintain the boost pressure and eliminate the turbo the lag that occurs when the throttle suddenly opens on an idling engine.

 

I know that I got a lot Technical for a while, but getting the technical baggage out was also necessary, as I feel that every one of us should understand the Core associated with any cars and bikes available today.

 

My goal through my blogs are not merely to assist you guys in making the right decision with your Car or Bike, but also make you aware of what it takes to keep it going through.

 

Through my personal experience, I can say one thing with utter Confidence, "If you love your Car/Bike like you love yourself, She will never betray you in your entire Lifetime". The passion & energy you pour in her, she returns you in the time of your need, by taking all the damage on her. Respect her, Try to feel her Heartbeat sync with your Own. That moment when you and your machine becomes one is the most rewarding moment for any Driver's/Rider's Life. These are the moments that we live for.

 

Since we are ending this chapter on our Heart, Let's start the next one with our Machines Heart.......