1. Automatic
2. Manual

The automatic transmission has been gaining in popularity over the years. Today, it's the most popular transmission.

1. The radiator
   The carburetor​
2. The clutch

The clutch is what gives you smooth shifting from one gear to the next. The clutch disengages the engine from the transmission.

1. Volumes
   Notches
2. Gears

The ratios of speed that drive the transmission are called gears. Your car has a first gear, second gear, etc. First gear gives the lowest output speed.

1. Steering wheel
   Wheels
2. Exhaust​

The transmission is a car is the system of parts that connects the engine to the wheels. There are two types of transmission: automatic and manual.

1. Manual
2. Automatic

Unfortunately, manual cars stall more than automatic cars. Stalling only occurs on an automatic car if there are mechanical problems going on.

1. Manual
2. Automatic

By far, manual transmissions are less expensive. A manual transmission will cost you roughly $1,000 less than an automatic of the same model.

1. Manual
2. Automatic

A manual transmission is much simpler than an automatic transmission. It consists of a system of interlocking gear wheels.

1. 1-2
   3-4
2. 4-6

Most normal cars have four to six forward gears and one reverse gear.

1. Manual
2. Automatic

Although manual transmissions are simpler in design, automatic transmissions are easier to use. Manual transmissions aren't difficult to use, they're still something that must be learned through practice.

1. Cryptomesh
   Synchromesh
2. Optimesh

A synchromesh transmission holds all gear wheels in mesh. This is used in most American cars with a manual transmission.

1. Power
   Torque
2. Fluid

Most American cars with an automatic transmission contain a torque converter.This converter is responsible for transmitting the engine's power to the transmission by use of hydraulic fluid.

1. Automatic
2. Manual

Automatic transmissions are definitely better for steep, hilly areas. Less experienced drivers find these driving conditions intimidating with a manual transmission.

1. Automatic
2. Manual

An automatic car is definitely better in heavy traffic. The effort of starting and stopping all the time with a manual car can be a real chore.

1. Forward​ motion
   Breaking speed
2. Turning force

Torque is turning force. Proper torque is created by the engine when it's within a narrow range of engine speeds. Torque is related to the rates at which the crankshaft​ is turning.

1. Varying speed
   One speed
2. No speed

Simply put, the transmission helps the engine to create proper torque at varying speed. The transmission has an output shaft that is adjusted to turn the wheels at the right speed.

1. Automatic
2. Manual

You guessed it. Manual transmissions cost much less to maintain. Maintenance and repairs are not as frequent and are less costly. Just pray that the clutch doesn't die on you.

1. Automatic
2. Manual

Manual cars have better fuel efficiency than their automatic cousins. Manual cars may save drivers roughly 5% to 15% each year, although automatics are improving all the time.

1. Manual
2. Automatic

Like the U.S., Canada prefers automatic cars. In fact, only about 9% of Canadian cars have a manual transmission.

1. Increase​
2. Reduce

Higher gears actually reduce torque while increasing speed. This allows the driver to properly distribute power and speed for different situations.

1. Double disk clutch
   Smooth plane clutch
2. Dry single​ disk clutch

The dry single disk clutch is the most common kind of clutch that you'll find. It has a steel disk with a friction lining. This is flanked by a flywheel on the engine shaft and pressure plate on the input shaft of the transmission.

1. Interlocking
   Spikey
2. Planetary

Most automatic cars in America have planetary gears. They also have a clutch plate to create a direct connection between the transmission​ and the engine.

1. $100-$200
   $200-$400
2. $500-$1,000

Even though manual cars are cheaper to maintain, clutch repair can cost you $500 to $1,000 or more. Be nice to your clutch!

1. It's becoming wider
2. It's becoming narrower

The gap between the performance of these two cars is actually getting narrower. With improvements in technology, the performance of automatic cars continues​ to improve.

1. Hybrid
   Anti-lock
2. Manumatic

The manumatic transmission is an automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode option. This is typically a floor-mounted shifter which gives you an alternative selector path by use of buttons on the steering wheel.

1. Automatic​
2. Manual

By far, automatic cars are stolen more often than manual cars. Simply put: most criminals don't know how to drive a manual car.

1. Ratios of speed
   Constant signals
2. Power levels

It may seem complicated, but it's not. With the lever, you're choosing what ratio of speed is best between the input and output shafts of the transmission. This allows you to control the car at various speeds.

1. Constant Viable Transmission
   Co-Voluntary Transmission​
2. Continuously Variable Transmission.

The continuously variable transmission, or CVT, uses a belt connecting two variable-diameter pulleys. These provide an unlimited number of ratio changes. This kind of transmission offers better fuel efficiency.

1. 4
   5
2. 9

Racing cars can have as many as nine forward speeds. That's a lot of gear shifting!

1. Automatic
2. Manual

Manual cars really do offer you better control of the vehicle. Sometimes, automatic transmissions will shift to too high of a gear and waste engine power.

1. 4%
   10%
2. 15%

Actually, less than 4% of cars in the U.S. are built with a manual transmission. Does that mean that automatic is better? Not necessarily.

1. Automatic​
2. Manual

Although Americans prefer automatic cars, the car of choice in Europe is definitely manual. It's also popular in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

1. 1900
   1939
2. 1951

The automatic transmission was introduced in 1939. It was designed to select the optimum gear without the driver needing to do a thing.

1. Traffic
   Eating while driving
2. Laziness

Theorists believe that the sheer volume of traffic is what makes the automatic transmission car so popular in the U.S. No one wants to be stuck in traffic with a manual.

1. Electronic sensors
   Micro-computer chips
2. Infrared lasers

Microprocessor-controlled electronic sensors have been added to most automatic transmissions, enhancing performance even further. The processor collects data about the performance​ of your car and uses this to control the changing of gears.

1. 50%
   68%
2. 80%

Roughly 80% of the cars in both Japan and Europe are manual. That's a huge difference from the U.S., for sure. But how do they eat and drive at the same time?