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Read MoreHome » Automotive Blog » Clutch Myths: Do Automatic Cars Have One?
Automatic cars are always welcoming because of their ease of use. However, a few people still hate them because of their difficult-to-understand technologies. When it comes to automatic cars, the common question about them is, “Do automatic cars have a clutch?”
Because of their complex mechanisms and structures, several misconceptions and myths about automatic cars exist.
Stay with us and continue to read to know the reality of clutch myths. Before delving into the details of car gearboxes or clutches, you must understand the function of clutches in modern vehicles. We’ll also explain how this advancement in modern cars affects the future of gearboxes or transmission systems.
Stay with us and continue to read to know the reality of clutch myths. Before delving into the details of car gearboxes or clutches, you must understand the function of clutches in modern vehicles. We’ll also explain how this advancement in modern cars affects the future of gearboxes or transmission systems.
What is the Difference Between Manual Car and Automatic?
The most common and foremost difference between manual and automatic cars is the advancement of technology. However, gears or transmission systems are integral to manual cars’ uniqueness. In a manual car or transmission, the driver shifts the gears. On the other hand, an automatic car with an automatically shifting gearbox shifts the gears for the driver.
A manual gearbox offers more control to the car’s driver. An automatic vehicle works without traditional clutches. So, the difference is clear! To understand the modern or automatic car’s mechanism in a better way, let’s discuss the types of automatic gearboxes first;
A manual gearbox offers more control to the car’s driver. An automatic vehicle works without traditional clutches. So, the difference is clear! To understand the modern or automatic car’s mechanism in a better way, let’s discuss the types of automatic gearboxes first;
What are the Types of Automatic Gearboxes?
Here are a few of the most common types of automatic car gearboxes:
CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
A CVT transmission system works without fixing gears, using pulleys and belts to change the gear continuously. Unlike traditional vehicles, a car with CVT doesn’t have a conventional clutch. However, these transmission boxes have modern components to shift power while speeding high or low.
CVTs are among the most common transmission boxes in modern vehicles because of their smooth driving experience and efficient power to adjust the engine speed according to the situation.
Traditional Automatic Transmission
It is one of the most common types of automatic gearboxes present in automatic cars. A traditional automatic transmission plays the same role as a conventional clutch in a manual car. Traditional automatic transmission, or torque converter, helps the transmission connect to the engine.
Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
As the name shows, this transmission system has two clutches. One clutch is used for even-numbered gears, and the other for odd-numbered gears. Both clutches help to shift gears smoothly for smooth driving.
Unlike traditional clutches in manual cars, each dual-clutch transmission clutch works independently. So, it is an ideal choice for a driver looking for a smooth-performing vehicle.
Direct-Shift Gearboxes (DSG)
A direct-shift gearbox has a pair of electronically controlled clutches. An automatic car engages and disengages these clutches automatically. DSG is more prevalent in modern vehicles because of their fuel efficiency.
However, repairing DSG is more expensive than traditional gearboxes because of its complex mechanism.
Hopefully! You have understood about the types of gearboxes in automatic cars. Now, let’s move to the most common clutch myths section to know the reality;
Common Myths About Clutch in an Automatic Car
Here are a few of the most common myths about automatic car gearboxes or clutches:
Automatic Cars Don’t Have Clutches At All
The most common myth or misconception about automatic cars is that these vehicles don’t have clutches. Sometimes, this sounds real, but it is not. Even a few modern automatic cars, such as vehicles with DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission), rely entirely on clutches.
However, a few automatic cars with torque converters don’t have clutches. Automatic cars with toque converters use hydraulic pressure to transfer the power to the engine while speeding up or changing the gears.
On the other hand, modern EV vehicles don’t have clutches at all. EV cars don’t require clutches to shift the gears because they have an electrically powered system.
DCT Gearboxes Have More Reliable Clutches than Manual Cars
Most people think automatic cars with DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) have more reliable clutches than manual cars. However, this is only valid in some scenarios. Like traditional clutches, DCT also goes through routine wear and tear.
However, the drivers can extend the life of DCT with regular servicing, maintenance, and routine inspections from a reputed automotive garage.
Automatic Car Clutches Don’t Perform Well
A few people think clutches in an automatic car, such as a DCT, are unreliable or perform poorly. A few old vehicles with automatic clutches weren’t wholly optimised.
But now, there is no performance gap or reliability issue in modern cars with automatic clutches.
The performance of automatic gears such as DCT in super or support cars is much faster than that of humans with manual car gearboxes when shifting gears.
What is an Automatic Car Clutch Replacement Cost?
Automatic car clutches require regular maintenance and servicing compared to manual car clutches. However, their upkeep is more expensive.
Due to their complex design and infrastructure, automatic car clutch repairs require a big budget.
Similarly, automatic clutch replacement costs are higher than manual ones. An automatic car clutch replacement costs around £300 to £1000. However, this cost can vary based on your car’s make, model and condition.
Similarly, automatic clutch replacement costs are higher than manual ones. An automatic car clutch replacement costs around £300 to £1000. However, this cost can vary based on your car’s make, model and condition.
How Long Does an Automatic Clutch Last?
An automatic clutch lasts around 30,000 to 100,000+ miles. However, this life span entirely depends on how you keep and drive your car. With proper upkeep and regular maintenance, you can also extend the life span of the automatic clutch.
Choose LMS for Automatic & Manual Clutches Maintenance
Above all, modern cars are evolving continuously with modern technologies and advancements. That’s why both automatic and manual vehicles change periodically. As discussed above, all automatic cars don’t have clutches.
A few automatic cars have clutches and require more time and budget to repair.
If you are looking for automatic clutch repairs and replacement services in London, UK, what could be a better option than London Motor Sports? The future is all about hybrid and EV (electric vehicles). However, automatic cars will remain a trend because of their advancements and specialised designs.
If you are looking for automatic clutch repairs and replacement services in London, UK, what could be a better option than London Motor Sports? The future is all about hybrid and EV (electric vehicles). However, automatic cars will remain a trend because of their advancements and specialised designs.
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