An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto") is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. Similar but larger devices are also used for heavy-duty commercial and industrial vehicles and equipment.
Most automatic transmissions have a set selection of possible gear ranges, often with a parking pawl feature that will lock the output shaft of the transmission. Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) can change the ratios over a range rather than between set gear ratios. CVTs have been used for decades in two-wheeled scooters but have seen use in a few automobile models. Recently, however, CVT technology has gained greater acceptance among manufacturers and customers, especially in Nissan automobiles and gas-electric hybrid vehicles.
Some machines with limited speed ranges or fixed engine speeds, such as some forklift trucks and lawn mowers, only use a torque converter to provide a variable gearing of the engine to the wheels.
Comparison with manual transmission
Main article: Comparison of manual and automatic transmissionsMost cars sold in the United States since the 1950s have been available with an automatic transmission, though it remains common practice to advertise the cheaper priced model with a manual transmission and treat the automatic as an upgrade. Conversely, automatic transmission is not very popular in Europe, with 80% of drivers opting for manual transmission. In most Asian markets, automatic transmissions have also become very popular since the 1990s.
Automatic transmissions are easier to drive and consequently, in some jurisdictions, drivers passing their driving test in an automatic-transmission vehicle will not be licensed to drive a manual-transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmission modes
Conventionally, in order to select the mode, the driver would have to move a gear shift lever located on the steering column or on the floor next to him/her. In order to select gears/modes the driver must push a button in (called the shift lock button) or pull the handle (only on column mounted shifters) out. Some vehicles position selector buttons for each mode on the cockpit instead, freeing up space on the central console. Vehicles conforming to US Government standards must have the modes ordered P-R-N-D-L (left to right, top to bottom, or clockwise). Prior to this, quadrant-selected automatic transmissions often utilized a P-N-D-L-R layout, or similar. Such a pattern led to a number of deaths and injuries owing to unintentional gear mis-selection, as well as the danger of having a selector (when worn) jump into Reverse from Low gear during engine braking maneuvers.
Automatic Transmissions have various modes depending on the model and make of the transmission. Some of the common modes are:
Park (P) – This selection mechanically locks the transmission, restricting the car from moving in any direction. A parking pawl prevents the transmission—and therefore the vehicle—from moving, although the vehicle's non-drive wheels may still spin freely. For this reason, it is recommended to use the hand brake (or parking brake) because this actually locks (in most cases) the rear wheels and prevents them from moving. This also increases the life of the transmission and the park pin mechanism, because parking on an incline with the transmission in park without the parking brake engaged will cause undue stress on the parking pin. An efficiently-adjusted hand brake should also prevent the car from moving if a worn selector accidentally drops into reverse gear during early morning fast-idle engine warmups.
A car should be allowed to come to a complete stop before setting the transmission into park to prevent damage. Usually, park is one of only two selections in which the car's engine can be started. In many modern cars and trucks (notably those sold in the U.S. and Canada), the driver must have the footbrake applied before the transmission can be taken out of park. The Park position is omitted on buses/coaches with automatic transmission (on which a parking pawl is not practical), which must be placed in neutral with the parking brakes set.
Reverse (R) – This puts the car into the reverse gear, giving the ability for the car to drive backwards. In order for the driver to select reverse they must come to a complete stop, push the shift lock button in (or pull the shift lever forward in the case of a column shifter) and select reverse. Not coming to a complete stop can cause severe damage to the transmission. Many modern automatic gearboxes have a safety mechanism in place, which does to some extent prevent (but does not completely avoid) inadvertently putting the car in reverse when the vehicle is moving. This mechanism usually consists of a solenoid-controlled physical barrier on either side of the Reverse position, which is electronically engaged by a switch on the brake pedal. Therefore, the brake pedal needs to be depressed in order to allow the selection of reverse. Some electronic transmissions prevent or delay engagement of reverse gear altogether while the car is moving.
Some shifters with a shift button allow the driver to freely move the shifter from R to N or D, or simply moving the shifter to N or D without actually depressing the button. However, the driver cannot put back the shifter to R without depressing the shift button to prevent accidental shiftings, especially at high speeds, which could damage the transmission.
Neutral/No gear (N) – This disconnects the transmission from the wheels so the car can move freely under its own weight. This is the only other selection in which the car can be started.
Drive (D) – This allows the car to move forward and accelerate through its range of gears. The number of gears a transmission has depends on the model, but they can commonly range from 3 (predominant before the 1990s), 4, 5 (losing popularity to 6-speed autos, though still favored by Chrysler and Honda/Acura), 6 (found in VW/Audi Direct-Shift Gearbox, Toyota Camry V-6 models, the Chevrolet Malibu LTZ, Corvette, GM trucks, Pontiac G8, and most newer model Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles), 7 (found in Mercedes 7G gearbox and Volkswagen DSG gearbox) and 8 in the newer models of Lexus cars. Some cars when put into D will automatically lock the doors or turn on the daytime running lamps.
OverDrive (, OD, or a boxed D) - This mode is used in some transmissions to allow early Computer Controlled Transmissions to engage the Automatic Overdrive. In these transmissions, Drive (D) locks the Automatic Overdrive off, but is identical otherwise. OD (Overdrive) in these cars is engaged under steady speeds or low acceleration at approximately 35-45 mph (approx. 72 km/h). Under hard acceleration or below 35-45 mph, the transmission will automatically downshift. Vehicles with this option should be driven in this mode unless circumstances require a lower gear.
Second (2 or S) – This mode limits the transmission to the first two gears, or more commonly locks the transmission in second gear. This can be used to drive in adverse conditions such as snow and ice, as well as climbing or going down hills in the winter time. Some vehicles will automatically upshift out of second gear in this mode if a certain rpm range is reached in order to prevent engine damage.
Although traditionally considered second gear, there are other names used. Chrysler models with a 3-speed automatic since the late 1980s have called this gear 3 while using the traditional names for Drive and Low . In addition, the Chevrolet Cobalt with the 3-speed automatic call this gear Intermediate (or I ) while using the traditional names for the other gears.
First (1 or L) – This mode locks the transmission in first gear only. It will not accelerate through any gear range. This, like second, can be used during the winter season, or for towing.
As well as the above modes there are also other modes, dependent on the manufacturer and model. Some examples include;
- D5 – In Hondas and Acuras equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions, this mode is used commonly for highway use (as stated in the manual), and uses all five forward gears.
- D4 – This mode is also found in Honda and Acura 4 or 5-speed automatics and only uses the first 4 gears. According to the manual, it is used for "stop and go traffic", such as city driving.
- D3 or 3 – This mode is found in Honda, Acura and Pontiac 4-speed automatics and only uses the first 3 gears. According to the manual, it is used for stop & go traffic , such as city driving.
- + −, S and M – This is the manual selection of gears for automatics, such as Porsche's Tiptronic. The S and M feature can also be found in Chrysler and General Motors products such as the Dodge Magnum and Pontiac G6, as well as Toyota's Camry, Corolla, Fortuner, Previa and Innova. Mitsubishi, meanwhile does not have the M or S either, and instead has the + and -, which is separated from the rest of the shift modes; the same is true for some Peugeot products like Peugeot 206. Meanwhile, the driver can shift up and down at will by toggling the (console mounted) shift lever like a semi-automatic transmission. This mode may be engaged e
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