Power to the wheels (transmission/gearbox)

Continued from last week

Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)

This is a specific type of semi-automatic transmission. It consists of a conventional manual transmission with an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch and computerized gear shift control, and the driver can usually override the computer control with a clutchless manual code.

 

Dual-clutch transmission

Although it is sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission or double-clutch transmission, it is closely related to a manual transmission, it uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets. It can be fundamentally described as two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing and working as a unit. Because it has two clutches, it switches gears faster than a manual or automatic transmission, so there is no lag because of an interruption of power to the engine. This makes it possible to speed up and slow down faster than with the other two transmissions.

 

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

A continuously variable transmission is also known as shiftless, step-less and pulley transmission. It is an automatic transmission that can change seamlessly through a continuous range of effective gear ratios. It uses two pulleys with a steel belt running between them, to continuously vary its gear ratios. The CVT simultaneously adjusts the diameter of the drive pulley that transmits torque from the engine and the driven pulley that transfers torque to the wheels. This type of transmission is reliable because it uses two pulleys held together by a strong belt.

 

When your transmission is saying drive me to the mechanic

Grinding or odd sounds: Automatic and manual transmission both make unique sounds when they start to go bad. On an automatic transmission, you may hear humming, whining or a buzzing sound. You will also feel as if every gear is wobbling into place.

The car will not engage or respond when in gear: The transmission system might not respond to engagement due to low fluid levels. Low fluid levels can create several problems such as overheating and not enough hydraulic pressure being produced to engage gears.

Transmission jerks: The most common cause of hard shift is a low fluid level or excessive line pressure due to clogging or malfunctioning shift solenoid.

A burning smell: Fresh transmission fluid tends to smell sweet or tart when that smell turns burnt, your transmission fluid has broken down and the system is burning too hot, leading to an increase in friction.

Leaking fluid: One of the major causes of a transmission fluid leak is a gap in the transmission. This is hard to narrow down as it could be a space in a pan gasket, torque converter, fluid lines, the transmission pan or the seals. It could lead to a complete transmission failure if left ignored. If there is not enough fluid running through the system, parts will lose vital lubrication and bad things will happen inside the transmission.

The check engine light is on: Once there is a problem with the transmission system, the malfunction indicator light also known as the check engine light illuminates.

Grinding and shaking sensation in the gear: Gear grinding is a situation whereby the speed of your wheels and engine are not on the same page; there is a mismatch in the speed, causing a very troubling grinding noise.

Immediately you notice these symptoms, please schedule a visit to your mechanic for diagnosis and inspection as soon as possible

 

Reactions to AutoClinic

Question:           

My Honda Accord 2007 is showing spanner on the dashboard. Please what do I need to do? Thanks. (0806567****)

 

Response: The spanner sign on the instrument cluster of Honda cars/SUVs/Trucks is used to indicate that the vehicle is due for maintenance and it comes on with the preset mileage for service interval.

Schedule an appointment today to have the service done by a technician. He/She should also know what to reset the interval. Any technician that doesn’t know how to do that is not qualified to work on your vehicle.

 

Question:

Good day sir, I am Ojo Kehinde from Abeokuta. I am using a Primera 2005 model. The gearbox that came with the vehicle got spoilt by using non-recommended gear oil. So I bought another one. This one also was not working well. Then my mechanic advised that I should change the gearbox to Maxima 2.0 gearbox. After it has been fixed, it was unable to select when test-driven. We have been on it almost a year now. I need your help. Thanks, (0706378****).

 

Hello Ojo Kehinde,

The 2005 Primera that you described here is equipped with CVT (Continous VariableTransmission) system. It is a very efficient type of transmission that has a very low tolerance for mishandling. The conversion to regular automatic transmission is a very technical and expensive process if properly done. My advice will be for you to revert to the same type of transmission that the vehicle was equipped with from the factory. Get a good supplier that can issue a proper warranty on the unit and return the vehicle to its original state, only then can you enjoy it. It will be unpleasant for you to go down the current route, not to talk of it being financially draining.

 

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