What are the differences between CVT, DCT, and manual transmissions?

A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is a type of gearbox with infinite gear ratios. This is how it works: You know the derailleur/gear changer of a bicylcle? A mechanism throws the chain onto a different gear and you get a different gear ratio. Now on your bike and on mine, we have maybe 7 or so gears. What would you have to do to make 100 or more? You need 100+ gears - all packed together real tightly, each one getting smaller than the next. This looks like a cone, right? So: a cone does infinite gear ratios with a chain, the chain just needs to not slip. Well, that IS what a CVT is. It throws a chain around a cone. The effect? While accelerating your engine can stay at a constant speed as new gears are continuously chosen.

A CVT offers an infinite variable range of ratios, with a high and low limit. It is typically made with a metal band between two pulleys, or via a planetary gear set. It can be very efficient by "selecting" the optimal ratio for the task at hand... and is virtually all cases better than a "stepped" transmission with a set of distinct ratios. Most think is not very exciting though.

Très agréable et pratique permet d avoir un voiture agréable. Je recommande pour ceux qui ont le budget qui vont avec en fonction du véhicule sélectionné

Great for city driving. Super hard to rebuild. Buy new. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….::……::::::::::::::::::::

Operation a little bit noisy as the pulley is moves outward when accelerating. This seamless operation though smoother than conventional automatic gearbox is still considered lagging.

A "Dual Clutch Transmission" is simply what it sounds like. It has two clutches. The simplest way to think about this, is to think: "Two transmissions altogether". One transmission has the even gears (2, 4, 6, ..) and the other holds the odd gears (1, 3, 5, ..). Either one or the other is connected to the engine at a given time. If you want to switch to the unconnected one, this simple means: 1. The unconnected part choses a gear (typically anticipated by the electronics beforehand). 2. The engaged transmission loosens its clutch, thereby disengaging. 3. The other transmission engages by engaging its clutch. Both transmissions are in a single housing. Gear changes can be quicker than with one single clutch.

My experience with DCT's is very positive. Due to different positions of drive style it can be comfortable but also very sporty. Which gives the driver more option than the CVT for example. DCT combined with gear controls on the steering wheel it allows the driver to shift gear for more sportiness or saving fuel for example. Because the system works with two clutches, the next and previous gear are pre-selected. This save time and adds to the sporty appearance. Even in a normal car.

A dual-clutch transmission is a type of multi-speed vehicle transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets. The design is often similar to two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing, and working as one unit.

Este tipo de transmisión da una sensación de manejo bastante agradable, funciona como una transmisión manual, porque la transferencia de fuerza es a través de engranajes pero el tener doble embrague le ayuda a minimizar ruidos y desgastes a la misma proporcionando mayor durabilidad a los componentes mecánicos....

Dual clutch just means that each side spins continuously. One side has even speed gears and the other has odd. So when you change gears the news gear is already up to speed. This helps ease keep the vehicle in motion. Unlike a manual transmission when each time you change gears you have to get up to speed again.

Inefficient? Manual transmissions if anything are more efficient than others in my opinion. There is no electrical load on the vehicle, in general no mechanical load for its operation like engine driven oil pumps. The only loss is in the arrangement of the gears and general construction. I personally own only manual transmission vehicles, but I’m in the minority. I just enjoy the direct control they provide me in driving the vehicle.

A manual transmission, also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission, or stick shift, is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission system, where gear changes require the driver to manually select the gears by operating a gear stick and clutch

A manual transmission, or “stick shift,” is a type of transmission in which the driver manually selects and engages gears using a gear selector and a clutch pedal. It requires the driver's engagement to shift gears and control the vehicle's speed.

In addition manual transmission is said to be easy to maintain, cheaper in price and it gives you a sense of control as a driver

Très agréable et pratique permet d avoir un voiture agréable. Je recommande pour ceux qui ont le budget qui vont avec en fonction du véhicule sélectionné

The type of performance you are looking for weighs heavily on the transmission type. Jeep wrangler and Subaru WRX come to mind. Manual vs automatic transmissions in these two vehicles attract two different types of drivers.

If you are not a gearhead who constantly thinks about technology and cars - like me: Do not worry about the transmission, as long as it is not a manual transmission. Simply enjoy your car. Drive it. That's it. That's the end of it. If you are a gearhead, you already have your favorite technological solution for changing gears. Simply enjoy your car.

Also take into consideration where you drive can help you determine the best choice. If you spend a lot of time in traffic a manual can be uncomfortable, having your left foot on the shifting pedal constantly is not pleasant…

In any country different types of transmission are more usual than others. Also different types of transmission adapt better than others to other kind of equipment or accessories (hybrid systems or start and stop accessory for example).

If you want driving pleasure with good fuel efficiency then you should go with CVT. But if you don’t care about fuel efficiency and you just want to thrilled your car then go with DCT and DSG. Most German Car Brands are using DSG Gearbox. Thanks, Yash Pathak.

Yes. We should also know about this facts. CVT is know for fuel efficiency, less maintenance as compared to DST. Most DST used in Sport or luxury Cars. When we drive a DST transmissions, it will perform amazing and thrilling, but it will less fuel efficiency, more costly and more expensive in mechanism.

Driving a manual can be ideal for beginning drivers helping them to understand how engines work. On the other hand, moving to electric that might no longer be applicable. I’m getting old I guess 😉

La elección dependerá del tipo de vehículo de combustión, hibrido, eléctrico y la elección de uso en áreas urbanas, carretera y/o autopistas, también coste adquisición, coste de mantenimiento en general, marca y modelo del vehículo, pero también del usuario en la modalidad elegida. Las ventajas de una transmisión manual son el menor coste de mantenimiento, el ahorro de combustible de un 5% y 15%, el control de la velocidad del vehículo de más deportiva a más suave. Las desventajas, las manuales son menos cómodas al necesitar engranar diferentes marchas para aumentar o reducir velocidad, se necesita un mayor aprendizaje y más control sobre diferentes elementos, como pedal del acelerador, pedal del embrague, la palanca de cambios...

O CVT tem uma boa economia e dirigibilidade na cidade, porem, o nível de ruido é maior em alta velocidade. DCT é uma excelente proposta para altas velocidade, mas tem uma manutenção mais cara e não tem uma boa dirigibilidade em baixa velocidade. Transmissão manual tem uma manutenção barata, e até uma condução econômica dependendo do motorista, mas há um certo desconforto para dirigir comparado com as outras tecnologias.

Los cambios robotizados y cvt son cómodos,suaves y pueden ahorrar en combustibles,en cambio el manual el mantenimiento es mínimo y bajo mi punto de vista son más fiables que las anteriores por la contra en ella pues eso que hay estás tú para poder manejarla

First thing you should look at is if the model you are interested in has the Transmission that you are looking for. By doing this, you will eliminate some vehicles you are considering.

If you want to actually drive a car you drive a manual transmission. If you want to be an operator you drive the rest. The question is are you a driver or operator?

Many dealers have both transmissions Manual and AT(like CVT and DCT) vehicles for Test Drive. To understand and feel both transmissions, you can take both TD. Then you can understand differences between CVT and DCT. DCT is more powerful transmissions cars. I love to drive DCT or DSG transmissions Cars.

I’d add that in general CVTs are not as durable as other automatics and based on what I’ve heard from transmission technicians, very expensive to replace and not rebuildable.

You have to identify what works best for you. If you are wanting “more control” then a manual transmission is the way to go! However, manufacturers are going away from manual transmissions so eventually, this won’t be an option.

Having worked in the car industry for over 15 years, I recall a time in my country (1999-2010) when no one wanted to drive an automatic vehicle except. They were believed to be less durable transmissions and hard to repair on introduction. We had to do a proper campaign to push automatic vehicles then such as the Peugeot 406 and Mercedes C-class for example all which offered both manual and automatica transmissions. Today in Malawi no one wants a manual vehicle. The automatic vehicle is handy with increasing traffic offering ease of driving while manual vehicles still remain an option offering low pricing more than anything else.

You may not like this but... transmission types will go away for many years. Electric cars have mostly a single fixed gear ratio. There is nothing to think about here. Maybe in 10 or 15 years EVs will have two gears and the car will take care of changing gears without you noticing. Transmission types are a thing of the past. Enjoy them while you still can.

CVT, DCT, and manual transmissions differ in their mechanisms and operation. CVT prioritizes smoothness and fuel efficiency, DCT combines efficiency with quick shifts, and manual transmission offers direct driver control and engagement. The choice depends on driving preferences, convenience, and performance requirements.

Less and less manufacturers are offering manual shifting cars. Makes sense, automatic cars are becoming more efficient, even for people who prefer manual, especially for DTC