I caught myself thinking how quickly you get used to the "good", even 4 years ago I would have been proving everything to everyone - (there is some truth here). But life turned out so that my wife passed on her license, and I had to buy a car with an automatic transmission (and I wanted to try it myself). And you know - I liked it, although today is not about that. I meet many "ardent" acquaintances who recognize only manual transmissions, and very often I hear epithets from them: - "What do you mean, the machine is unreliable and breaks down very quickly, but (the handle) is so reliable!" I was “tired” of listening to such statements and today I want to talk about the resource of an automatic transmission, as well as dispel many myths along the way! Well, let's talk about the conspiracy of manufacturers, where can we go without it ...
Needless to say, a mechanic, this is a fairly reliable unit - there is nothing to break, in fact, there is nothing, the resource is simply off scale. However, beginners manage to kill this transmission quickly and easily! But in fairness, it is not the gearbox itself that fails (although this happens), but optional equipment, do you understand what I mean? Of course - about the clutch, the basket, release bearing and a plug. It is here that the "Achilles' heel" of mechanics is, it is these elements that can fail after 30 - 40,000 kilometers (now about newly made drivers). Here is a resource for you - and the owner, in fact, “don't care” that this is not a box - but it is connected with the transmission! So there is something to think about ...
Machines in one pile
I am also a little annoyed by this fact - without understanding the structure, "garage experts" begin to lump all the machines in one heap and put a stigma on them - "unreliable"!
Guys, this is fundamentally wrong - because now there are at least three main types automatic transmissions Is a variator, an automatic machine and a robot. Each type has its own strengths and weak sides, the resource can differ "globally" - at times or even dozens of times.
WELL, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND ALL THE EGGS INTO ONE BASKET - THE MACHINES ARE DIFFERENT, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THIS!
To be honest, my friend has an old Toyota right-hand drive, back in the 90s, it has an old automatic transmission for 4 gears, mileage is about 400,000 kilometers, but the automatic transmission has never been repaired, but every 50,000 a full MOT is done, with an oil change , filters - sometimes the cooling radiator is washed. And you know, it works great, there are no jolts or other disruptions in work. However, not all automatic transmissions are "equally useful"! And often you can get just for a lot of money after 50,000 runs! But how? Read on
Robots or need to be careful
The lowest resource of all machines - to be honest, I do not recommend buying! What is a robot? In fact, it is a manual transmission with a servo drive (or electronic drive) installed on it, it is he who replaces the "clutch pedal" and takes all the functions of shifting over.
This is exactly the first "weak link" of robotic boxes, these drives are guided by many sensors - engine speed, temperature, speed, etc. - make decisions to switch or stay in this gear. These algorithms are not debugged, they work frankly poorly for almost all manufacturers, also the reliability of the servo or electric drives leaves much to be desired - and therefore robots are far from ideal!
Another weak link that directly affects the resource is the "tricky" clutch discs, sometimes it is one, sometimes there are two of them, for example, in the DSG from Volkswagen. The reliability of these disks is also low, you probably heard the scandals associated with these boxes at Volkswagen.
So my advice to you is if you take new car, the robot can still be considered, but the BU, and especially the DSG, I definitely do not advise you!
The average life of a robot ranges from 40 to 60,000 kilometers, why so little? YES, because problems will definitely come out, either with drives or with clutch discs, with software, but you never know with what.
So take better other transmissions, about them below.
Variator, why not?
The time has come for the monsters, the variator is quite popular on the Russian market, although it does not catch up with its opponent, the "hydraulic torque converter". The reliability of this unit is directly dependent on driving style, as well as on proper maintenance.
The most bottleneck - this is a variator belt, it is he who needs to be replaced over time. If you don’t change it, there is a high probability that it will scatter right inside the body and “kill” all components and assemblies. Therefore, a mandatory replacement of 100 - 120,000 km.
Also, an oil change and the desired filter change every 60,000 km (you can and more often walk longer).
Why the variator is so picky about lubrication, the whole point is that the belt runs between two shafts, which change their diameters (from speed and revolutions). If the oil is not changed, it begins to accumulate chips, dirt, etc., which settle on the belt, in fact act as an abrasive on the shafts. Hence, there is a lot of wear on both the shafts and the belt, which can indirectly lead to their destruction or great wear.
For the same reasons, you should not "tear" from its place on the variator, tow other cars, because all this is a lot of wear on the belt and shafts!
However, if all the manufacturer's requirements are met, then they can walk for a long time, except for the replacement of the belt at 120,000 (repair), then the resource grows to 200 - 250,000 kilometers, maybe more.
But again, it is worth noting that any tough actions, starting from a standstill with a "box", towing other cars on a cable (or houses), "slipping" in snowdrifts can significantly reduce the resource, so this is also not an unambiguous transmission.
Torque converter automatic or here it is reliability
YES fans of variators will forgive me, but the resource of a conventional machine is much higher than that of two rivals. Although now manufacturers are trying in every possible way to reduce it! But more on that later.
The structure is ancient, appeared along with mechanics (well, maybe a little later, not the point). Here, torque is transmitted from the engine to the transmission, and then to the wheels through a torque converter.
It has no servo, no clutch discs - the design is really reliable.
However, a conventional automatic machine is also picky about the quality of the oil (not like the variator, but still), if the torque converter itself is not changed for a long time, as well as the clutches (internal gears in the structure). Replacement should be approximately every 60 - 70,000 kilometers, and MANDATORY! It is advisable to change the filter of the machine and flush the cooling radiator.
If not to be unfounded, automatic transmissions run for a very, very long time, it’s even difficult to say how many, it is stated on the forums of Japanese manufacturers that it is not less than 500,000 kilometers, just think about it! And so I think that 250 - 300,000 km without repair is 100%.
But do not rush to clap your hands, this is not the case for all machines! Often, many owners neglect the operating conditions, do not change the oil, filter, and do not wash the cooling radiator. Therefore, some automatic transmissions may not live up to 100,000! Everything here directly depends on you, how you will take care of this node, what ATF liquid will pour, etc.
But among the top three contenders, the conventional torque converter has the largest resource of all. The second place is the variator, the third is the robot.
About the conspiracy of manufacturers
As a matter of fact, it seems to be not there! However, now more and more often you can find the so-called maintenance-free vending machines, supposedly they have oil filled for the entire service life, such as - the resource is huge. And more and more manufacturers are starting to use such automatic transmissions on their cars!
On the one hand, it’s kind of good - you “don’t take a steam bath”, don’t look into automatic transmissions, and simply operate the car.
On the other hand, this leads to disastrous results - I want to note that unattended vending machines NO! This is just a marketing ploy! And such an unknowing person rides until the car hits him with a "stake" and then it turns out that the transmission is "dead"! And it costs, just exorbitant money - I think 200 - 300 thousand rubles is 100%! It is here that the manufacturer and "rubs" his hands, and you remain at the broken "trough". No, of course this transmission can be repaired, yet it is not disposable, but damn it, it will also cost a lot!
Know before to change the oil () in the vending machine + filter. It was enough to remove the automatic transmission pan, drain the oil and change oil filter! But now it is almost impossible, of course, there is a filler neck on top, but there is no pan cover, you cannot drain the oil, you cannot change the filter! Only to remove and disassemble, which by the way is also not cheap!
Modern automotive automatic transmissions are high-tech devices that optimally realize dynamic performance power unit.
At the same time, it should be noted that to say the exact automatic transmission resource impossible. The operating life of the transmission depends on various factors. So, for example, on identical cars one transmission can last no more than 100,000 kilometers, while the other a similar car the service life of the automatic transmission will be more than half a million kilometers. In this case, the resource in to a greater extent depends on how the vehicle is used. so answer the question exactly what resource does the box have an automatic machine virtually impossible.
What factors affect the resource of the automatic transmission?
The durability of the transmission depends on timely and competent service. It is necessary, in accordance with the recommendations of the car manufacturer, to carry out and regularly monitor the condition of the radiator and oil receiver. Correct operation automatic transmission means proper heating of working fluids before starting the movement of the car. That is why in winter time years, you need to preheat the box, which takes one to two minutes. This is the only way to ensure maximum durability. automatic box gear, and do not wonder how long does the machine run.
Reliability of automatic transmission Toyota | Myth or Reality?
FROM the best side automatic transmissions from the Toyota manufacturer have proven themselves. Relatively simple construction combined with durability and excellent maintainability. Resource of automatic transmission Tayota can be about half a million kilometers. On average, at present, automatic transmissions can withstand a mileage of 200-300 thousand kilometers. After that, it is required to carry out a major overhaul of the transmission, which allows you to restore its operability.
How to extend the life of an automatic transmission?
Many car owners will think about the question how to increase the resource gearboxes. This can be done through the use of branded consumables and timely maintenance of transmissions. Most car manufacturers recommend an oil change every 50-60 thousand kilometers. Also, do not forget to regularly inspect the condition of the cooling radiators. It is the problem in most cases that leads to serious breakdowns transmissions. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to inspect the condition of the radiator every 20 thousand kilometers. If necessary, flushes it with special fluids and vacuum equipment.
Trust your car only to specialized service centers
If it is necessary to repair automatic transmissions, we recommend that you contact exclusively specialized workshops and official service centers. This will allow you to ensure the maximum quality of repairs for this rather complex mechanism. The same can be said about service gearboxes. Remember that saving on consumables and professional specialists in a vile way will lead to a loss in durability and reduce the resource of your transmission.
Helpful information:
As before, the key to the long-term operation of this automatic transmission is its careful operation. No overshoot, slippage and long journeys through mud should be allowed, especially in hot weather. In winter, warming up is mandatory, and the first kilometers are recommended to move only at a low uniform speed. When installing any additional protection the underbody needs to make sure that nothing prevents the transmission from breathing normally.
This machine is considered maintenance-free by the manufacturer, but servicemen recommend changing the oil at least once every 60 thousand kilometers. Original ELF RENAULTMATIC D3 SYN is highly recommended. Partial replacement is usually done transmission fluid by draining and filling a volume of about three liters. But if desired, a complete replacement is also possible, then the oil will need twice as much or so.
If the owner takes into account all of the above, the resource of the box will be at least 200 thousand kilometers. However, most drivers do not follow the recommendations and are unlikely to drive even half as much without major repairs.
"I don't need an eternal primus needle, I don't want to live forever"Ostap Bender
So, you are the proud owner of a car with an automatic transmission. The hassle of driving a car is significantly less than if you had a car with a mechanic. And what about the service?
Economics determines politics
Immediately, you need to divide all cars with automatic transmissions into those, during the operation of which the manufacturer intends to replace the working fluid, and those that are filled for the entire service life. The first are cars of venerable age: twenty years ago, most manufacturers included fluid replacement in an automatic transmission in the mandatory schedule maintenance... The mileage between replacements did not exceed 30–45 thousand kilometers. It should be noted that these were mineral-based liquids.
Now, many manufacturers do not indicate in service books the need to replace the fluid in the machine, robot or variator. In fairness, I note that today they use fluids on a semi-synthetic or synthetic basis. And this liquid is already considered to be filled for the entire service life of the car. How long is this? Manufacturers do not particularly advertise these figures, but it is known that lately they take into account annual mileage of no more than 30 thousand km, as well as the service life of a car up to three - maximum six years. It turns out that the resource of most cars, according to the manufacturer, varies within 90-180 thousand kilometers.
You buy a new car and plan to operate it no more than 3-5 years - there is no need to worry about changing the automatic transmission fluid. Unless, of course, your driving style is not too harsh when accelerating.You buy a new car and plan to operate it no more than 3-5 years - there is no need to worry about changing the automatic transmission fluid. Unless, of course, your driving style is too harsh when accelerating.
Many manufacturers are literally obsessed with lowering the cost of car ownership. And this figure includes the frequency and cost of the car. Some, for example, a well-known South Korean concern, do not see the need for more frequent replacement engine oil, even if the vehicle is operated in difficult conditions... What can we say about the fluid in an automatic transmission. It is important for them that during the warranty period the car is cheap to operate, and then, in the post-warranty period, if the unit requires overhaul, then this is only for the best. After all, the owner of the car will have to pay for it. Better yet, the consumer buys a new car.
On the other hand, the manufacturers of these very automatic transmissions insist on the need to replace the working fluid in the machine. First of all, they care about the brand image: it is not profitable for them if the opinion among motorists is widespread that ZF or Aisin machines fall apart immediately after warranty period.
Technical issues
A modern semi-synthetic or synthetic fluid, filled in the gearbox at the factory, lasts longer than engine oil because it is not exposed to such high temperatures, is not contaminated with combustion products and does not decrease due to waste. At the same time, an automatic transmission contains a large number of friction pairs, which (in contrast to engine parts) must operate precisely on friction. Friction is known to cause inevitable wear. Moreover, often dissimilar materials such as steel, aluminum, special friction materials wear out. Therefore, a filter and magnets are always included in the design of the gearbox to "catch" the steel particles.
Over time, wear products clog the surface of the filter element to such an extent that the fluid pressure in the system drops to unacceptable values \u200b\u200band the actuators stop working properly. And if the curtain of the filter element ruptures, then the entire flow of dirt will very quickly disable the control valves. Heavily contaminated working fluid leads to rapid wear of almost all parts of the transmission. Mechanical parts suffer - bearings, gears, clutches, valve body valves, pressure regulators. A large amount of swarf adhered to the shaft speed sensors can distort their readings, leading to malfunctions in the automatic transmission control system.
The automatic transmission can be used in different conditions. And, as a result, changing the fluid in the automatic transmission is desirable if the car is used:
- for driving in a large city with frequent downtime in traffic jams;
- at temperature conditionstypical for a harsh continental climate with cold winters and hot summers;
- with a driver accustomed to overly dynamic driving;
- with full load and frequent towing of a trailer or other vehicle;
- for off-road driving.
Now for some helpful tips ...
When to change the automatic transmission oil?
If you are going to drive a car longer than the warranty period or you have got a used car, then the fluid in the automatic transmission should be changed at intervals not exceeding 60 thousand km. And it is critically important to make a replacement before the box shows the slightest signs of unsatisfactory performance. Twitching, lagging when shifting gears or other abnormalities in operation are most often signs that the problem cannot be solved by replacing the fluid along with the filters. A positive result is likely to be given only by repairs at a specialized service.
How to change the oil in an automatic transmission?
You can change the fluid partially or completely, with or without replacing the filter element. Ideally, both filter and fluid should be completely replaced. But it is impossible to drain or pump it out without completely disassembling the unit. Up to half of the old liquid still remains in various nooks and crannies of the machine. And work with the removal of the gearbox is not cheap.
If the machine did not show signs of malfunction and the fluid change is of a preventive nature, then a partial replacement is sufficient. However, in any case, it is better to entrust the work to professionals. An experienced serviceman will be able to determine the condition of the drained working fluid and give recommendations. If the waste fluid contains a large amount of wear products, then a partial fluid change will only slightly delay the costly repair of the machine.
Change the filter in the vending machine or not?
It is not necessary to change the filter, made as a liquid receiver in the form of a metal case with a mesh, but it is necessary to thoroughly rinse it from varnish deposits and dirt. Carburetor Cleaner will do. Filter fine cleaninghaving a paper curtain must be replaced at each fluid change.
What kind of ATF to pour into the automatic box?
Since at partial replacement old liquids will inevitably mix with the new, should only be used original productrecommended by the manufacturer of the particular vehicle. Well, if your gearbox still gets on the bulkhead, then its parts will be completely cleaned of old fluid, and then it will be possible to refuel even more quality liquidthan was used at the plant. After all, oil manufacturers do not stand still and improve their products.
How to check the oil level in the automatic transmission?
I advise you to check the fluid level in an automatic transmission yourself only if it is equipped with a special dipstick. In other cases, a viewing ditch or lift is required. The requirements for the horizontal position of the car are great, and sometimes special keys and skills are needed. So it's better to use the service.
In our article, we will consider the pros and cons of a classic automatic transmission automatic transmission: the principle of operation, device, design features that require repair or replacement, characteristic shortcomings and malfunctions of an automatic transmission with a torque converter, as well as the resource and indisputable advantages of a traditional automatic transmission.
Pros and cons of automatic transmission
Automatic transmission, variator, robotic box gears - what to choose when ordering a car. Even 15-20 years ago, such a question was not even faced by domestic motorists, Soviet cars, and then russian production were only available with a manual transmission (manual transmission). With the advent of second-hand foreign cars in Russia and the opportunity to buy new cars from well-known world manufacturers, the alignment of forces has changed in favor of an automatic transmission, more and more potential owners began to purchase a car with an automatic transmission. At the end of 2012, more than 45% of those sold at russian market new foreign cars are equipped with automatic machines. Even AvtoVAZ in July 2012 pleased with the release budget sedan Lada Granta with automatic transmission.
This unit has undeniable advantages, but not without its disadvantages. Among the advantages is the convenience of controlling the driving force of the car, and the disadvantages include slow response, not too high performance and a relatively short resource - service life. However, it should be noted that newest gearboxes produce fast enough. Before you figure out what's what, you need to clearly understand the difference in terms. The automatic transmission consists of two units - the gearbox itself and the torque converter.
Torque converter device
So, a torque converter, or as it is also called a torque converter, is a combination of two blade devices - a turbine wheel and a centrifugal pump. They are connected together by a reactor or a stator, which directs that very torque. There is also a locking mechanism that acts on the stator if necessary, using overrunning clutch... The pump wheel is rigidly coupled with crankshaft motor, and the turbine - with the gearbox shaft.
The torque converter is filled with oil, during active operation it constantly mixes and heats up, which consumes a lot of useful energy, and the pump, which creates pressure in the working connecting tubes, also consumes it significantly. With a large difference in the revolutions between the pump and the turbine, the reactor is blocked and supplies a much larger volume of liquid to the pump wheel, as a result, the torque when starting from a standstill increases up to three times, reducing the transmission efficiency. All this explains the low overall efficiency of the gearbox as a whole, and also makes robotic manual transmissions and variators more attractive in this regard.
The transmission of torque in the torque converter is very smooth, which eliminates shock loads on the transmission, which gives a smooth ride to the car and has a positive effect on high-quality and long-term engine operation. However, problems can arise from the use of a torque converter: for example, starting the car with the help of a tug or a pusher, in which case, it will not work.
The device and principles of automatic transmission
Now let's deal with the device of the gearbox itself with a planetary gearbox and a clutch package. A planetary (differential) gearbox (transmission) is a mechanism that includes several planetary gears, which, during operation, rotate around the so-called sun, or central, wheel, usually in conjunction with it with the help of a carrier. An external ring gear-wheel is sometimes connected to the planetary gear, which is coupled with inside with planetary gears. When the gear is working to increase the frequency, the carrier rotates due to the operation of the engine. In this case, the ring gear is fixed, and the output shaft of the transmission works in conjunction with the sun gear.
The transmission can be made straight by fixing the released ring (ring) gear with a friction clutch. The reduction gear will be obtained when the sun gear is actuated by the engine with the carrier fixed. This removes power from the ring gear.
The clutch pack is a system of movable and stationary rings that rotate independently of each other until a gear is engaged. When pressure builds up in the corresponding line, the clutches are clamped by a hydraulic pusher. Those elements of the clutch, coupled with the planetary gear carrier, that were movable, will stall, stopping the carrier and engaging the gear.
The torque from the motor to the gearbox is transmitted by means of streams of working oil supplied by the blades of the pump wheel to the turbine blades. The gaps between the turbine and impeller wheels are minimal, and their blades have a harmonious and consistent structure, so the oil circulation circle is continuous. It turns out that there is no rigid connection between the engine and the gearbox, which ensures the operation of the engine and the ability to stop the car when the gear is engaged, as well as smooth transmission of traction.
It should be noted that according to the above scheme, a fluid coupling functions, transmitting torque without converting its value. The reactor incorporated in the design of the torque converter is designed to change the torque. It is the same wheel with small blades, but it does not rotate until a certain moment. The blades of the reactor have a specific structure and are in the path of the oil going back from the turbine to the pump. When the reactor is in the torque converter mode (without moving), it helps to increase the speed of the working fluid, which at this time makes a cycle between the wheels. The faster the oil moves, the higher the energy acting on the turbine wheel. Thanks to this effect, the torque developing on the turbine wheel shaft is significantly increased.
For example, in one of the ordinary situations, when the gear in the box is engaged, and the car is held in place by the brake pedal, the following occurs. The turbine wheel is stationary, while the torque in it is higher than that usually developed by the engine at these speeds by one and a half, or even twice, depending on the model. As soon as the brake pedal is released, the car starts to move and accelerates until the moment when the moment on the wheels is equal to the moment of resistance of the car.
When the speed of revolutions of the turbine wheel approaches the speed of the impeller, the reactor becomes free and starts rotating with them. This situation is called the transition of the torque converter to the fluid coupling mode, which helps to reduce losses and increase the efficiency of the torque converter.
Since there are cases when there is no need to convert torque, the torque converter can be completely blocked. friction clutch... In this mode, the transmission efficiency can reach almost 100%, since slippage between the paddle wheels is completely excluded.
However, for example, when the car is driving in a straight line, maintaining a constant speed, and then the road starts to go uphill, the torque converter will immediately react. When the speed of rotation of the turbine wheel decreases, the reactor starts to decelerate automatically, which will accelerate the movement of the working fluid, and, consequently, the torque transmitted to the shaft of the turbine wheel and, of course, to the wheels. Sometimes this increased torque will be enough to climb a hill without downshifting.
The torque converter is not able to change the rotational speed and torque over a large range, therefore a gearbox with a large number of stages is connected to it, which, moreover, will be able to provide a reverse stroke. Gearboxes working in conjunction with torque converters usually contain several planetary gears, and they have a lot in common with manual transmissions.
Gear wheels in mechanical box gears are always in engagement, while those that are driven rotate freely on the output shaft. When a gear is engaged, the corresponding gear is locked on the driven shaft. Automatic transmission works on the same principle, only planetary gears consist of elements such as satellites, carrier, ring and sun gears.
Such gearboxes set in motion some elements and fix others, thereby making it possible to change the speed of rotation, as well as the force transmitted by planetary gear... The latter is driven from the output shaft of the torque converter, while its corresponding elements are fixed by friction bands (packages). In a mechanical box, these functions are carried by blocking clutches and synchronizers.
The transfer is switched on as follows. The pressure of the working fluid from the torque converter drives the hydraulic tappet, which in turn presses on the clutch. The source of fluid pressure is a special pump, and the distribution of this pressure between the clutches occurs under the constant control of electronics using a set of electromagnetic solenoids (valves). In this case, the algorithm of the transmission must be observed.
The main difference between an automatic transmission and a manual transmission is gear shifting, which occurs in it so that the power flow is not interrupted: one gear is turned off, and at the same moment another is turned on. In this case, sudden jerks are excluded, since they are successfully extinguished and softened by the torque converter. However, it should be noted that modern gearboxes with sport mode settings do not differ in particular smooth operation, which is due to too fast changing from one gear to another. Such characteristics allow the car to accelerate faster, but, unfortunately, they wear out the clutches much faster, and also reduce the service life of both the transmission itself and the entire chassis.
Operation of the gearbox in various modes
In the very first generation automatic transmissions, the controls were fully hydraulic. Subsequently, the hydraulics began to perform only executive functions, while the entire algorithm was installed entirely in electronics. It is thanks to her that it became possible to implement various transmission modes - sharp acceleration (kick-down), economy mode, winter, sports and others.
For example, if we consider the sport mode, then with it the propulsion power is fully utilized - each subsequent gear is engaged at a speed crankshaftclose to the one at which the maximum torque value develops. A further increase in speed leads to an acceleration of the shaft speed to its maximum values, at which the engine operates on full power... It also happens further. At the same time, the machine is capable of developing much higher accelerations than when operating in normal or economic modes.
Most modern carsequipped with automatic transmissions have technologies that allow control algorithms to be activated on their own, depending on the driver's driving style. Electronics, automatically analyzing information from a variety of sensors, itself adapts the operation of the engine unit necessary in this case and makes a decision to shift gears at the right time in accordance with the required type of shifting.
If the driver drives the car calmly, accurately and smoothly, then the controller makes the appropriate settings, in which the engine does not reach power modes, which allows fuel to be consumed more economically. If the driver starts to press the gas pedal more sharply and often, then the electronics will immediately conclude that a more frisky acceleration is necessary, and the engine paired with the gearbox will immediately start working in sports mode. When returning to smooth pedaling, the box will again automatically switch to the normal operating program.
Semi-automatic box
The number of vehicles equipped with gearboxes is growing, where, in addition to automatic, there is also a semi-automatic control mode. In this case, the system only independently changes gears, and the driver gives the settings for this. However, this does not mean complete freedom of action in control - often the gearshift speed increases, but the shift times remain the same as with automatic mode... Some manufacturers are taking care of this, wanting to extend the life of the power unit. In the field of mechanical engineering, this system has different names - Steptronic, Autostick or Tiptronic.
Tuning automatic transmission
Not so long ago, it became possible to tune some automatic transmissions by reprogramming engine and gearbox control units. To improve the acceleration speed in the automatic transmission program, the moments when the transition from one gear to another occurs, and also significantly reduce the switching time. Computer techologies today they are developing rapidly, electronics have learned to analyze the degree of aging of the clutches and create the necessary pressure so that each clutch can engage. By registering the pressure, it is possible to predict the degree of wear of the clutches and, accordingly, the box itself. The control unit constantly monitors the health of the system and records in the memory codes of errors and failures that occurred in the operation of its elements.
IN emergency cases the control unit works in emergency modewhen all gear changes are blocked in the gearbox, and only one gear is working, usually the second or third. In this case, it is not advised to drive a car, it will not work, only a trip to the nearest car service in order to troubleshoot becomes possible.
Any gearbox is capable of meeting the expectations of the owner of the car, where it is installed, and serve over 200 thousand kilometers. However, it should be remembered that its trouble-free operation and long service life directly depend on proper operation and regular qualified maintenance.
Modes of operation of an automatic transmission
1.Parking (P) - parking mode, when all gears are turned off, the output shaft of the box and all its other controls are locked. When the engine is running, the shaft speed limiter begins to operate much earlier than it does during acceleration. Such protective measures against illiterate management do not allow unnecessary mixing working fluid transmissions.
2.Reverse (R) - transmission for vehicle movement in reverse.
3.Neutral (N) - neutral gear, when engaged, the drive wheels are not connected to the engine. There is no blocking of the output shaft, so the car is capable of coasting and it is also possible to tow it.
4.Drive (D) - the main mode for driving a car. In this mode, gears 1 to 3 (4) are switched automatically.
5.Sport (S) or as it is sometimes also called Power, PWR or Shift is a sport mode in which the engine runs at full power during acceleration and fuel consumption reaches its maximum value. It is possible to increase the speed of gear shifting from one to another (depends on the program and design). The motor, when the box is operating in this mode, is constantly in good shape and usually works at speeds close to those at which the maximum torque value develops. And, of course, you can forget about efficiency in these conditions.
6.Kick-down - downshift in order to realize a sharp acceleration (used, for example, when overtaking). The engine goes into high kickback mode. Because of this, as well as due to the increased gear ratio downshift there is a sharp pickup. To put the transmission in this mode. It is necessary hard pressing gas pedal. In earlier versions of transmissions, a characteristic click should be felt.
7.Overdrive (O / D) - a mode in which an overdrive is often included. This mode of driving at low revs significantly saves fuel, but the car loses its dynamics.
8.Norm - the most balanced mode in which gear shifts to higher gears occur gradually as the revs increase.
9.Winter (W, Snow) is the automatic transmission operating mode used in winter conditions. It carries out the starting off of the car from the second gear in order to avoid slipping. The transition from one gear to another for the same reason occurs more smoothly, on low revs... Acceleration is also slower.
10.If you set the lever opposite numbers 1, 2 or 3, then the box will not shift higher than the selected gear. This mode is used in difficult driving conditions, for example, on a serpentine road or when driving with a trailer or towing another car. In this case, the engine is capable of operating at medium and high loads without switching to top gear.
11.Some automatic transmission models provide for the possibility manual control box. The buttons with the "+" and "-" signs, denoting the presence of this possibility, may, depending on the model, be in different places - on the automatic transmission control selector itself, on the steering wheel or in the form of paddle shifters, etc. But in the self-control mode, the electronics still will not allow you to switch to inappropriate transmissions at a particular moment. The speed of the change of speeds will not be higher than that which is present in the sport mode.
