Nissan led the charge into transmission innovation. Now there are signs that Nissan’s ditching its Xtronic CVT for an old-school system.
Why Do So Many Automakers Use the 8-Speed ZF Transmission?
What does the Aston Martin Vantage, Jeep Track Hawk, Toyota Supra, and pretty much every BMW have in common? They all use an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission. But wait, there’s more. In fact, there’s plenty of cars that are all different sizes and from different segments that use this same transmission, or at least …
Can You Still Have Fun In a Mazda MX-5 Miata With an Automatic Transmission?
As much as us driving enthusiasts would love to “save the manuals” and beg automakers to keep making cars with sticks, the truth of the matter is that we can’t. With the increasing number so millennials not learning how to drive stick – and not caring – we can’t expect that the do-it-yourself transmission is …
You Won’t Believe How Whale Oil Was Once Used in Cars
You probably don’t realize just how many fluids are in your car. Sure, the average driver knows the basics like windshield washer fluid and motor oil that has to be changed and certain intervals. We pay more mind to what we know needs to be changed frequently, but forget about servicing other fluids like brake …
Do Americans Hate Manual Transmissions?
It feels like the manual transmission is dying. Decades ago, automatics became the latest and greatest thing with the introduction of the first fully-automatic transmission, and whoever said it would be the death of the manual transmission wasn’t wrong. Car enthusiasts know all too well that there is just something personal about shifting gears, kicking …
What Are Paddle Shifters?
While manual transmissions are slowly (and sadly) making their way out of cars as time goes on, automatic transmissions are here to stay. However, the good news is that automatic transmission nowadays can shift faster than ever before and if you want to gain some control over that shift action, then most cars today come …
The Hydramatic Transmission is the Coolest Thing Since Sliced Bread
Whether or not you have heard the words “hydramatic transmission” before or not there, chances are you know what it is. The hydramatic transmission is one of the most important technological advances in modern automotive history. In fact, this special piece of machinery changed cars forever, and you probably have some version of it in …
Is a Manual Transmission More Reliable?
Not everyone even knows how to drive a manual transmission anymore. Still, it’s appreciated by many auto enthusiasts and lovers of driving that have a thing for staying connected with the vehicle. A general understanding of the way a clutch operates and the interaction with the drivetrain can make driving really fun. However, that might …
What Is the Difference Between Powertrain and Drivetrain?
Powertrain and drivetrain are some pretty common terms that get tossed around in auto industry jargon. But what do each of these words actually mean? Are they the same or different? It can help to know various terms that are common in the industry. Whether you are reading up on a certain vehicle as a …
Avoid These Cars If You Want a Reliable Transmission
Transmission repairs and replacements can be one of the most costly parts of car ownership, but automatic transmission problems aren’t something that most car owners struggle with. Transmissions can fail due to many reasons, including harsh shifting habits and manufacturer defects, but there are some car models that have been statistically more likely to have …
Is an Acura NSX with an Automatic Transmission Worth Buying?
For sports car purists, a manual transmission in anything that’s designed to be sporty goes hand-in-hand. In fact, anyone’s that is into driving cars with manual transmissions would choose to shift their own gears over a slower-shifting automatic, even if it were an SUV. There’s almost no better feeling than the sense of being more …
