The world and technology are changing rapidly! With these developments comes the desire to learn more about the mechanisms you use in everyday life.
Automatic vehicles are among the key machines people use time and time again. As you grow your knowledge and strengthen your desire to discover more, you should know these four facts about automatic transmission.
Table of Contents
The Hydra-Matic Revolutionized Automatic Transmissions
If you’re wondering how the modern automatic transmission came to be, you should know that the Hydra-Matic design entirely changed the trajectory of transmissions. It’s a synchromesh transmission that Earl A. Thompson created. His invention permitted the gears to shift without the need for the driver to release the clutch.
The 1940 Oldsmobile developed by General Motors was the first synchromesh transmission that became the foundation of the cars people drive today.
Automatic Cars Made Driving More Accessible
A challenge manual vehicles pose is that they’re difficult to drive. Manual cars require advanced skills to drive safely and efficiently.
Automatic vehicles were the change. Once they became popular, driving became an accessible endeavor for more people. The widespread availability and ease of driving made this a revolutionary invention.
Increased Number of Gears Can Improve Fuel Efficiency
The earliest manual transmission only provided three speeds: one reverse gear and two forward gears. However, the automatic transmission in the 1940 Oldsmobile contained four speed gears. It was a wonderful innovation that made driving even simpler.
As technology grew, automatic vehicles became available with even more gears. This advancement also led to more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The increased number of gears allows the engine to provide power to the wheels while keeping the revolutions per minute (RPM) at a lower rate. In return, automatic vehicles consume less fuel, maximizing their use of gas.
Automatic Transmission Fluid Is the Key
Automatic transmissions use hydraulic mechanisms to place pressure on the fluid and generate power for the vehicle. There must be sufficient automatic transmission fluid in the reservoir to ensure the hydraulic system functions properly.
Transmission fluid lubricates gears, prevents the transmission from overheating, and allows the vehicle to run smoothly. When it’s time to fill your transmission fluid, your car will give you several signs, such as screeching sounds or slipping gears. Automotive technology continues to grow immensely. The development of automatic transmissions was just the beginning. After learning about these facts you didn’t know before, what else will you learn about the evolving technology of cars?