22/10/2021
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Simply put, gear ratios exchange speed for power, or vice versa. If an engine is turning at 1000 RPM (revolutions per minute), and the gear ratio is 2:1, the wheels will turn at 500 RPM, however, the power required to achieve that is much less than if the wheels were turning at the same rate. This allows the vehicle to get moving when an engine alone would lack the power. As the vehicle gets moving and is assisted by its own momentum, the gear ratio can be shifted up, eventually reaching 1:1—the wheels turning at the same rate as the engine—and higher. Of course there are more factors to take into account, but in essence, this is what the transmission does.
The other significant component in this set up is a clutch. A clutch is an interface between the engine and the transmission which allows the driving force of the engine to be disengaged, such as during a gear change. A clutch will allow “slippage,” a partial transfer of drive. This allows for smooth gear changes rather than an immediate (and likely bone-jarring) shift from one gear to another. Now, onto the different types of transmission.
Pros
Low net weight
Low energy loss (through friction)
Better reliability when compared to complicated automatic transmissions
Inexpensive
Cons
Ease of use
