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D A T A SH E E T
# 2 4 C h o o sin g a to w car - w h ich
tran sm issio n fo r to w in g?
#24
T ra n s m is s io n o p tio n s - m a n u a l o r a u to m a tic
w h ic h is b e tte r fo r to w in g ?
T h ere are pros an d c on s to m an u al, au tom atic an d sem i-au tom atic gearboxes w h en
tow in g. Let th is gu ide h elp you c h oose. B en efit from free tow -m atc h in g w h en you
join th e C lu b .
O n e o f t h e m o s t im p o rt a n t d e cis io n s t o m a ke w h e n ch o o s in g a t o w ca r is t h e t yp e o f g e a rb o x.
P ro vid e d yo u h a ve w e ll-m a t ch e d ca r a n d ca ra va n (s e e t h e M a t ch in g C a r a n d C a ra va n D a t a Sh e e t
a t h t t p s ://w w w .ca m p in g a n d ca ra va n n in g clu b .co .u k/d a t a s h e e t s ), a n d d e cid e d w h e t h e r a p e t ro l,
d ie s e l o r h yb rid e n g in e b e s t s u it s yo u r n e e d s (s e e t h e W h ich Fu e l? D a t a Sh e e t ), ch o o s in g
b e t w e e n a m a n u a l a n d a u t o m a t ic t ra n s m is s io n is p ro b a b ly n e xt o n yo u r t o -d o lis t .
T h e ch o ice yo u m a ke m a y a lt e r t h e ca r's ke rb w e ig h t , le g a l t o w in g lim it a n d n o s e w e ig h t lim it .
Fu e l e co n o m y w ill b e a ffe ct e d , t o o , a s w ill t h e e a s e w it h w h ich yo u ca n s t a rt a ca r o n a h ill. In
s o m e ca s e s , yo u r ch o ice o f g e a rb o x co u ld m e a n it is w is e t o ch e ck w it h t h e d e a le r w h e t h e r a n y
a d d it io n a l co o lin g is re q u ire d w h ile t o w in g t o a vo id o ve rh e a t in g .
W it h s o m e ve h icle s , t h e d e cis io n m a kin g d o e s n o t e n d w it h t h e g e a rb o x. It m a y b e t h a t yo u r
ch o s e n t o w ca r is a va ila b le in t w o -w h e e l-d rive a n d fo u r-w h e e l-d rive ve rs io n s , in w h ich ca s e yo u
w ill n e e d t o d e cid e w h ich s u it s yo u r n e e d s . Fo u r-w h e e l d rive m a y s e e m t h e o b vio u s ch o ice fo r
t o w in g a ca ra va n o r t ra ile r, b u t t h e re a lit y is n o t n e ce s s a rily s o s t ra ig h t fo rw a rd .
W h y c h o o s e a m a n u a l g e a rb o x fo r to w in g ?
T h e m a jo rit y o f n e w ca rs co m e w it h m a n u a l g e a rb o xe s . A n a u t o m a t ic - if o n e is a va ila b le - w ill
u s u a lly b e a n e xt ra , co s t in g a ro u n d £ 1 ,5 0 0 .
So , a m a n u a l g e a rb o x h a s t h e a d va n t a g e o f b e in g ch e a p e r t o b u y. A s a ru le it 's a ls o ch e a p e r t o
fu e l. Fo r e xa m p le , a 2 0 2 0 Fo rd G a la xy 2 .0 1 5 0 P S E co B lu e s ix-s p e e d m a n u a l re t u rn s 3 9 .2 -5 2 .3 m p g
o n t h e co m b in e d cycle , T h e s a m e ca r w it h a n e ig h t -s p e e d a u t o a ch ie ve s 3 3 .6 -4 9 .6 m p g . T h a t 's
e n o u g h t o ke e p a n e xt ra £ 2 5 2 .0 5 in yo u r p o cke t fo r e ve ry 1 0 ,0 0 0 m ile s o f d rivin g (b a s e d o n a
d ie s e l p rice o f 1 3 0 .4 p p e r lit re ). A s w e ll a s b e in g m o re fu e l-e fficie n t , ca rs w it h a m a n u a l g e a rb o x
u s u a lly e m it le s s ca rb o n d io xid e (C O 2 ) t h a n a u t o s . In t h e Fo rd 's ca s e , t h e m a n u a l e m it s
1 3 4 g /km , t h e a u t o 1 4 0 g /km (b o t h fig u re s a re fo r ca rs w it h 1 7 -in ch a llo y w h e e ls ).
T h e re a re s o u n d re a s o n s t o p re fe r t h e w a y a m a n u a l d rive s , t o o . It g ive s t h e d rive r d ire ct co n t ro l
o ve r t h e g e a rb o x, s o h e o r s h e ca n a lw a ys s e le ct t h e a p p ro p ria t e ra t io a t t h e b o t t o m o f a h ill o r
b e fo re o ve rt a kin g . T h is co n t ro l o ve r g e a r s e le ct io n a ls o m e a n s d rive rs ca n u s e e n g in e b ra kin g t o
co n t ro l t h e o u t fit 's s p e e d w h e n t o w in g d o w n h ill.
So m e a u t o m a t ics h u n t a ro u n d b e t w e e n ra t io s w h e n t o w in g , w h ich ca n b e a n n o yin g . W it h a
m a n u a l g e a rb o x, t h e d rive r is a lw a ys in ch a rg e s o t h is ca n n o t h a p p e n .M a n u a ls a n d a u t o m a t ics
o ft e n h a ve d iffe re n t t o w in g lim it s . It 's m o re co m m o n fo r t h e m a n u a l's lim it t o b e h ig h e r, b u t
t h a t 's n o t a lw a ys t h e ca s e . T a ke t h e G a la xy 2 .0 1 5 0 P S E co B lu e , w h ich h a s a 1 ,8 0 0 kg lim it a s a
m a n u a l a n d a 2 ,0 0 0 kg m a xim u m a s a n a u t o .H o w e ve r, a 2 0 2 0 H yu n d a i Sa n t a Fe 2 .2 C R D i 4 W D
h a s a 2 ,5 0 0 kg m a xim u m a s a m a n u a l, t h a t d ro p s t o 2 ,0 0 0 kg fo r t h e a u t o .
So t h e o n ly s u re fire w a y t o kn o w if t h e m a n u a l o r a u t o ve rs io n h a s t h e h ig h e r lim it is t o ch e ck.
W h ile t h e d iffe re n ce b e t w e e n a le g a l m a xim u m o f 2 ,5 0 0 kg o r 2 ,0 0 0 kg m a y b e o f lit t le p ra ct ica l
d iffe re n ce t o m o s t ca ra va n n e rs , a s t h e m a jo rit y o f t o u re rs w e ig h le s s t h a n t w o t o n n e s , it
b e co m e s m o re s ig n ifica n t if t h e ch a n g e in le g a l m a xim u m m a ke s t o w in g im p ra ct ica l. Fo r
e xa m p le , a H o n d a C ivic 1 2 6 h p V T E C m a n u a l h a s a t o w in g lim it o f 1 2 0 0 kg , b u t t h a t d ro p s t o
8 0 0 kg fo r t h e a u t o , m a kin g it u n s u it a b le fo r a ll b u t u lt ra lig h t t o u re rs .
It is a ls o w o rt h n o t in g t h a t s o m e m a n u fa ct u re rs re d u ce t h e m a xim u m d o w n lo a d o n t h e t o w b a ll
fo r a u t o m a t ic m o d e ls in lin e w it h t h e re d u ce d le g a l t o w in g lim it .
W h y c h o o s e a n a u to m a tic g e a rb o x fo r
to w in g ?
If m a n u a ls a re ch e a p e r t o b u y, m o re fu e l-e fficie n t a n d m a y
h a ve h ig h e r le g a l t o w in g lim it s t h a n t h e s a m e ca r w it h a n
a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o x, w h y w o u ld yo u ch o o s e a n a u t o ?
D e s p it e t h e a d va n t a g e s o f a m a n u a l g e a rb o x, t h e re a re m a n y
re a s o n s w h y a n a u t o m a t ic m a y s u it yo u b e t t e r. Fo r o n e
t h in g , a u t o m a t ics a re g e n e ra lly s lig h t ly h e a vie r t h a n
m a n u a ls , w h ich b e n e fit s a ca r's m a t ch in g ra t io . In t h e ca s e
o f t h e Fo rd G a la xy, t h e d iffe re n ce is 1 1 kg . T h a t p u s h e s t h e
8 5 p e r ce n t m a t ch fig u re u p b y 9 kg , a lt h o u g h re a lly t h a t 's
u n like ly t o b e e n o u g h t o s w a y a t o w ca r b u ye r o n e w a y o r t h e
o t h e r.
A t yp ical au t o m at ic s elect o r w it h
m an u al o verrid e o n t h e left
A m o re co m p e llin g re a s o n is t h a t a u t o s m a ke d rivin g e a s ie r a n d m o re co m fo rt a b le , in d a ily u s e a s w e ll a s w h e n t o w in g . In s t o p -s t a rt t ra ffic a n a u t o b o x s p a re s t h e d rive r t h e ch o re o f w o rkin g t h e clu t ch p e d a l. E ve n w h e n t ra ffic is m o vin g fre e ly, le a vin g t h e g e a rb o x t o ch a n g e g e a r fo r yo u m a ke s t o w in g a m o re re la xe d e xp e rie n ce . H ill s t a rt s a re m o re s t ra ig h t fo rw a rd w h e n d rivin g a ca r w it h a n a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o x. T h e re is n o n e e d t o ju g g le t h e clu t ch a n d t h ro t t le p e d a ls , yo u ju s t re le a s e t h e p a rkin g b ra ke a n d a cce le ra t e a w a y. It is a s im ila r s t o ry w h e n m a n o e u vrin g o n a ca m p s it e . A g e n t le rig h t fo o t o n e it h e r t h e a cce le ra t o r o r b ra ke is a ll t h a t is n e e d e d , w it h n o n e e d t o s lip t h e clu t ch a s yo u d o w h e n d rivin g a m a n u a l ca r. A lt h o u g h e a s y t o d rive , s o m e d rive rs fe e l a n a u t o d o e s n o t g ive s u ch p re cis e co n t ro l o ve r t h e ca r, s w a p p in g g e a r ra t io s a t in o p p o rt u n e m o m e n t s o r h o ld in g o n t o a h ig h g e a r w h e n t o w in g d o w n a s t e e p h ill, w h e re e n g in e b ra kin g w o u ld b e a u s e fu l a id t o s t a b ilit y. Jag u ar 1 0 s p eed g earb o x T h is m a ke s it im p o rt a n t t o s e le ct t h e rid e m o d e fo r t o w in g . T h e re w o n 't b e a s p e cific t o w in g s e t t in g , b u t m a n y a u t o s h a ve w in t e r o r s p o rt m o d e s . O ft e n t h e 's p o rt ' s e t t in g ra t h e r t h a n 'd rive ' m a ke s b e s t u s e o f t h e e n g in e 's p e rfo rm a n ce . If t h e 'b o x t e n d s t o d it h e r o r a llo w t h e e n g in e t o la b o u r, s w a p p in g t o t h e s p o rt m o d e w ill ke e p t h e ca r in a lo w e r g e a r fo r lo n g e r a n d it w ill ch a n g e d o w n m o re re a d ily w h e n a cce le ra t in g . T h is ca n b e u s e fu l w h e n t o w in g u p h ill o r o ve rt a kin g , m a kin g it e a s ie r t o h o ld s p e e d o n a g ra d ie n t o r a cce le ra t e p ro m p t ly w h e n re q u ire d A lm o s t a ll a u t o s h a ve a m a n u a l o ve rrid e fu n ct io n . U s u a lly a cce s s e d b y m o vin g t h e le ve r s id e w a ys t h e n p u s h in g it fo rw a rd s t o ch a n g e u p o r p u llin g it b a ck t o ch a n g e d o w n , t h is g ive s t h e d rive r co n t ro l o ve r g e a r s e le ct io n . So m e ca rs a ls o h a ve p a d d le s b e h in d t h e s t e e rin g w h e e l, s o t h e d rive r ca n ch a n g e g e a r w it h o u t h a vin g t o t a ke a h a n d fro m t h e w h e e l. T o a la rg e d e g re e t h is g ive s t h e d rive r t h e b e s t o f b o t h w o rld s , w it h t h e co n ve n ie n ce o f a n a u t o b u t t h e co n t ro l o f a m a n u a l. A s w e ll a s in vo lvin g t h e d rive r m o re in re ce n t t im e s , a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o xe s h a ve a ls o im p ro ve d in t e rm s o f e fficie n cy. W h ile it is s t ill t ru e t h a t in m o s t ca s e s a u t o m a t ics a re le s s e co n o m ica l t h a n m a n u a ls , t h e re a re a h a n d fu l o f m o d e rn a u t o m a t ics t h a t b e a t t h e fu e l e co n o m y fig u re s o f t h e ir m a n u a l e q u iva le n t s . So m e a u t o m a t ic - b o xe s n o w h a ve e ig h t , n in e o r e ve n t e n fo rw a rd g e a rs , w h ich m e a n s t h e e n g in e s p e n d s m o re t im e o p e ra t in g in t h e m o s t e fficie n t p a rt o f t h e re v ra n g e . H a vin g s o m a n y ra t io s a ls o a llo w s fo r a ve ry h ig h t o p g e a r fo r m o t o rw a y cru is in g w it h o u t a n y lo s s o f p e rfo rm a n ce . M o d e rn t o rq u e co n ve rt e rs lo ck-u p a t s p e e d t o p re ve n t a n y p o w e r-s a p p in g s lip , w h ile d e s ig n s h a ve b e co m e lig h t e r a n d e le ct ro n ic co n t ro l o ve r t h e b e h a vio u r o f t h e g e a rb o x (a n d t h e e n g in e , w h ile t h e b o x ch a n g e s g e a r) h a s b e co m e e ve r m o re s o p h is t ica t e d . T a ke a 2 0 2 0 B M W 3 1 8 d Sa lo o n a s a n e xa m p le . T h e s ix-s p e e d m a n u a l ve rs io n e m it s ju s t 1 0 9 g /km o f C O 2 , w h e re a s t h e m a n u a l e m it s 1 1 3 g /km . In p ra ct ice t h e re w ill b e ve ry lit t le d iffe re n ce in t h e fu e l e co n o m y a d rive r w o u ld a ch ie ve in e ve ryd a y d rivin g o r w h ile t o w in g .
W h y th in k tw ic e a b o u t to w in g w ith a n a u to ? N o t a ll re s e rva t io n s a b o u t a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o xe s h a ve b e e n fu lly a d d re s s e d . R e s e a rch b y m e ch a n ica l b re a kd o w n in s u ra n ce p ro vid e r, W a rra n t y D ire ct , s u g g e s t s a u t o s a re n o t a s re lia b le a s m a n u a ls . A ft e r a n a lys in g it s 5 0 ,0 0 0 p o licie s in 2 0 1 3 , W a rra n t y D ire ct fo u n d t h a t a cla im t o re p a ir a n a u t o co s t a n a ve ra g e o f £ 1 ,0 7 0 .4 9 , w h ile m a n u a ls co s t £ 8 2 4 .2 8 . N o t o n ly d id t h e re s e a rch s h o w t h a t a u t o m a t ics w e re m o re e xp e n s ive t o re p a ir, it a ls o fo u n d t h e y n e e d a t t e n t io n m o re o ft e n . O n e in 8 0 a u t o m a t ics h a d s u ffe re d a p ro b le m in t h e p re vio u s 1 2 m o n t h s , co m p a re d w it h o n e in 1 8 0 m a n u a ls . W a rra n t y D ire ct 's s t u d y m a d e n o d is t in ct io n b e t w e e n ca rs u s e d fo r t o w in g a n d t h o s e w h ich w e re n o t , s o it is p o s s ib le t h e d iffe re n ce in re lia b ilit y co u ld b e m o re m a rke d a m o n g t o w ca rs . O ve rh e a t in g a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o xe s h a s lo n g b e e n a w o rry fo r t o w ca r d rive rs . T o d a y, m o s t a u t o m a t ic ca rs ca n t o w w it h o u t a n y g re a t ris k o f o ve rh e a t in g s o lo n g a s t h e le g a l t o w in g lim it is re s p e ct e d . B ill M cD o n o u g h o f in d e p e n d e n t g e a rb o x s p e cia lis t , H a rd y E n g in e e rin g , s e e s n o re a s o n t o fit e xt ra co o lin g t o a m o d e rn a u t o m a t ic w h e n t o w in g . "W e 're n o t s e e in g m o d e rn ve h icle s w it h b u rn t o u t p a rt s a n d a t o w b a ll o n t h e b a ck," h e s a ys . "A lt h o u g h w it h ve h icle s fro m 1 5 ye a rs a g o o r m o re , a d d it io n a l co o lin g ca n 't h u rt ." If yo u d o ch o o s e t o fit a d d it io n a l co o lin g t o a n o ld e r ca r, t h e Fe d e ra t io n o f A u t o m a t ic T ra n s m is s io n E n g in e e rs (w w w .fe d a u t o .co .u k) w ill b e a b le t o p o in t t o w ca r d rive rs in t h e d ire ct io n o f a lo ca l s p e cia lis t . It is co m m o n t o h e a r m e m b e rs co m m e n t s t h a t a u t o g e a rb o xe s a re s e a le d fo r life s o n o o il o r filt e r ch a n g e s a re n e e d e d . T h is ca n b e m is le a d in g a s t h e o il w ill d e g ra d e o ve r t im e a n d d e b ris d u e t o t h e n o rm a l o p e ra t io n w ill co lle ct in t h e filt e r. It is o u r u n d e rs t a n d in g t h a t t h is co m m e n t re la t e s t o n o rm a l u s e w h ile w it h in t h e life o f t h e w a rra n t y, n o t t h e life o f t h e ve h icle a n d m a yb e t h e re a s o n w h y a u t o s re lia b ilit y is q u e s t io n e d o n u s e d ve h icle s . It 's w o rt h ch e ckin g yo u r ca r's h a n d b o o k a n d s e rvicin g s ch e d u le o r s p e a kin g t o t h e g e a rb o x m a ke r a b o u t a n y s p e cific re co m m e n d a t io n s a ro u n d t o w in g a n d g e a rb o x m a in t e n a n ce , Fo r e xa m p le , t h e G e rm a n g e a rb o x m a ke r, Z F, re co m m e n d s t ra n s m is s io n o il ch a n g e s e ve ry 8 0 ,0 0 0 m ile s o r e ig h t ye a rs , b u t w a rn s t h a t "m a n y t rip s w h ile t o w in g a t ra ile r" m a y le a d t o h ig h e r o p e ra t in g t e m p e ra t u re s , a g e in g t h e o il s o o n e r. So it 's w o rt h a s kin g fo r t h e co n d it io n o f t h e t ra n s m is s io n o il t o b e ch e cke d w h e n t h e ca r is s e rvice d . So m e t h in g e ls e t o ke e p in m in d : b e fo re ch o o s in g a n o ld e r u s e d ca r w it h t h e in t e n t io n o f t o w in g , it 's w o rt h ch e ckin g if t h e ca r co m e s w it h e n h a n ce d e n g in e a n d g e a rb o x co o lin g fo r ca rs t h a t a re o rd e re d w it h a fa ct o ry-fit t o w b a r. O t h e rw is e id e n t ica l ca rs t h a t a re s u b s e q u e n t ly fit t e d w it h a ft e rm a rke t t o w b a rs w ill n o t h a ve t h e s a m e co o lin g a n d co u ld b e m o re p ro n e t o o ve rh e a t in g . Fit t in g a t o w b a r t o s u ch a ca r w it h o u t a d d it io n a l co o lin g co u ld in va lid a t e t h e o rig in a l m a n u fa ct u re r's w a rra n t y if t h e ca r t h e n d e ve lo p s a fa u lt w it h t h e e n g in e o r g e a rb o x. It is u s u a lly p o s s ib le t o re t ro fit t h e a d d it io n a l co o lin g b u t t h is ca n b e a s ig n ifica n t e xt ra co s t , s o m e t im e s thousands of pounds.
A s a p re ca u t io n , it is a lw a ys w o rt h ch e ckin g w it h a ca r m a n u fa ct u re r if it re co m m e n d s a d d it io n a l co o lin g if yo u a re b u yin g a u s e d a u t o m a t ic ca r a n d p la n t o fit a t o w b a r. T h is is t h e o n ly re a l e xce p t io n t o t h e ru le o f t h u m b t h a t m o d e rn a u t o s ca n t o w q u it e h a p p ily w it h o u t m o d ifica t io n . T o w in g w ith a s e m i-a u to m a tic tra n s m is s io n C o n ve n t io n a l a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o xe s u s e a t o rq u e co n ve rt e r (a t yp e o f h yd ra u lic co u p lin g ) ra t h e r t h a n a clu t ch t o t ra n s m it t h e e n g in e 's p o w e r t h ro u g h t h e g e a rs . H o w e ve r, s e m i-a u t o m a t ic t ra n s m is s io n s a re e ffe ct ive ly m e ch a n is e d m a n u a ls - t h e y s t ill h a ve a clu t ch , b u t n o clu t ch p e d a l s in ce g e a r ch a n g e s a re e le ct ro n ica lly co n t ro lle d . In m o s t re s p e ct s t h is t yp e o f g e a rb o x fe e ls m u ch like a n o rm a l a u t o m a t ic fro m b e h in d t h e w h e e l. L e a ve t h e ca r in d rive a n d it w ill ch a n g e g e a r w it h n o in t e rve n t io n fro m t h e d rive r. A s w it h a m o d e rn a u t o , t h e re is u s u a lly a m a n u a l o ve rrid e u s in g t h e g e a r le ve r o r p a d d le s b e h in d t h e w h e e l. So m e g e a rb o xe s o f t h is kin d u s e a s in g le clu t ch like a co n ve n t io n a l m a n u a l g e a rb o x. O t h e rs , like t h e V o lks w a g e n G ro u p 's D ire ct Sh ift G e a rb o x (D SG ), u s e a d u a l-clu t ch a n d a re e ffe ct ive ly t w o g e a rb o xe s in o n e . T h e o d d g e a r ra t io s a re in o n e h a lf o f t h e g e a rb o x, t h e V W D S G g earb o x e ve n ra t io s a re in t h e o t h e r. T h e n e xt ra t io is p re - s e le ct e d , w h ich m a ke s fo r ve ry q u ick g e a r ch a n g e s . T h e b e s t D SG -s t yle s ys t e m s ch a n g e g e a r s m o o t h ly a s w e ll a s q u ickly. D iffe re n t ca r m a ke rs u s e o t h e r n a m e s fo r t h e ir s e m i-a u t o m a t ic t ra n s m is s io n s , b u t e xa m p le s in clu d e A u d i's S t ro n ic, B M W 's M D C T , a n d Fo rd 's P o w e rSh ift . Se m i-a u t o s a re g e n e ra lly m o re e fficie n t t h a n a co n ve n t io n a l t o rq u e - co n ve rt e r a u t o m a t ic, w it h le s s p o w e r lo s s le a d in g t o im p ro ve d fu e l e co n o m y. H o w e ve r, in re ce n t ye a rs co n ve n t io n a l a u t o s h a ve im p ro ve d h u g e ly s o t h e fu e l e co n o m y b e n e fit s o f a D SG -s t yle g e a rb o x o ve r a re g u la r a u t o a re n o t a s p ro n o u n ce d a s t h e y u s e d t o b e . W h e t h e r a s e m i-a u t o m a t ic is m o re o r le s s fu e l-e fficie n t t h a n t h e m a n u a l e q u iva le n t d e p e n d s o n t h e p a rt icu la r ca r, t h e n u m b e r o f fo rw a rd g e a rs a n d t h e g e a r ra t io s ch o s e n . B u t m o re o ft e n t h a n n o t , it 's s lig h t ly le s s e co n o m ica l t h a n t h e m a n u a l. Fo r e xa m p le , a 2 0 2 0 V o lks w a g e n P a s s a t E s t a t e 2 .0 T D I 1 5 0 P S m a n u a l ca n a ch ie ve 5 4 .3 -5 7 .6 m p g o n t h e co m b in e d cycle , co m p a re d w it h 5 1 .4 -5 5 .4 m p g fo r t h e D SG . T h e le g a l t o w in g lim it s fo r t h e s a m e ca r w it h a m a n u a l o r a s e m i-a u t o m a t ic g e a rb o x a re o ft e n t h e s a m e , b u t it is a lw a ys w o rt h ch e ckin g .
T o w in g w ith a C V T
A s w e ll a s t o rq u e -co n ve rt e r a u t o m a t ics a n d s e m i-a u t o m a t ic t ra n s m is s io n s , s o m e ca rs a re fit t e d
w it h C o n t in u o u s ly V a ria b le T ra n s m is s io n s (C V T s ). T h e s e u s e va ria b le d ia m e t e r p u lle ys t o a lt e r
t h e g e a r ra t io .
Su b a ru fa vo u rs t h is kin d o f a u t o m a t ic t ra n s m is s io n , a n d ca lls it L in e a rt ro n ic. A u d i h a s o ffe re d
C V T t ra n s m is s io n s , ca lle d M u lt it ro n ic, in t h e p a s t , a lt h o u g h it n o w fa vo u rs t h e D SG -s t yle S t ro n ic
t ra n s m is s io n in s t e a d . H o n d a fit s C V T t ra n s m is s io n s t o s o m e m o d e ls , w it h o u t a fa n cy n a m e .
In t h e o ry, C V T s o ffe r e xce p t io n a l e fficie n cy. In s t e a d o f
ju m p in g b e t w e e n s t e p p e d ra t io s , t h e g e a rin g o f a C V T
va rie s co n t in u o u s ly, a s t h e n a m e im p lie s . T h is s h o u ld
m e a n t h e e n g in e is a lw a ys w o rkin g a t t h e o p t im u m
re vs fo r e it h e r e co n o m y o r a cce le ra t io n .
In p ra ct ice , C V T s t a ke s o m e g e t t in g u s e d t o . P re s s
d o w n o n t h e t h ro t t le a n d t h e re vs s u d d e n ly ris e , t h e n
s t a y co n s t a n t a s t h e g e a r ra t io a d ju s t s t o b u ild
a cce le ra t io n . It ca n s e e m d is co n ce rt in g fo r t h e e n g in e
t o h o ld t h e s a m e re vs a s t h e ca r g a in s s p e e d , a n d m e a n s t h e vo lu m e o f e n g in e n o is e ris e s
a b ru p t ly t h e n d ie s a w a y a g a in ju s t a s q u ickly w h e n t h e d rive r e a s e s o ff o n t h e t h ro t t le .
P a rt ly t o a d d re s s t h is , m a n y C V T s h a ve m a n u a l o ve rrid e s
w it h s e t ra t io s t o m im ic t h e b e h a vio u r o f a n o rm a l g e a rb o x.
So m e a ls o u s e s e t ra t io s if t h e d rive r is a cce le ra t in g h a rd ,
a n d b e h a ve a s a co n ve n t io n a l C V T o n a lig h t t h ro t t le .
T h e y're ce rt a in ly n o t fo r e ve ryo n e , b u t , o n ce u s e d t o t h e ir
fo ib le s s o m e d rive rs b e co m e firm fa n s o f C V T s ' e fficie n cy a n d
s m o o t h p o w e r d e live ry.
T h is t yp e o f t ra n s m is s io n u s e d t o h a ve a p o o r re p u t a t io n fo r A m o d ern C V T d riveb elt
re lia b ilit y, b u t re ce n t d e s ig n s a re m o re ro b u s t a n d ca n h a ve
h ig h t o w in g lim it s . Fo r e xa m p le , t h e 2 0 2 0 Su b a ru Fo re s t e r e -B o xe r h a s a 1 ,8 7 0 kg lim it .
C V T s a re co m m o n ly u s e d in h yb rid ca rs , w h ich co m b in e a n
in t e rn a l co m b u s t io n e n g in e w it h e le ct ric p o w e r. L e xu s u s e s
a n E -C V T a s t h e t ra n s m is s io n in it s N X h yb rid SU V , fo r
e xa m p le . T h e 4 x4 ve rs io n o f t h is ca r h a s a re s p e ct a b le
1 ,5 0 0 kg t o w in g lim it . P o w e r fro m t h e p e t ro l e n g in e o n ly e ve r
g o e s t o t h e fro n t w h e e ls , b u t a n e le ct ric m o t o r ca n a d d d rive
t o t h e re a r w h e e ls w h e n n e e d e d . T h is cle ve rly m a ke s t h e N X
a 4 x4 w it h n o n e e d fo r a d rive s h a ft ru n n in g fro m t h e p e t ro l
e n g in e t o t h e b a ck o f t h e ca r.
N is s an X t ro n ic C V T g earb o xS h o u ld I to w w ith a 4 x 4 ?
W h a t e ve r s t yle o f g e a rb o x is ch o s e n , fo u r-w h e e l d rive h a s m a n y a d va n t a g e s fo r t o w in g .
T h e m o s t o b vio u s is t h e e xt ra t ra ct io n o f a fo u r-w h e e l-d rive s ys t e m . B e ca u s e t h e e n g in e 's p o w e r
is s p lit b e t w e e n fo u r w h e e ls ra t h e r t h a n t w o , t h e w h e e ls a re le s s like ly t o s p in . It m e a n s a fo u r-
w h e e l-d rive ca r w ill b e b e t t e r a b le t o t o w a w a y fro m a m u d d y p it ch . L o w ra t io t ra n s fe r - b o xe s
a re a g re a t h e lp w it h t h is kin d o f lo w -s p e e d m a n o e u vre , b u t e le ct ro n ic d rive r a id s a re
in cre a s in g ly t a kin g t h e p la ce o f t h is fo rm o f m e ch a n ica l h e lp .
D o n o t fo rg e t , it is n o t ju s t o n ro u g h g ro u n d o r o ff-ro a d t h a t t h e re is a b e n e fit t o fo u r-w h e e l
d rive . T h e a d d e d t ra ct io n is n o t ice a b le o n t a rm a c, t o o , e s p e cia lly in w e t w e a t h e r.
A n o t h e r a d va n t a g e is t h e e xt ra w e ig h t o f a 4 x4 . T h e
2 0 2 0 H yu n d a i Sa n t a Fe 2 .2 C R D i 2 W D h a s a m in im u m
ke rb w e ig h t o f 1 ,8 2 5 kg in t w o -w h e e l-d rive fo rm . T h e
4 x4 w e ig h s a t le a s t 1 ,8 9 0 kg . So , a n a ll-w h e e l-d rive
(A W D ) ca r g e n e ra lly h a s b e t t e r t ra ct io n , o n a n d o ff
ro a d , a n d w ill w e ig h m o re t h a n a t w o -w h e e l-d rive
e q u iva le n t . H o w e ve r, a n A W D m o d e l w ill a ls o co s t
m o re t o b u y: t h e Sa n t a Fe 4 x4 is £ 1 ,8 1 0 m o re
e xp e n s ive t h a n t h e fro n t -w h e e l-d rive m o d e l.
A n A W D m o d e l w ill b e le s s fu e l e fficie n t . In t h e Maz d a fo u r w h eel d rive s ys t em
H yu n d a i's 's ca s e , e co n o m y w o rs e n s fro m 4 3 .5 m p g t o
4 1 .5 m p g . T h a t m a ke s fo r a n e xt ra £ 6 5 .8 6 7 in fu e l co s t s o ve r 1 0 ,0 0 0 m ile s , b a s e d o n a d ie s e l
p rice o f 1 3 0 .4 p p e r lit re .
T h e p e n a lt y a t t h e p u m p s is n o t a s b ig a s it u s e d t o b e , p a rt ly b e ca u s e m a n y 4 x4 s ys t e m s
o p e ra t e a s t w o -w h e e l d rive s u n t il s e n s o rs d e t e ct t h e d rive n w h e e ls a re s lip p in g . T h is ca n b e a
m ixe d b le s s in g , t h o u g h , a s t h e re is s o m e t im e s a s lig h t d e la y w h ile t h e fro n t w h e e ls s t ru g g le fo r
g rip b e fo re p o w e r is s e n t t o t h e re a r w h e e ls a s w e ll.
O t h e rs 4 x4 s h a ve s e le ct a b le fo u r-w h e e l d rive a n d ca n b e d rive n in t w o -w h e e l-d rive m o d e u n t il
A W D t ra ct io n is n e e d e d . H o w e ve r, e ve n if a ca r is n o m in a lly t w o -w h e e l d rive m o s t o f t h e t im e
t h e e xt ra w e ig h t o f t h e fo u r-w h e e l-d rive h a rd w a re w ill t a ke it s t o ll o n fu e l e co n o m y a n d ca rb o n
d io xid e e m is s io n s .
G o fo r a b ig SU V -s t yle 4 x4 , a s o p p o s e d t o a h a t ch b a ck
o r e s t a t e w it h A W D , a n d yo u ca n u s u a lly e xp e ct a h ig h
ke rb w e ig h t a n d t o w in g lim it . A lw a ys ch e ck b e fo re yo u
b u y, t h o u g h . Fo r e xa m p le , it is e a s y t o b e ca u g h t o u t
b y a s u rp ris in g ly lo w n o s e w e ig h t lim it . A lt h o u g h m a n y
4 x4 s h a ve lim it s o f 1 0 0 kg o r m o re , a 2 0 1 1 K ia So re n t o
a u t o m a t ic h a s a n o s e w e ig h t lim it o f ju s t 8 0 kg .
O n b a la n ce , s h o u ld d rive rs ch o o s e a 4 x4 fo r t o w in g ? If
yo u t o w re g u la rly in a ll w e a t h e rs a n d fre q u e n t ly s t a y
G K N A W D ru n n in g g ear as fit t ed t o 2 0 1 6
o n g ra s s p it ch e s , fo u r-w h e e l d rive is p ro b a b ly w o rt h V o lvo X C 9 0
t h e e xt ra p u rch a s e p rice a n d h ig h e r ru n n in g co s t s . B u t
e ve n fo r a fo u r-s e a s o n ca ra va n n e r, A W D is n o t e s s e n t ia l. If yo u m o s t ly re s t rict yo u r t o u rin g t o
s p rin g , s u m m e r a n d e a rly a u t u m n - s p e cia lly if yo u fa vo u r h a rd s t a n d in g p it ch e s - yo u s h o u ld b e
fin e w it h a t w o -w h e e l-d rive ca r.C h o o s e a m a n u a l g e a rb o x if...
Y o u w a n t fu ll co n t ro l o ve r t h e ch o ice o f g e a r a ll t h e t im e
K e e p in g t h e p u rch a s e p rice d o w n is im p o rt a n t
Fu e l e co n o m y is a p rio rit y.
C h o o se a a u to m a tic g e a rb o x if...
E a s e o f u s e is im p o rt a n t t o yo u
Y o u re g u la rly d rive in h e a vy t ra ffic
H a s s le -fre e h ill s t a rt s a p p e a l.
C h o o se a 4 x 4 if...
Y o u t o w a ll-ye a r-ro u n d a n d in a ll w e a t h e rs
Y o u fre q u e n t ly s t a y a t fa rm s it e s o r o n g ra s s y p it ch e s
T h e e xt ra ke rb w e ig h t m a ke s fo r a m o re s e n s ib le m a t ch in g ra t io .
If yo u h a ve fe e d b a ck o n o u r n e w fo rm a t D a ta sh e e t, p le a se le t u s kn o w , u sin g o u r sh o rt
Fe e d b a ck Fo rm .G lo ssa ry
A utom atic g earb ox
C o nv e nt io na l a ut o ma t ic g e a rb o xe s us e a t o rq ue c o nv e rt e r (a kind o f hy d ra ulic c o up ling ) ins t e a d o f t he fric t io n
c lut c h us e d w it h a ma nua l g e a rb o x. T he s e a re t he le a s t e ffic ie nt o f t he a ut o s d ue t o lo s s e s w it hin t he t o rq ue
c o nv e rt e r.
S o me t ime s t he t e rm a ut o ma t ic is us e d t o d e s c rib e o t he r t y p e s o f t ra ns mis s io n w hic h d o no t ha v e a t o rq ue
c o nv e rt e r, b ut w hic h c ha ng e g e a r fo r t he d riv e r.
S em i-autom atic g earb ox
T his t y p e o f t ra ns mis s io n ha s a c o nv e nt io na l c lut c h, b ut b e c a us e t he p ro c e s s o f c ha ng ing g e a r is a ut o ma t e d t he re
is no ne e d fo r a c lut c h p e d a l. M o s t g e a rb o xe s o f t his t y p e b e ha v e like a re g ula r a ut o ma t ic g e a rb o x in no rma l us e ,
b ut a ls o a llo w t he d riv e r t o c ha ng e g e a r us ing le v e rs o r p a d d le s .
C V T (C on tin uously Variab le Tran sm ission )
A C V T us e s v a ria b le d ia me t e r p ulle y s t o v a ry t he g e a r ra t io . T he la t e s t g e a rb o xe s o f t his t y p e a re v e ry e ffic ie nt ,
b ut t a ke s o me g e t t ing us e d t o a s t he w a y t he e ng ine ho ld s c o ns t a nt hig h re v s und e r ha rd a c c e le ra t io n w hile t he
g e a r ra t io a d jus t s t o b uild s p e e d s e e ms o d d a t firs t .
C o n ta cts
W eb: T h e C a m p in g a n d C a ra va n n in g C lu b
T he C a mp ing a nd C a ra v a nning C lub
Gre e nfie ld s Ho us e
W estw ood W ay
C o v e nt ry
C V 4 8JH
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