Manual transmissions have been around for a long time and if you have ever driven a manual you know how exciting they can be. Manual transmissions have also been referred to as standard transmissions, stick shifts, manual gearbox, or a simple gearbox. No matter what you call it, manual transmissions are fun to drive, better on fuel, reliable, and somewhat safer. So what do you know about manual transmissions; where did they come from, and how do they work? The Auto Repair Place in Boulder, CO knows, and now you will too.

Manual transmissions are simple in concept - different gears mesh together to form different ratios, allowing a broad range of speed and torque configurations. The stick shift is used to select the ratio, and the clutch is used to engage and disengage the transmission. The manual transmission as an idea has existed so long it’s kind of difficult to even pin down where it started - but in terms of the first time a recognizable manual transmission was fitted to a car, it starts about 1894.

In fact, that transmission looked a lot like the transmissions we see all the way up to the 1980s - a three-speed gearbox, nothing fancy, but durable and economical to produce. Really, manual transmissions were at their most complicated during the 20s and 30s, though complex designs were typically only used in higher-end vehicles, while manufacturers tried to make driving easier and more luxurious prior to the invention of the automatic.

Manual transmissions today aren’t much different than they’ve ever been. They synchronize better, shift smoother, and have more gears, but they are fundamentally the same as the transmissions of the 19th century. Certainly, something to be said for such a tried and proven design.

If you drive a manual transmission or have questions on a manual, we’ve got you covered. For the best transmission service shop in Boulder, CO, call or stop by The Auto Repair Place today.

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