Transmission type (engine)

[Tracie Lynn]

The transmission is the part of a vehicle that transmits motive force from the engine to the wheels, usually by means of gears for different speeds using either a hydraulic torque-converter (automatic) or clutch assembly (manual). On front-wheel drive cars, the transmission is often called a transaxle. Fuel efficiency is usually higher with manual rather than automatic transmissions, although modern, computer-controlled automatic transmissions can be efficient.