There are multiple types of automatic transmissions on today’s vehicles, two popular ones being CVT and DCT. These two are considered great forms of transmissions for cars, or when you simply does not prefer a stick.
But when you're shopping for a new car, you might get lost somewhere along the way if you don’t fully understand the difference between CVT and DCT. Here’s a simple explanation.
What is a transmission?
First, we need to understand what a car transmission is.
Often you see the term 5-speed transmission. It refers simply to the gearbox that uses gears and gear trains to provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device.
In other words, the transmission mechanics give the car the ability to switch between gears as speed varies, from starting speed up to a cruising speed. It “shifts” among the gears when distributing power.
Manual versus Automatic
In cars where either a manual transmission or an automatic transmission is available, the manual is usually the cheaper option and the automatic is the more expensive option.
Manual transmissions are usually harder to learn to drive because they require a stick and a clutch to change gears, as compared to the automatic transmissions which uses a computer to shift when applicable on its own.
As for fuel consumption, modern automatics can achieve similar fuel consumption to manual transmissions, and sometimes, can be more fuel-efficient than their manual counterparts. This makes a car with an automatic transmission a good choice for urban commuters.
CVT versus DCT
Have you wondered what the differences are between these two types of automatic transmissions? Aesthetically, they’re quite different, but what are the fundamental differences that set them apart? What type of transmission will be best for your driving situation?
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) can change seamlessly through a continuous (infinite) range of gear ratios, compared with other automatic transmissions that provide a limited number of gear ratios in fixed steps. The flexibility of a CVT with suitable control may allow the engine to operate at a constant RPM while the vehicle moves at varying speeds.
The only downside in this mechanics is that CVTs tend to accelerate slowly, and they tend to lag when you try to push the pedal more to accelerate quickly.
But slow acceleration can be advantageous at low-speed environments, such as when driving along a busy street like in our case, in EDSA, where traffic is a "stop-and-go". A slow acceleration also means smoother operations since it doesn’t delay or jerk when shifting gears.
Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
One of the better automatics, the dual-clutch transmissions are gaining favor because they offer better fuel economy and higher performance than a regular automatic.
A DCT, sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission, or double-clutch transmission, uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets.
The design is often similar to two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing, and working as one unit.
This results in quicker, smoother shifts between gears than a manual or regular automatic because the next gear is already engaged and waiting prior to shifting.
And because shifting is quicker, DCTs are also quicker to accelerate and are suitable in high speed driving along expressways.
But being too quick on the gun has its drawbacks. DCTs are not well-suited for "stop-and-go" traffic, as they are not tailored to frequent acceleration and deceleration. Their "anticipatory nature", which is preparing for which gear it thinks will engage next, makes them unfit for congested urban traffic and may damage their mechanics in the long run.
It's up to you
Despite their physical differences, CVT and DCT are both automatic transmissions and they will unfailingly come in handy to avoid cramped up feet and wrists when you’re stuck in rush hour traffic.
There may be some who'll say that you should get a CVT and some who'll say DCT is better. They're actually both correct. But in the end, the decision is always up to you. Choose which transmission fits your lifestyle. You’ll know better which is right for you and reap the many benefits to enjoy.
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