1. Differential
   Belt
2. Clutch
   Driveshaft

The clutch connects the transmission to the engine. The input shaft of the transmission therefore turns at the same rpm as the engine.

1. Layshaft
   Belt
2. Collar
   Transaxle

The collar can slide left or right along the shaft to engage one of the gears.

1. With magnets
   With dog teeth
2. With hydraulics
   With friction

Dog teeth on the collar fit into holes on the sides of the gears to engage them.

1. Elite motor oil
   Synchronizers
2. Equalizers
   Motivators

A synchronizer's purpose is to allow the collar and the gear to make frictional contact before the dog teeth make contact. This lets the collar and the gear synchronize their speeds before the teeth need to engage.

1. Clutch pedal and gears
   Clutch pedal and gear shift
2. Clutch pedal and steering wheel
   Clutch pedal and flywheel

An automatic transmission lacks a clutch pedal and gear shift. Once you put the transmission into drive, the car does everything else for you (thus, "automatic").

1. A series of four gears
   Planetary gearset
2. Planetary hydraulics
   Output gearing

As opposed to a manual transmission that has many different sets of gears, an automatic transmission's planetary gearset — also known as epicyclic gearing — enables the same set of gears to produce all the different ratios.

1. Second gear
   Third gear
2. Fourth gear
   Overdrive

Most automatic transmissions have a 1:1 ratio in third gear. It means that the drive shaft (engine) is spinning three times for every one tire rotation.

1. The sump
   The governor
2. The static pump
   The gear pump

Located in the cover of the transmission, the gear pump feeds the transmission cooler and the torque converter. It also draws fluid from a sump in the bottom of the transmission through displacement and feeds it to the hydraulic system.

1. The governor
   The gear pump
2. The sump
   The ECM

The governor is a valve that is connected to the output, so the faster the car moves, the faster the governor spins, which opens it and raises the pressure of the fluid flowing through it.

1. Throttle valve
   Vacuum modulator
2. Manual valve
   Clutch

The manual valve is what the shift lever hooks up to. Depending on which gear is selected, the manual valve feeds hydraulic circuits that inhibit certain gears.

1. Cyclical Velocity Terminator
   Compact Vehicle Transmission
2. Connecting Vortex Turbine
   Continuously Variable Transmission

A continuously variable transmission is a type of transmission with nearly infinite gear ratios. This type of device is also called a shiftless transmission, a stepless transmission or a pulley transmission.

1. Transmission for race cars
   Manual transmission
2. Automatic transmission
   Experimental transmission

The continuously variable transmission is based on the automatic transmission. This type of transmission generally creates fewer emissions and gives a smooth ride.

1. It keeps track of how fast the car has gone.
   It's a gauge in the dashboard that shows what gear the car is in.
2. It's a gauge in the dashboard that shows the engine’s RPMs.
   It's a gauge that shows the temperature and level of transmission fluid.

The tachometer is a gauge on the dashboard that tells the driver how fast the engine is moving, measured in RPMs, which measure how many times the engine's crankshaft is rotating each minute.

1. The maximum RPM value above which the engine cannot go without exploding
   The light that tells passengers to put on their seat belts
2. A type of oil that makes the transmission faster
   The fire barrier between the engine and the passenger compartment

The redline, which is usually illustrated on the tachometer by, well, a red line, tells the driver when the engine is moving so fast it is at risk of damage.

1. The redline is a measurement of the temperature of the transmission.
   The redline tells the driver what gear the car is in.
2. The redline tells the driver when to change the transmission fluid.
   The redline on the tachometer helps the driver know when to shift.

If the tachometer’s needle approaches the redline, the driver should change to the next gear to reduce the engine’s speed. Higher gears result in lower RPM (until the engine is near its maximum output).

1. Manual
   CVT
2. Automatic
   Hydraulic

Though manual transmissions were traditionally the most efficient, the latest CVTs are helping auto manufacturers boost their fuel economy numbers by allowing a limitless number of gear ratios so the transmission can always be a peak efficiency.

1. It reminds the driver to "hold" in the clutch while in neutral.
   It shows the shift pattern.
2. It tells the driver where to put his or her "hand."
   It's a classic mechanic's symbol for "transmission."

The “H” (or a similar shape) is a diagram that shows the driver where to move the lever for each gear.

1. It's operated by electricity.
   it’s the cheapest.
2. It’s powered by hybrid batteries.
   It offers better fuel economy.

The CVT is designed to help the engine run as efficiently as possible, which maximizes fuel economy better than a manual or a regular automatic. This allows the vehicle to get the maximum output out of the battery.

1. It goes backwards.
   The clutch pedal falls off.
2. Nothing except a lot of noise
   The transmission will be badly damaged.

Since the reverse gear moves in a different direction than the other gears, the dog teeth won’t engage, and the car can’t go into reverse. It would be like shifting the car into neutral

1. Worn-out tires
   Tire damage
2. Transmission damage
   Nothing. It's fine to do it.

Towing a vehicle by its drive wheels will damage the transmission, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle has nothing BUT drive wheels. If a four-wheel-drive car or truck is towed with wheels on the ground, even in neutral, it will damage the transmission. Towing can be done on a flatbed truck or trailer.

1. All cars
   Hybrid cars
2. Tow vehicles
   Four-wheel-drive vehicles

In most vehicles, the transmission fluid is enough to keep the transmission from overheating. The transmissions in tow vehicles work extra hard, however, and a transmission cooler helps it perform at its best.

1. Yes, it needs a lot of special tools.
   It really depends on the vehicle.
2. No, you should buy a car that already has one.
   No, it’s easy to do at home if you have a bit of mechanical know-how.

Transmission coolers usually come in kits with everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to perform the installation, and there's plenty of information online to walk you through the process.

1. It won’t. They’re leak-proof.
   The car won’t start.
2. There will be a puddle on the ground.
   The "check engine" light on the dash will light up.

A leak from the transmission will leave a slick puddle underneath the front middle section of the car. Don't put off repairs for this vital part of your vehicle!

1. Blue
   Red or brown
2. Red or purple
   Bright green

Fresh transmission fluid is red, but older fluid often has a brown tinge.

1. More than 500 years ago
   Right before 1997, when the first Toyota Prius came out in Japan
2. Right before 1996, when the General Motors EV1 came out
   Around 2010, when the Tesla Model S was being developed.

The CVT was first conceptualized more than 500 years ago by none other than Leonardo da Vinci, but it took a long time for engineers to actually make it cost-effective and efficient.

1. Never
   At every oil change
2. Every couple of years
   Every 100,000 miles

Transmission fluid should be kept fresh for best performance, which means changing it every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the vehicle is used for towing, the fluid may need to be changed more often.

1. No, they have a pulley system.
   No, the gears are on a grid instead of in a box.
2. Yes, they use standard gearboxes.
   Yes, but they require the "double clutch" gearboxes.

Even though the term “gearbox” is sometimes used interchangeably with “transmission,” continuously variable transmissions actually use a pulley system instead.

1. It’s caused by a bad tachometer.
   It’s caused by a bad clutch.
2. It’s caused by heavy engine load.
   It's caused by low temperatures.

When a car is accelerating hard or under heavy throttle, the automatic transmission can have a hard time keeping up and can feel slow or sluggish.

1. No
   Yes
2. Yes, but only with an aftermarket performance kit
   Only on high-performance hybrid vehicles

Even though the driver doesn’t need an extra pedal to operate the clutch, it’s still an important part of an automatic transmission car.

1. Lots of performance cars still have them
   They are faster.
2. They don't wear out as fast.
   A human driver is always more efficient than an automatic transmission system.

Manual transmissions tend to be preferred by people who drive sports cars, so a higher percentage of sports cars offer manuals, which in turn makes some people believe they’re better.

1. Hydraulic shifters
   Electric powertrain transmission
2. Hybrid transmission
   Dual-clutch transmission

A Dual-clutch transmission uses two separate clutches for even and odd gears. Basically, it's two separate manual transmissions working together. It can be used in an automatic mode, or have drivers manually shift in a semi-automatic mode.

1. True. The U.S. leads the world in manual transmissions.
   True, but the gap is closing rapidly.
2. False. Europe just passed the U.S. for this type of vehicle.
   False. Europe has a far higher percentage of manual transmission vehicles.

Although automatic transmissions are gaining ground in every market, Europe and Japan have far more vehicles with manual transmissions than the U.S. In 2016, more than 80% of vehicles were manuals in Europe and Japan; in the U.S., the number is closer to 4%.

1. The vehicle is noisy in neutral.
   There's a grinding sound.
2. The vehicle is emitting a burning odor.
   All the above

Don't ignore the signs of a transmission in distress! The difference between a repair and a replacement can hit you hard in the wallet, so be aware of any warning signs.

1. Make a high, whining sound
   Start to feel spongey or loose
2. Start leaking fluid
   Give no symptoms — it will just stop working

The clutch will give you plenty of signs that it's starting to show its age. It can feel spongey, it might pulsate or it could even remain stuck to the floor. Basically, when it starts acting differently, it's time to take it into the shop. It might just need adjusting or it could be time for a replacement.

1. Better fuel economy
   They are easier to maintain
2. They are a theft deterrent.
   All the above

Besides being easier to maintain and getting better gas mileage (although automatic transmission technology is narrowing this gap), they are also a deterrent to theft because not all thieves can drive a stick. Also, they can be more fun to drive!