The gearbox is a fundamental element of the transmission system of a vehicle, the purpose of which is to transfer the power generated by the engine to the wheels and, at the same time, to allow The car moves smoothly.. Likewise, it allows you to adjust the rotation ratio between the motor and the wheels and allows you to change the speed and strength of the car according to driving needs.
Operation of the gearbox
Next, we will explain in detail how a gearbox works. With respect to its gear ratio, a vehicle engine produces energy at a given number of revolutions per minute, the famous speed, but the speed at which the wheels turn must be different depending on the context of the situation.
Likewise, the gearbox allows you to select different speeds which They adjust the relationship between the engine and the wheels. In low gears, such as first or second, the engine turns quickly, but the wheels turn more slowly, a situation particularly useful when starting or going up a hill. In higher gears, such as fourth, fifth and sixth, the engine spins slower, but the wheels spin faster, making it more effective at maintaining a constant speed on the road.
On the other hand, in vehicles with manual transmission, the driver must manually select the appropriate gear using the clutch pedal and the gear lever. The clutch, if equipped, temporarily disconnects the engine from the gearbox and allows gears to be shifted without shock or damage to the system.
Instead, in automatic transmission vehiclesthe system automatically selects the gear based on speed and engine load, without the driver having to intervene. Automatic cars are generally easier to drive because they do not require the user to change gears manually.
Types of gearbox in a car
- Manual: the driver, as we explained above, must change gears using the gear lever and the clutch pedal.
- Automatic: The system changes gear automatically without driver intervention.
- Semi-automatic: combination of the two systems, in which the driver can choose to change gear manually without using a clutch pedal, although it may have an automatic gear change system.
- Continuously variable (CVT): This is a special type of automatic transmission that does not use fixed gears, but rather continually adjusts the gear ratio to keep the engine in its optimal efficiency range.
How to tell if the gearbox is broken: most common mistakes
- Detect a gearbox failure can be crucial to preventing further damage to the vehicle and ensuring safe and optimal driving. Symptoms of a bad transmission vary depending on the type of transmission, but there are some very common signs that something is not working properly.
- Metallic or strange noises at the time of startup
- Landslides– If the gear changes position while driving, it is a clear sign that something is wrong with the transmission.
- Difficulty changing gears: If you have to apply extra force to the manual transmission, it could mean something is not working, as well as some imbalances in the automatic gearbox.
- Vibrations or jerks anomalies in the vehicle
- Transmission Fluid Leaks
- Warning lights on the car dashboard
- The vehicle does not respond correctly
How much does it cost to change a car gearbox?
The price of changing a car’s transmission can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the type of transmission, vehicle model, brand, geographic location and If you opt for one new or used transmission. Below we will detail the approximate ranges for each transmission type and the alternatives available.
As for the manual transmissionthe total estimated cost can be around 1200 and 4000 eurostaking into account the new or rebuilt transmission and the mechanic’s labor, which could vary between 300 and 1200 euros.
The automatic gearbox, on the other hand, is more expensive than the manual gearbox due to its complexity and modernity. Under normal conditions, the total price may vary between 2500 and 6500 euroswith labor estimated between 200 and 800 euros.
Finally, the price of replacing the CVT, continuously variable gearbox, wins the prize. Its estimated price is approximately 3,000 and 7,500 euros due to its difficulty in replacing it, hence the high price of the mechanics, which oscillates between 800 and 2000 euros, a significant figure which indicates that, in the worst case, it may be cheaper to buy a vehicle nine.
