Technology advances have led to a significant increase in the effectiveness and efficiency of the modern day manual transmission. While there was a time when using vehicles with manual transmissions was very difficult, the move to the synchronized transmission has made it much easier for drivers of all ability levels to enjoy the experience of driving manual.
Most original vehicles featured an un-synchronized transmission that provided drivers with a relatively low number of gear options. Today, just about every passenger car on the market features at least 5-speeds with many sports cars having 6-speeds.
Let’s take a look at the differences between the older un-synchronized transmissions and how the synchronized options have elevated the manual driving experience:
Un-Synchronized Transmissions
When the un-synchronized transmission was created, drivers had to carefully shift to ensure that the gears were all spinning somewhere around the same speed. This was a difficult process that required quite a bit of practice to do effectively.
When a driver was unable to shift the gears at the proper times, the vehicle would produce an obnoxious noise that was quite unpleasant. As technology increased, transmission experts began to look into the possibility of creating a manual transmission in which all of the gears would be meshing at all times.
Synchronized Transmissions
Synchronized transmissions are much more complex than their un-synchronized counterparts. They have become the most popular option among vehicle manufacturers in modern times to their ease of use. They also tend to be much more durable than other options because there is less chance of them being mis-used.
The most common design for these transmissions the blocker ring. The blocker rings are generally made of brass and work in cohesion with the other steel parts to rotate together effectively.
The Final Word
Overall, the move to synchronized transmissions was a necessary one to make it easier for more drivers to enjoy the manual experience. It is very rare today to find a vehicle that does not have a synchronized transmission in it. It is also rare to find an expert that handles both options. Experienced professionals like Trans Works, however, can provide information related to both types of transmissions and can be an invaluable resource for any type of vehicle.
Trans Works Transmission LLC has worked with the synchronized and un-synchronized manual transmission for over 30 years. Give them a call and they will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about your vehicle’s transmission. You can also find them on Facebook.
