Glossary of Transmission Service Terms
Below are some key terms that may be helpful for understanding issues relating to automatic transmissions, manual transmissions and gearboxes:
adaptive learning automatic transmission
A newer type of automatic transmission that can improve its own efficiency in response to the events of actual driving and make up for transmission wear.
aftermarket transmission parts
Transmission parts that aren’t sold by the car’s original manufacturer. These parts will typically cost less than those bought from the manufacturer.
air check
A test during automatic transmission assembly that checks the hydraulic soundness of automatic transmission parts, including valves and clutch packs.
A/T
An abbreviation for automatic transmission.
Also known as: automatic transmission, automatic car transmission
automatic drive
A type of car transmission where the car automatically drives itself in the correct gear without needing manual clutch pedal use and gear shifting.
Also known as: automatic transmission, automatic car transmission
automatic gearbox
This can refer to the housing where the gears of an automatic transmission are contained, or it can refer to an automatic transmission itself.
Also known as: automatic transmission, automatic car transmission, gearbox
automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
A mineral- or oil-based liquid that’s used to reduce wear on moving transmission parts. Automatic transmission fluid also works to transfer power in the automatic transmission and cool moving parts.
Also known as: transmission fluid, automatic car transmission fluid
Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA)
A large organization of transmission repair providers.
auto transmission shop
An automotive shop that specializes in auto transmission service, repair and replacement.
Also known as: auto transmission garage, auto transmission facility, auto transmission repair service, auto transmission service, transmission replacement shop
auto transmission system
The transmission or gearbox that transfers power from the engine’s drive shaft to the car wheels for forward and reverse motion. The two types of auto transmissions are automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Also known as: car transmission
clutch
A device in a car transmission that connects or disconnects two parts within the driving machinery. In a manual transmission, the clutch is operated by a pedal that disengages the driving force of the engine from the gears driving the wheels to create forward or reverse motion.
Also known as: clutch pedal, automatic clutch
drive line
The system in a car for transferring power between the vehicle’s motor and the wheels. The drive line largely includes the car transmission.
Also known as: drive system, transmission
electronically controlled transmission (ECT)
A car transmission that’s controlled by a computer.
Also known as: computerized transmission, computerized car transmission
fluid drive
A fluid coupling for transferring power within the car transmission.
gear
A toothed part in a car transmission made for transferring rotational motion from the engine out to the wheels.
Also known as: gear mechanism, transmission gear mechanism
gear case
The metal housing in which the gears in the car transmission gear train are enclosed and sealed.
Also known as: gearbox
hydraulic transmission
A transmission operated by liquid forced through a small opening.
Also known as: hydraulic transmission system, transmission
manual transmission
A hand-operated transmission for selecting the correct gear ratio for the existing engine and vehicle speed.
Also known as: stick shift, standard transmission, manual car transmission
OEM transmission
A transmission made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). A transmission bought from the vehicle’s manufacturer will tend to be more expensive than one obtained elsewhere.
Also known as: original equipment manufacturer transmission, stock transmission
standard transmission
Also known as a manual transmission, this requires the car driver to shift between gears in the transmission by using a clutch pedal and a gear shift.
Also known as: stick shift, manual transmission, manual car transmission, manual gearbox
stick shift
Derives from the term for the gear shift lever that the driver manually operates. The stick shift is located on the steering column or on the floor between the driver and passenger seats.
Also known as: standard transmission, standard car transmission, manual transmission, manual car transmission
torque converter
A round transmission part that moves engine power to the car’s wheels by changing fluid direction. The torque converter of today’s car transmissions follows the earlier transmission fluid coupling.
Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.
Local, Top Rated Diamond Certified Companies Related to Your Topic
Marin County Transmission Shops
Contra Costa County Transmission Shops
San Francisco Transmission Shops
San Mateo County Transmission Shops
Sonoma County Transmission Shops
Related Articles
The Essential Guide to Auto Transmissions
Get Expert Advice From Owners of Top Rated Local Companies
Become a Diamond Certified Preferred Member (Always Free)
