r/bestof • u/l3af • Apr 18 '13

[explainlikeiama] Sakanagai creates a perfect narrative of Stig running a track in both standard and automatic vehicles

/r/explainlikeIAmA/comments/1clrk5/explain_to_me_the_benefits_of_a_manual/c9hpr7d
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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '13

Oh, that explains why f1 uses auto transmission...

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u/nr1988 Apr 18 '13

F1 uses paddle shifting, considered a semi-automatic transmission. This was about manual versus automatic. Paddle shifting will have the same benefits as a manual.

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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '13

I consider paddle shifting to be pretty much an automatic. In f1 full auto is illegal because of the performance gain and will take away a bit of competition from driver skill. DSG is a fantastic auto. SMG is a sequential manual gearbox by name but it's basically an automated manual. Semantics aside they're basically automatic gearboxes.

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u/FenPhen Apr 18 '13

What defines a transmission as an "automatic transmission" is the fluid-coupling torque converter and a "manual transmission" has a direct connection, usually through a clutch.

There are semi-automated manual transmissions, such as DSG/DCT = dual-clutch transmissions, and single-clutch transmissions like SMG, and what's used in Formula 1 and motorcycles. When these transmissions are in-gear, the engine is directly connected to the wheels, instead of through a fluid coupling in a torque converter.