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How it Works: Dual Clutch Transmissions

Todd DeMeza

Contributing Writer BIO

Todd DeMeza has a long time interest in and passion for cars. During high school, he decided he wanted to use his enthusiasm to become an automotive... More

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Gear Shift - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 4-door DSG TDI

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Manual transmissions seem to be disappearing from option lists across the automotive landscape. Most drive train choices only seem to offer automatic gearbox, even on extreme performance cars. The biggest reason why the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini are ditching the three-pedal configuration is due to the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

Most semi-automatic transmissions are actually automatic transmissions that allow the driver to select the gear they are in and use a torque converter. The DCT is more akin to a manual transmission except that there are two separate gear sets and the shifting is computer controlled.

The two gear sets are normally arranged between odd and even gearing. The two clutches are arranged where the odd-numbered gears use an outer clutch pack, while the inner clutch pack works the even-numbered gears. This allows both clutches to engage the input shaft.

Starting out in first, the outer clutch will be engaged, while the inner clutch will be disengaged with second gear selected. Shifting from first to second gear, the transmission will disengage the outer clutch and engage the inner clutch. The results are quicker shifting time that cannot be accomplished with a conventional manual gearbox.

The DCT combine the best of both the manual and automatic transmission. Automatic modes, can allow people with performance cars to get better gas mileage and easier stop-and-go driving. Changing into manual modes also gives the option to go bang through the gears quicker than humanly possible.