You want a fast car, who wouldn’t? But it’s got a DCT transmission, what’s that? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you all you need to know on how a dual clutch transmission works.
A manual gearbox has one clutch, an automatic transmission has a torque converter, but now there’s an automatic transmission with two clutches. Is it an automated manual? Nope, well, kind of but not really.
Clearly it makes a lot of sense. But what you need to get excited about is, high performance, lightning fast gear shifts, fuel efficiency, and no clutch pedal.
How does a Dual Clutch Transmission work?
Car manufacturers, in the pursuit of fuel economy, often make decisions that reduce driving experience. Dual clutch transmissions, or DCT’s, are all about driving experience.
A standard transmission disengages the clutch, selects the next gear, engages the clutch and you’re set. In a manual, you do the selecting and the clutching.
A dual clutch automates the shift, like an automatic transmission, but has ‘primed’ the next gear. You have two input shafts with a raft of gears on each. Even numbered gears 2,4,6 on one, odd numbered gears on the other 1,3,5.
You have two clutches, so the gear above and below the one you’re in are ready to go.
That’s what gives you those lightning fast shifts. If I’m honest, I prefer driving a DCT over a manual. You aren’t as ‘attached to the machine’ but if you like spirited driving and also not blowing out your left knee in traffic – DCT’s are perfect.
Why go for a Dual Clutch over a normal automatic?
It’s like you aren’t even listening to me. They are the performance based version of an automatic. They blend the engagement of a manual, with the practicality of an automatic.
Ok maybe you had a point. Standard automatics often get better fuel economy, are more comfortable and sometimes more practical.
Dual clutch transmissions are also really, really, really expensive to repair, compared to standard transmissions.
There’s something wrong with my DCT
Don’t panic, they might be expensive to fix, but we can make it way cheaper. By using one of our partner garages you can save time, money and hassle. We’ll pair you with an expert mechanic, who can easily solve your headache.
You don’t really need a DCT, you also don’t really need a fast car, but you should really want one.