What is a 6 speed automatic? You may have heard of this popular transmission but are unsure how it works. This article is definitely for you.
The non-stop technological improvement keeps introducing car lovers to different types of automatic transmissions.
A 6-speed system is the favorite choice of many drivers since its structure meets the requirement of operation and use purposes.
Let me tell you what’s great about this type and how to drive it right now!
What Is A 6 Speed Automatic?
The 6-speed automatic transmission consists of 6 drive gears. Unlike the manual transmission, with this type of mechanism, you don’t need to change the gears yourself.
Instead, your car will do this job for you.
According to car manufacturers, it increases your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy.
What Does A 6 Speed Automatic Mean?
Automatic 6-speed means there are a total of six forward gear ratios installed to help you shift the gears.
The changes will be made automatically based on analyzing the throttle position, speed, and load. All you need to do is just to drive.
What is a 6-speed automatic transmission? Just like other gearboxes, the mechanism will govern the changes in the engine rpm’s gear ratio and the wheels’ torque.
The first 3 gears work as driving gears, while the 5th and 6th ones are like overdrive as they are useful when your vehicle operates on a highway.
The gearbox reduces engine rpm when the car’s moving shaft turns.
Since it’s a 6-speed automatic transmission, the automobile’s ECU provides more options to balance the wheel resistance and engine torque.
Thus, drivers can steer, reverse or park more effectively.
What Are The Meanings Of The Symbols Of An Automatic 6 Speed?
- D means Drive: Use it when you move your car forward. Your transmission will be in the drive gear.
- L means Low: Low gear is applied when you need to go uphill or haul another car.
- M means Manual: This position allows you to change gears manually and control the gears’ subtraction and addition while going uphill or downhill.
- N means Neutral: When your car is in this position, the engine will be disconnected from the wheels. The function is helpful when you want to go downhill or take a break.
- P means Park: The gearbox should be in this mode when the car is parked or stopped somewhere for a long time.
- R means Reverse: It’s used to drive the vehicle backward.
- S means Sport: You may notice the RPM increases when driving in this sport mode. You also may feel that your car is more powerful.
- ‘+/-: Drivers should move up or down, depending on what the icon shows.
How Does It Work?
Six-speed automatic transmission works based on the torque sent from the crankshaft through the hydraulic torque converter and to the transmission input shaft.
The sensor from the ECU will signal the closing or opening path to the clutches. The two clutches should be in a closing position when the torque is sent to the gearbox’s output shaft.
When you drive forward, the forward clutch of the corresponding speed will close. The system must open the gear clutch when your vehicle is in neutral mode.
Since the 6-speed automatic meaning is the mechanism includes 1 reverse gear, and the other five are forward. Therefore, clutches 2 and 5 will close when you drive backward.
What Is The Advantage Of A 6 Speed Transmission?
Many car owners prefer automatic 6-speed for their cars because of many advantages.
This system allows drivers to set the vehicle in D mode and freely drive until other manipulations are required. You just need to adjust the gear level whenever parking or turning around.
The speed of the system’s gearshift is also known to be smoother and faster than the manual one.
Besides, the mechanism can improve fuel economy, decrease engine stall and wear risks and provide easy control even when the traffic is heavy.
As a result, this engine transmission type is becoming increasingly popular.
How To Drive A 6-Speed Automatic?
Normal Driving
There are steps on how you can drive your car with this mechanism.
Step 1
Press the shifter button so you can unlock and switch to the mode you want.
Step 2
Set the gearbox to D or Drive mode and start operating the car. While pressing the accelerator pedal, the system will analyze and choose the right gear from the 6 options.
Besides that, you don’t need to do anything else, as the transmission system will assist you in moving from the lowest (the first) to the highest gear (the sixth one) while accelerating.
Step 3
Choose the Reverse (R) position whenever you want to move backward. It’s the only one in reverse mode, so you may not be confused.
Step 4
Neutral mode (N) is used when you want to disconnect the engine from the wheels. However, the possibility of using this mode setting is limited.
Step 5
You need the position P or Park while parking.
To ensure you don’t put the whole weight of the vehicle on the transmission, engage the parking brake and release your foot from the brake pedal before settling the P mode.
Shift to the Park (P) position for parking. But before that, remember to apply the parking (emergency) brake and release the brake pedal.
Doing so can avoid straining your transmission with the entire car weight.
Step 6
The options of “L,” “1,” “2,” or “3” can or can not be available in your car model.
This mode is especially useful when your vehicle climbs steep hills, pulls something out of a small ditch, or feels slippery on an ice surface as the lower gear is forcibly set.
In addition, here are some notes to remember:
Starting
If your vehicle uses a key, turn it clockwise and step on the brake pedal to start. If you hear the brake pedal squeaking, pay close attention to it. It may indicate some problems to be addressed.
When the Start / Stop button is available in your model, you just need to leave the key nearby, press the brake pedal and touch the push button.
One important thing is don’t forget to lower the handbrake once it’s used to be able to start the vehicle.
In some models, there’s no necessary call for the foot brake to start. Plus, starting with the N position is possible.
However, I suggest all of you apply the following process for safety reasons: use the P setting – press the foot brake – and start.
Stop And Park
If you want to stop safely, your car should be in the D position. You should step on the pedal as fast as possible and use the parking brake if needed.
Remember, if you want to leave your car for a long period, the N mode is also acceptable, besides choosing the P mode.
Stop At The Traffic Light
When you are waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the option is flexible, either D or N. I prefer the D mode, but the choice is up to you.
I usually shift to D gear while applying the parking brake to save gas. Keeping the car in Neutral for too long can wear out the transmission over time.
FAQs
Is A 5 Speed Or 6 Speed Better?
Between the two, the extra sixth gear shows its advantage, especially when handling overdrive.
Usually, when you drive at 65 miles per hour on the highway, there’s no need for the engine to work hard to keep the pace stable as you have overdrive gears that help save fuel.
How Long Can A 6 Speed Automatic Last?
The 6-speed a t is a good and standard automatic transmission. It can work for over 100,000 miles without major problems if well-maintained.
Though you may face minor issues, it’s still a reliable and preferable engine of many drivers.
Once you find your engine has abnormal symptoms such as sound while performing, bring your vehicle to the repair shop for more diagnosis.
Does A 6-speed Automatic Have A Clutch?
Unlike the manual transmission, the automatic 6-speed transmission does not have a clutch pedal. There’s also no gear shift. So, everything will be automatic when you start to drive.
Is A 6 Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Or Manual one?
A dual-clutch is Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), meaning it’s not really automatic.
It may behave like an automatic one because it’s manufactured to combine the benefits of manual transmissions with the prominent features of the AT.
The Bottom Line
Now, I think you are clear about the question, what is a 6 speed automatic? Though this type of transmission consists of 6 different gear modes, it’s not too complicated to master the driving tips.
You just need a short practice to remember each option and its usage.
The system helps drivers have a better driving experience, as once the D mode is set, you just need to drive.
This kind of mechanism is also the favorite choice of many car owners, thanks to its smooth shifting gears and fuel efficiency.