Transmission Guide: Automatic vs. Manual | Greenville SC

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Audi Greenville's Transmission Guide in Greenville, SC

There are plenty of vehicle options in today's automotive market. You can choose from a variety of body styles, makes and models — now, add to that the transmission type. The transmission has a big job to do: It sends power from the engine to the wheels through gearboxes for a smooth, uninterrupted stream of power. There are three common transmission types — automatic, manual and Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT. While you won't find any modern Audi models equipped with a manual transmission or CVT, there are plenty of pre-owned vehicles in our inventory to choose from. You may even require service for your current vehicle equipped with manual or CVT, so it should put you at ease that our technicians at Audi Greenville can complete service on any vehicle that has an appointment. Ready to discover the differences between each transmission type? Read below.

Transmission Types at a Glance

Manual Transmission

You may find older Audi models that have a manual transmission, but there are no current vehicles in the Audi lineup that use this transmission type. But if you do have the chance to drive a car equipped with a manual, the payoff is great. Manuals take a good bit of practice to learn since you have to operate a third pedal called the clutch. Driving stick shift can make long-distance travels or hilly areas a challenge, but did you know that cars equipped with manual transmissions are more fuel efficient than cars equipped with automatic transmissions? It's true. Surprisingly, only 13 percent of cars purchased in the U.S. are manual, according to HouseGrail,* but there are plenty of sport sedans, sports cars and heavy-duty trucks in our pre-owned inventory that use the transmission type.

Automatic Transmission

Many drivers today are only familiar with the automatic transmission, and it has taken over the market largely due to its effortless convenience. The mechanism selects the right gear for you automatically — according to your vehicle's speed and the road conditions — so you don't have to move your hands from the wheel or think about when to press a third pedal. Any terrain or travel conditions won't be any more stressful than usual when navigating with care, so if you enjoy a smooth, uncomplicated driving experience, the automatic transmission could be your best bet. However, State Farm found a few cons that you'll want to consider. Cars equipped with automatic transmissions aren't as fuel efficient, are priced higher, are more expensive to maintain and have higher insurance rates as well.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Audi has yet to introduce CVT to their vehicles, but we're expecting the newest transmission type to make an appearance soon. Popular for its fuel efficiency and smooth shifting, CVT is becoming the transmission type of choice for many manufacturers. It enhances acceleration and responsiveness, thanks to its belt-and-pulley system that continually adjusts to provide a seamless driving experience. CVT doesn't use traditional gears — the belt is the "single speed" that varies for all driving conditions, so that's why you won't typically see the number of gears listed. The one con that some drivers can't get past? The low, continuous engine drone. You may not mind the noise, so there's only one way to find out: take a test drive at Audi Greenville.

We can't wait to help here at Audi Greenville. Whether you're interested in test-driving a vehicle or need transmission service for your current model, contact us today or stop by our dealership at 200 Duvall Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. We look forward to serving our customers near Spartanburg, Anderson and throughout the Upstate.

*As of January 2023.