DCT gearbox – Everything to know about it
Cars have evolved a lot over the last few years. Manufacturers have been focusing a lot on providing comfort and convenience, leading to the innovation of automatic gearboxes. There are various types of automatic gearboxes like Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT), conventional torque converters, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Dual-clutch transmission (DCT). DCT is considered to be one of the most seamless gear shifting units in the ecosystem of automatic transmissions. In today’s article, we will be looking at five things to know about a DCT gearbox.
How does a DCT gearbox function?
The DCT gearbox uses two clutches instead of one, and both are computer-controlled, so there’s no need for a clutch pedal. One clutch handles the even gear numbers, while the other handles the odd numbers. Such setup ensures power flow is never interrupted when gears are changed. The core difference between a DCT transmission and a traditional automatic transmission is that the DCT transmission doesn’t use a torque converter.
Things to avoid
The DCT gearboxes are a bit complicated and need extensive care. Never use the accelerator to keep the car from rolling back on slopes, as this will heat the transmission and wear the clutch too. Don’t launch the car improperly, as this will affect the brakes and the clutch. Avoid putting your car in neutral. Never upshift while braking or vice-versa, as this will put the load on the transmission and sensor. Engaging neutral gear while going down a slope is a big safety hazard and should never be done.
DCT gearbox advantages
One of the main advantages of the DCT gearbox is its fast acceleration. As mentioned above, the DCT gearbox eliminates the shifting lag, which makes it very quick. Moreover, with no jerks, the gearbox is seamless during a gear change. Other advantages of DCT are its drive modes and the convenience of no clutch pedal.
Maintenance
Following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is important for any car, but it is critical for the DCT gearbox. DCT gearbox needs a periodical gear oil change which is not cheap and not something you can avoid. If something does go wrong with a dual-clutch transmission, the repair or replacement cost can be ridiculously high and not all auto repair shops may be able to do the work. So it is important to take proper care of your DCT gearbox.
Affordable cars with DCT in India
Recently a lot of cars in India have started offering DCT gearboxes. Cars like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Hyundai i20, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Kushaq and Kia Seltos offer DCT gearboxes in some of their variants.
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