Why is a 10 speed auto so appealing?

[Petroleum Jesus]

Problem I have with all those speeds is when it's in sport mode. Let's say you're cruising in 10th gear. The you need to down shift say 5th gear, you'll be busy flipping 10-5, which will take a few seconds. If it's in full auto then the computer will jump.

A properly programmed semi-auto only holds a gear from shifting up, never down. If you're driving in 10th and you push the pedal 50% to the floor, the computer automatically selects the gear that places the engine in the ideal rev range to produce 50% (+/-10% in Sport/Eco mode) of peak power at the current speed. You still need to shift up manually, but by holding the paddle, the transmission should shift into the highest attainable gear (without stalling).

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[18psi]

/\ That's how I would assume they work too

 

[mustang_guy]

Gearing is a torque multiplier. The ideal gearbox keeps the car at optimum output, in each gear, every time. It becomes that much more difficult to achieve this when the manuf has to meet emissions standards as well as gas mileage/efficiency standards.

A well executed 8 speed will be better than a 6 because it can do all of the above more efficiently. Just like the 6 was better than 5, 4, 3, etc.

Just like fuel injection was frowned upon by the carb guys "because there are fast carb cars, therefore........."

There is a reason th400s and powerglides still et better than any 6spd or the new 10spd ever will. Not to mention itll handle far more power and can be rebuilt far cheaper than a 6r80 or this new 10spd However its only for the hardcore. I personally couldnt care less about a 10spd. But not everyone wants to drag race so i can see how to some there is appeal

 

[Petroleum Jesus]

/\ That's how I would assume they work too

Unfortunately, most don't. You have to have them tuned that way aftermarket.

 

[TexasRebel]

because 10 speeds is closer to a CVT than 8 or 6.

More gears is more weight and friction.
A transmission with fewer gears can be much stronger for the same weight.

 

[Zerobar78]

I've driven trucks with everything from 6 to 18 speeds. 90% of semi trucks on the road today make due with with 10 speed transmissions(Though in my experience a 13-speed is ideal with the right gearing). There is no need for 10 gears in a car, most every car has a decent enough power band to do what it needs to with 6 to maybe 8 speeds.

As some have stated a vehicle will constantly be hunting for gears in changing conditions, i.e. traffic, terrain, weather etc.... Yes a CVT is ideal but nobody wants to drive one for the most part.

 

[18psi]

So then why is the industry heading towards more gears? lol
If it was all bad, why would car makers be hopping onto the band wagon?

 

[dsp4848]

Lim (# gears -> infinity) = CVT

More gears means better gas mileage for EPA ratings and it's better for marketing. 10 is more than 6 or 8, so the average consumer sees an "improvement".

 

[VinnAY]

Gearing is a torque multiplier. The ideal gearbox keeps the car at optimum output, in each gear, every time. It becomes that much more difficult to achieve this when the manuf has to meet emissions standards as well as gas mileage/efficiency standards.

A well executed 8 speed will be better than a 6 because it can do all of the above more efficiently. Just like the 6 was better than 5, 4, 3, etc.

Just like fuel injection was frowned upon by the carb guys "because there are fast carb cars, therefore........."

Don't try and tell that to manual guys that throw in 6th @ 55mph pulling 2K RPM and listen to them bitch about drone from their catback...concept of RPM and gear is totally lost on them.

 

[robwlf]

lol sooo true .. im a manual guy atm .. and i always say any exhaust will drone if your in the wrong gear trying to get on it .. im only in 6th at 80 mph or above . i didnt buy a rpm loving motored car to lug through gears at low rpms lol

 

[CCCP1999]

I am happy with 6 speeds.

 

[VTECSAUCE]

All of my cars have been manual and I will continue to own manual until I am no longer physically able to drive them. Autotragic can piss up a rope.

 

[BmacIL]

Don't try and tell that to manual guys that throw in 6th @ 55mph pulling 2K RPM and listen to them bitch about drone from their catback...concept of RPM and gear is totally lost on them.

The great and well-designed catbacks don't drone. I can't make the Corsa drone even when I try. Stop peddling false information that you can't be in 6th gear below 2000 rpm.

 

[jasonstang]

It's the perception of speed. When you rpm goes up very fast banging through gear it feels faster. With a 10 speed you would be in 3rd gear before hitting 60.
Also having closer ratio gears means you will be in the peak power band more and more power to the wheels the faster they go.

 

[PJR202]

Thanks for all the replies.

Does the current auto GT have paddle shifters as well?

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