The feel of shifting gears in an automatic transmission can vary depending on the design of the transmission and the vehicle.
Invisible switching:
*Modern electronically controlled automatic transmissions often provide virtually imperceptible gear changes.
* When accelerating smoothly or upshifting, you may feel slight jolts or fluctuations in speed.
More noticeable shifting:
*Some automatic transmissions with traditional torque converters provide more noticeable shifts, especially when downshifting.
*You may feel more jerky or delayed shifting, especially during hard acceleration.
Switching modes:
*Some vehicles have a sport transmission mode. This mode shifts at higher rpm, resulting in faster acceleration and more noticeable shifts.
*Some transmissions also have a manual mode, which allows the driver to change gears manually using steering wheel paddles or the gear lever.
Comparison with manual transmission:
* Unlike a manual transmission, where the driver controls the shifts, in an automatic transmission, shifts occur automatically using a computer.
* This eliminates the need to use the clutch and gas pedal to control shifts, making driving easier.
Other factors:
* Shift feel may also be affected by the condition of the transmission fluid, component wear and overall vehicle condition.