Dual-clutch gearbox and AT gearbox have always been two controversial transmission systems in the automobile industry. Some car owners think that the dual clutch gearbox has higher performance and better driving experience than the AT gearbox, while others think that the AT gearbox is more reliable and comfortable. So, which gearbox is more suitable for vehicle driving? This paper will compare the dual clutch gearbox and AT gearbox from many aspects to help you make a wise choice.

I. Transmission principle and structure

Although both DCT and AT gearboxes are automatic gearboxes, their transmission principles and structures are quite different. Based on the structure of manual gearbox, dual clutch gearbox adopts two sets of clutches to control odd and even gears respectively, thus realizing automatic gear shifting. AT gearbox uses hydraulic torque converter and planetary gear set to realize speed change and power transmission.

Second, the shift speed and ride comfort

Because of its special transmission structure and mechanical characteristics, dual clutch gearbox has great advantages in shifting speed and smoothness. Its shift speed is fast, and it can hardly feel a sense of frustration, especially when accelerating overtaking. In contrast, although the AT gearbox can also achieve a faster shift speed, it still has a certain sense of frustration when driving at a low speed or in congested road conditions.

Third, fuel economy

Because of its high transmission efficiency and smooth shifting process, the dual-clutch gearbox makes the vehicle more fuel-efficient during driving. In the actual test, the fuel consumption of vehicles equipped with dual-clutch gearbox is generally 1-2L lower than that of vehicles equipped with AT gearbox. This is a big advantage for car owners who pay attention to fuel economy.

Fourth, reliability and maintenance costs

Because of its complex structure and precise control logic, AT gearbox is slightly less reliable than dual clutch gearbox. Under normal use, the failure rate of the dual-clutch gearbox is lower and the maintenance cost is lower. However, in the actual use process, because the hydraulic torque converter of AT gearbox has a certain buffering and protection function, the durability and reliability of AT gearbox may be slightly better under some extreme driving conditions, such as track driving.

V. Noise and vibration

In terms of noise and vibrATion, at gearbox is smoother and less noisy when driving at low speed because of the hydraulic torque converter. However, when the dual-clutch gearbox is driving at low speed, due to the high frequency of engagement and disengagement of two sets of clutches, it will produce certain noise and vibration. However, when driving at high speed, the noise and vibration of the dual-clutch gearbox will be significantly reduced.

To sum up, the dual-clutch gearbox and AT gearbox have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the specific choice of gearbox needs to be decided according to the purpose of the vehicle, driving habits and personal preferences. In general daily driving, the advantages of dual-clutch gearbox are fast shifting speed, good ride comfort, fuel saving and low maintenance cost. In extreme driving conditions, such as track driving or off-road driving, the reliability and adaptability of AT gearbox are more obvious.

For car owners who pursue driving experience, dual-clutch gearbox is undoubtedly a better choice; For car owners who pay attention to comfort and reliability, AT gearbox may be more suitable for your needs. In a word, no matter which gearbox you choose, as long as you can give full play to its advantages and use it correctly, they can bring you excellent driving experience.