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What is a Dual Clutch Transmission?

Jessica Reed
Jessica Reed

The dual clutch transmission (DCT), also referred to as a double- or twin-clutch transmission, combines the best of both manual and automatic transmissions into a hybrid that requires no input from the driver to shift gears, provides smooth and fast shifting, and operates more efficiently than either a manual or an automatic transmission. Its unique configuration is known as a semi-automatic transmission. It uses two separate clutches, one which engages even numbered gears in the transmission while the other engages the odd numbered gears. While one gear, third gear for example, is engaged, the clutch has the next gear, possibly fourth gear if the driver is speeding up, ready to go so it can instantly switch from third to fourth without losing any of the engine's power and without requiring the driver to press down the clutch pedal as he would need to in a manual transmission car.

Since the car's driver isn't required to press a clutch pedal to shift gears, it would seem the dual clutch transmission is automatic. Yet it is actually semi-automatic. Electro-hydraulic fluid is used to engage and disengage the clutches. This fluid forces the clutch disk against the flywheel of the engine and the power spins the car's wheels. When the car slows, sensors send less fluid to the clutch and it disengages because the fluid's force is not strong enough to hold it against the flywheel.

A woman shifting gears with a dual clutch transmission.
A woman shifting gears with a dual clutch transmission.

Two clutches make the dual clutch transmission possible. While one gear is engaged, the clutch prepares to switch to the gear on the opposite clutch. Since one clutch holds the odd numbered gears and the other the even numbers, the clutches constantly switch back and forth and the transition from one to another happens so quickly the driver never feels the car change gears.

Cutaway view of a transmission.
Cutaway view of a transmission.

Advantages of the dual clutch transmission include more efficient performance and faster shifting speeds. Since the next gear is already ready to switch into, the change occurs almost instantly and the shift is smooth. No engine power is lost, as it is in automatic transmissions using torque converters to engage and disengage the engine. The torque converter is similar in principle to the electro-hydraulic fluid, but loses some of the power from the engine when engaging and disengaging.

Car clutch mechanism.
Car clutch mechanism.

Disadvantages of the dual clutch transmission include its high cost and the complexity of its parts. Cars utilizing this type of transmission cost more and repairs take more effort due to the extra parts and how they are aligned with one another. With more parts, there are more problems that can arise.

Discussion Comments

Logicfest

@Terrificli -- I know a double clutch transmission can help a car accelerate faster and all that, but I still love the good old manual clutch transmission. There is nothing quite like shoving that clutch to the floor and grabbing the next gear. That setup may be inefficient compared to a double clutch transmission, but you really do feel closer to your car. There's something more "pure sport" about it, you know?

Terrificli

You will find these in higher end sports cars almost exclusively. The people who purchase those types of cars will want the kind of performance boost a double clutch transmission gets and they won't mind paying for it.

You'll rarely find people purchasing other types of vehicles bothering with these. They are expensive and problematic and won't do much for you if you are primarily interested in luxury, off road capability or just about anything else.

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    • A woman shifting gears with a dual clutch transmission.
      A woman shifting gears with a dual clutch transmission.
    • Cutaway view of a transmission.
      Cutaway view of a transmission.
    • Car clutch mechanism.
      Car clutch mechanism.
    • A transmission without the housing.
      A transmission without the housing.
    • A dual clutch transmission can be more difficult to work on than a manual transmission.
      By: ashadrov
      A dual clutch transmission can be more difficult to work on than a manual transmission.