For many years, there were only two options available to motorists when it came to gearboxes; manual or automatic. However, there is now a third option, a DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox. Within this blog we are going to take a more in depth look at DSG gearboxes, how they work, the type of cars they are usually found in, and some of the benefits associated with them.
How Does a DSG Gearbox Work
The main way that a Direct Shift Gearbox differs from a standard gearbox is that it utilises two clutches, the aim of which is to provide motorists with quick and smooth gear changes. The function of the second clutch is to predict which gear you are going to choose next, and get it ready.
This means that a DSG gearbox is continually anticipating your next move. Cars with DSG gearboxes are able to electronically monitor both the way you drive, and how efficient it is. This will help you get the maximum level of performance from your vehicle. When you drive a car with a DSG gearbox one of the first things you will notice is the speed and precision of the gear changes.
What are the Benefits of a DSG Gearbox
The main benefit of a DSG gearbox is the speed of the gear changes. The reason for this is that a well calibrated DSG gearbox will have the next gear ready before the driver or engine requests it. This is what makes this type of gearbox is more responsive allowing for a much more satisfying drive than that provided by a car with manual gearboxes, in which gear changes take longer.
Another significant advantage of DSG gearboxes is that they have the ability to make gear changes almost seamless. What are the benefits of this? Well, when you find yourself sat in stop go traffic, it stops your car from experiencing jerky shifts. Also, when you are accelerating quickly, it will be smooth and continuous, potentially making the car faster.
A DSG gearbox will also help improve fuel efficiency because of the smooth gear changes, along with convenience and a sportier performance.
What Types of Cars are DSG Gearboxes Found in
These days the majority of modern sports cars feature DSG gearboxes. This is understandable because of the quality of performance and speed it can provide the motorists with. Different manufacturers will often have slightly different names and designs for the dual clutch gearboxes, but nearly all 6 or 7 speed gearboxes are DSG gearboxes.
What Could Go Wrong With a DSG Gearbox
Of course, DSG gearboxes are not infallible, the fact they are more complex than a traditional manual gearbox means they are generally more expensive. This means that if they malfunction they tend to cost more to repair. However, major issues with DSG gearboxes seem too few and far between.
The fact that the whole system is computer controlled usually means the parts are used more efficiently than those in a manual gearbox, where a poor driver is constantly changing gears. DSG gearboxes are extremely reliable, however when subjected to constant use over time they will experience wear and tear. If you notice shuddering, noise or slowness when changing gear or lack of response when accelerating in certain gears your gearbox may be in need of repair.
Hopefully the information contained in this blog post will have helped leave you better informed when it comes to DSG gearboxes. If you would like any more information on DSG gearboxes why not get in touch with the team at Automatic Transmissions today for more information!