Manual vs Automatic Transmission near Falls Church, VA
Have you ever wondered what types of transmissions you can use during your travels around Falls Church, VA? At Pohanka Acura, our Service Department has created this article to give you the details about the capabilities that the drivetrain in your Acura MDX, ADX, TLX, or other model, may feature.
Manual Transmission
Sometimes called standard transmissions, manual systems are often popular among certain groups of drivers due to their capabilities. They give you greater control over the performance of an Acura model equipped with it. While it is necessary to intentionally shift to a near gear setting each time you reach a different speed, such as when you accelerate on Highway 29, some would say that this is a feature. Manual transmissions function by allowing a driver to depress a clutch pedal and then choose which gear setting they wish to access using the stick shift. Such a process must be repeated whenever the driver must change gears.
Automatic Transmission
If you decide to ask a technician about automatic transmissions before you stop by Big Chimneys Park, our service team members can tell you that they differ from manual systems in several key ways. For starters, automatic transmissions tend to be easier to use than their counterpart. Plus, they also change gears automatically, which can avoid certain hazards that an operator who is inexperienced with driving a manual Acura model might face. Automatic transmissions function by using a computer to select which gear to shift into based on information fed into it by sensors throughout the vehicle. At higher speeds, engine drag may be reduced, thus potentially improving efficiency. However, they can be more costly when it comes time to repair or maintain them when compared to a manual transmission.
Continuously Variable Transmission
Another type of transmission is the Continuously Variable Transmission featured in newer models. This system functions by using a belt and pulley system to change gears. Such a transmission is capable of changing the size of the pulleys in order to achieve a nearly unlimited number of gear ratios, which allows it to switch into different settings while the engine is still running at constant speed. Through its design, a Continuously Variable Transmission is capable of achieving a higher level of performance and better fuel economy when compared to most automatic transmissions. Regardless of what system the drivetrain in your Acura model uses, it’s a good idea to schedule a service appointment with us as often as necessary to stay up to date on regular maintenance.
What Are the Three Main Types of Transmissions?
- Manual Transmission
- Automatic Transmission
- Continuously Variable Transmission
Dealership Information
Testimonials
My experience at Pohanka Acura was awesome.
Yong Kim was great with assisting me in purchasing my
“ Yong Kim was great with assisting me in purchasing my Acura Integra A-Spec. I will recommend talking with Yong Kim on the purchase of your next Acura! ”
My experience at the Pohanka Acura dealership is
“ My experience at the Pohanka Acura dealership is summarized in 6 words. Award winning Salesman and award winning dealership. Mr Yong Kim made our purchasing experience stress free, it shows in his knowledge and his 14 years of experience selling Acuras. Which by the way he was recognized for during our purchase. He accepted his Award, didn’t miss a beat and took care of us. If you are planning to purchase a Acura go and see Mr. Kim at the Pohanka Acura dealership. ”
Had a good experience working with Yong Kim.
“ Had a good experience working with Yong Kim. Very professional, patient and he communicated well with me as so my experience in the dealership was as pleasant and welcoming. ”
Yong Kim was my sales rep and he provided me with a great
“ Yong Kim was my sales rep and he provided me with a great service. Provided me with great knowledge of the vehicle I wanted and the options that I had with thorough explanation. Have bought other cars in the past, but this was by far the smoothest process I have had thanks to him and the team. ”
I’ve bought cars from various places over the years, but
“ I’ve bought cars from various places over the years, but this is the first time I’ve experienced service as fast and efficient-especially the quick handling of the paperwork to finalize everything. Thank you so much for such excellent service. Thank you, Yong W. Kim, for ensuring I was completely satisfied with everything. ”
Yong Kim was exceptional!
“ Yong Kim was exceptional! True professional, awesome to work with and very knowledgeable. He was down to earth and made suggestions that I hadn’t thought of, he truly had my best interests at mind. White glove treatment the entire experience. Thank again Yong! ”
Young Kim was great to work with and we got a great deal.
“ Young Kim was great to work with and we got a great deal. The whole process was fast and easy. Best experience I had buying a car. ”


“ My experience at Pohanka Acura was awesome. Yong Kim was my sales rep and he took such great care of us! He's easy to work with and very knowledgeable. My husband and I have bought multiple Acuras from Yong and it's been a great experience every time. We also really enjoyed working with our finance manager, Shahbaz Butt! ”