Autostick

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The name Autostick has been used for a Volkswagen semi-automatic transmission, which is a vacuum-operated automatic clutch system, coupled with a conventional 3-speed manual transmission. The "AutoStick" system designed by Chrysler allows for manual selection of gears with a standard hydraulic automatic transmission, also known as a manumatic. [1]

Contents

The Autostick systems used by Volkswagen and Chrysler are unrelated, not mechanically similar in their operation, and do not share any similarities with their internal design and build.

The manumatic transmission systems are variously described or marketed under names that including "e-stick", "shift-command", "steptronic", and "geartronic". [2] Manufacturers increasingly offer electronically-controlled automatic transmissions that provide drivers with an ability to shift gears on their own.

The objective of these systems is to provide a sportier, more driver-focused feel. [3] They combine the convenience of an automatic with the ability for the driver to have an increased degree of control in gear selection process. Due to modern automatic transmissions becoming almost as efficient and responsive, cars with fully manual transmissions are less in demand. [3]

Volkswagen Autostick

Marketed as the Volkswagen Automatic Stickshift, the three-speed manual transmission was connected to a vacuum-operated automatic clutch. The top of the gear shift was designed to easily depress and activate an electric switch, i.e. when engaged by the driver's hand. When pressed, the switch operated a 12-volt solenoid, in turn, operating the vacuum clutch servo, thus disengaging the clutch and allowing shifting between gears. With the driver's hand removed from the gearshift, the clutch would re-engage automatically. The transmission was also equipped with a torque converter, allowing the car to idle in gear, like an automatic. The torque converter was operated by transmission fluid. This would allow the car to stop in any gear and start from a standing stop in any gear. [4] [5] [6]

The Autostick debuted on the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle and Karmann Ghia (Type 14) at mid-model year along with a fully-independent rear suspension that debuted in August 1968 for the 1969 model year. VW ended Autostick production with the 1976 model year.

Chrysler AutoStick

Chrysler developed an automatic transmission with electronic transaxle controls in that had an Autostick mode providing more aggressive shifting between gears when there was increased throttle. [7] "Essentially a driver-interactive automatic transmission that offers gear-shifting capability" the Jazz show car featured the new system. [7]

Marketed as the Chrysler AutoStick, the Dodge Intrepid ES and Eagle Vision TSi were the first production automobile models in North America that came equipped with the system, the former as an option, the latter as standard. The system was standard equipment on the 1997 Plymouth Prowler and 1999 Chrysler 300M. It was added to the JA cars on the 1997 Stratus. This system was standard on 1999 to 2003 model year Dodge Grand Caravan ES, but only the front-wheel drive models since the AWD used a different TCM. Many Chrysler models were later fitted with this system, including the 300, 300C, Charger, Challenger, Sebring, PT Cruiser, Crossfire, Pacifica, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Stratus R/T, Dodge Journey R/T and SXT and Dodge Grand Caravan.

System advantages

Components and operation

Components of the Autostick system in the first Chrysler vehicles to have the design included a different TCM (Transmission Control Module), shift assembly utilizing a unique PRNDL design invented by Peter Gruich in 1994, and gauge cluster. The gauge cluster includes a read-out to let the driver know which gear is selected. Switching between automatic and manual transmission modes is by moving the shift lever to the bottom that then allows upshifts and downshifts by moving the lever left and right. [8]

The system works with shifter down into a gated area on the shift assembly that allows the shifter to be pushed to the right (up-shift) or to the left (down-shift). [9] Pushing the shifter sends a signal to the TCM to shift up, or down depending on the driver's actions. [9] Dropping the shifter into the Autostick gate while the vehicle is moving will keep the transmission in the current automatically selected gear.

For the column-shift third- and fourth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan ES, Chrysler Town and Country 1999–2003, four-speed automatic transmission models with FWD (41TE) or AWD (41AE) transmission only. The Autostick feature is activated by moving the "PRNDL" transmission selection on the steering column clockwise past D where L is usually found. When selected the current gear ratio is not changed, the "Autostick" indicator illuminates in the instrument cluster, the numbers 3 2 1 illuminate to the right of D, and a square appears around the gear currently engaged, D 3 2 or 1. The button on the end of the handle is used to engage/disengage overdrive lockout, the same function as selecting L when not equipped with Autostick. When engaged the transmission will not enter 4th gear and downshifts to 3rd if it is in 4th gear. Specific gears are selected by an up/off/down 3 position momentary switch in the middle of the handle on the PRNDL lever, up to upshift and down to downshift. OD lockout and specific gear selection are mutually exclusive. While in OD lockout the transmission behaves as a 3-speed automatic transmission. Autostick gear selection holds a specific gear 1, 2, or 3 until another gear is selected by the up/down switch, the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and Autostick forces a shift to 1st gear, Autostick operation is canceled by selecting 4th gear, aka D, or Autostick is disengaged by moving the PRNDL.

The service manual explains that Autostick signaling is multiplexed on a single wire. The transmission control module outputs a 5v signal to the handle and monitors it for voltage drop The voltage ranges 0.3-1.6,1.6-2.8, 2.8-3.8, and 3.8-4.8 representing down, up, overdrive lockout, and all open respectively. The vehicle drops into 1st after stopping but can be launched in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gear. The speed (or cruise) control operates only in 3rd and 4th gear while in Autostick mode and is deactivated if shifted to 2nd gear, just as it would if the driver had braked. Shifting into 4th (aka D) cancels Autostick single gear selection mode, and gears are automatically selected as usual until down or OD lockout is pressed.

System failsafes

In modern implementations, if the user does not shift while driving in the Autostick mode, the transmission will automatically up-shift at redline (the exception being the Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler which will not shift automatically at redline when in AutoStick mode) to prevent engine/transmission damage, and will not downshift into the redline. [9] When coming to a complete stop, the system will automatically return to the first gear.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automatic transmission</span> Type of motor vehicle transmission that automatically changes gear ratio as the vehicle moves

An automatic transmission is a multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving conditions. Vehicles with internal combustion engines, unlike electric vehicles, require the engine to operate in a narrow range of rates of rotation, requiring a gearbox, operated manually or automatically, to drive the wheels over a wide range of speeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transmission (mechanical device)</span> Drivetrain transmitting propulsion power

A transmission is a mechanical device which uses a gear set—two or more gears working together—to change the speed, direction of rotation, or torque multiplication/reduction in a machine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manual transmission</span> Motor vehicle manual gearbox; stick shift

A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission, or stick shift, is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission system where gear changes require the driver to manually select the gears by operating a gear stick and clutch.

A semi-automatic transmission is a multiple-speed transmission where part of its operation is automated, but the driver's input is still required to launch the vehicle from a standstill and to manually change gears. Semi-automatic transmissions were almost exclusively used in motorcycles and are based on conventional manual transmissions or sequential manual transmissions, but use an automatic clutch system. But some semi-automatic transmissions have also been based on standard hydraulic automatic transmissions with torque converters and planetary gearsets.

The modern usage of the automotive term manumatic denotes an automatic transmission that allows the driver to select a specific gear, typically using paddle-shifters, steering wheel-mounted push-buttons, or "+" and "-" controls on the gear selector.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TorqueFlite</span> Automatic transmission made by Chrysler

TorqueFlite is the trademarked name of Chrysler Corporation's automatic transmissions, starting with the three-speed unit introduced late in the 1956 model year as a successor to Chrysler's two-speed PowerFlite. In the 1990s, the TorqueFlite name was dropped in favor of alphanumeric designations, although the latest Chrysler eight-speed automatic transmission has revived the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Direct-shift gearbox</span> Type of dual-clutch transmission

A direct-shift gearbox is an electronically controlled, dual-clutch, multiple-shaft, automatic gearbox, in either a transaxle or traditional transmission layout, with automated clutch operation, and with fully-automatic or semi-manual gear selection. The first dual-clutch transmissions were derived from Porsche in-house development for the Porsche 962 in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic transmission</span> Motor vehicle automatic transmission model

7G-Tronic is Mercedes-Benz's trademark name for its 7-speed automatic transmission, starting off with the W7A 700 and W7A 400 as core models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated manual transmission</span> Type of multi-speed motor vehicle transmission system

The automated manual transmission (AMT) is a type of transmission for motor vehicles. It is essentially a conventional manual transmission equipped with automatic actuation to operate the clutch and/or shift gears.

The Ultradrive is an automatic transmission manufactured by Chrysler beginning in the 1989 model year.

A transmission control unit (TCU), also known as a transmission control module (TCM), or a gearbox control unit (GCU), is a type of automotive ECU that is used to control electronic automatic transmissions. Similar systems are used in conjunction with various semi-automatic transmissions, purely for clutch automation and actuation. A TCU in a modern automatic transmission generally uses sensors from the vehicle, as well as data provided by the engine control unit (ECU), to calculate how and when to change gears in the vehicle for optimum performance, fuel economy and shift quality.

Fluid Drive is the trademarked name that Chrysler Corporation assigned to a transmission driveline combination which replaced the flywheel with a hydraulic coupling and performed the same function as a modern torque converter, only without torque multiplication. A conventional clutch, and three- or four-speed manual transmission was installed behind the fluid coupling. Fluid drive was used in many military vehicles produced for the US Armed Forces during the Second World War. It was offered for civilian use from 1939 through 1953 in Chryslers, 1940 through 1953 in DeSotos, and from 1941 through 1954 in Dodge models; a semi-automatic system was optional from Chrysler and Desoto from 1941, and for Dodge from 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gear stick</span> Lever used for shifting gears manually

A gear stick, gear lever, gearshift or shifter, more formally known as a transmission lever, is a metal lever attached to the transmission of an automobile. The term gear stick mostly refers to the shift lever of a manual transmission, while in an automatic transmission, a similar lever is known as a gear selector. A gear stick will normally be used to change gear whilst depressing the clutch pedal with the left foot to disengage the engine from the drivetrain and wheels. Automatic transmission vehicles, including hydraulic automatic transmissions, automated manual and older semi-automatic transmissions, like VW Autostick, and those with continuously variable transmissions, do not require a physical clutch pedal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sequential manual transmission</span> Motor transmission

A sequential manual transmission, also known as a sequential gearbox or sequential transmission, is a type of non-synchronous manual transmission used mostly in motorcycles and racing cars. It produces faster shift times than traditional synchronized manual transmissions, and restricts the driver to selecting either the next or previous gear, in a successive order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selespeed</span> Automated manual gearbox

Selespeed is the name of an automated manual transmission used in Alfa Romeo cars, developed by Italian company Magneti Marelli and made by Graziano Trasmissioni.

Shiftronic is Hyundai Motor Company's version of the manumatic automatic transmission. A Shiftronic transmission can operate just like a conventional automatic transmission, but it also allows the driver to override the computer's automatic mode by moving the shift lever into a second shift gate equipped with two spring-loaded positions: "upshift" and "downshift". Once in this gate, the driver takes over most of the shifting decisions ordinarily performed by the transmission's computer, permitting, for example, the delaying of an upshift for increased acceleration or to increase the braking effect of the engine. A Shiftronic transmission utilizes a torque converter; consequently, it is not a standard transmission, single-clutch AMT, or a newer dual-clutch transmission like Volkswagen's Direct-Shift Gearbox. In overridden mode, however, a Shiftronic transmission does not allow the engine to stall or over-rev.

Synchronized downshift rev-matching system is a technology invented by Nissan for use on the Nissan 370Z. In combination with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and various sensors, the engine electronically blips the throttle for the driver during both downshifts and upshifts to allow for better and smoother shifting, and improved handling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MultiMode manual transmission</span> Type of automated manual transmission

A MultiMode manual transmission is a type of automated manual transmission offered by Toyota. It uses a traditional manual gearbox with a computer-controlled clutch actuated by permanent magnet motors. Multimode Manual Transmission is available in the Aygo, Yaris, Corolla, Corolla Verso, Mark X and Auris in Europe, and should not be confused with Multimode Automatic Transmission, which is offered in the North American market by Toyota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dual-clutch transmission</span> Type of vehicle transmission

A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is a type of multi-speed vehicle transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets. The design is often similar to two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing, and working as one unit. In car and truck applications, the DCT functions as an automatic transmission, requiring no driver input to change gears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Car controls</span> Car parts used to control the vehicle

Car controls are the components in automobiles and other powered road vehicles, such as trucks and buses, used for driving and parking.

References

  1. ↑ Erjavec, Jack (2010). Today's Technician: Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles. Cengage Learning. ISBN   9781133007623 . Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  2. ↑ R., Jordan. "Is Manual Transmission Dead?". nowcar.com. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 "How to Use Autostick". Autoblog. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "How Does An Autostick Work?". VW Automatic Register. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Autostick". Rob and Dave’s Aircooled Volkswagen Web Pages. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "Automatic or standard". cargurus.com. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Automatic transmission with manual-shifting capability". Automotive Engineering. 103. Society of Automotive Engineers: 36, 116. 1972. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  8. ↑ McCosh, Dan (April 1995). "Automotive: Transmissions; Shifting An Automatic". Popular Science. 246 (4): 36. Retrieved 11 May 2022– via Google Books.
  9. 1 2 3 Erjavec, Jack (2005). Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach. Cengage Learning. p. 1037. ISBN   9781401848316 . Retrieved 11 November 2020.
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