As you go about your daily driving routine, your transmission does the important job of transferring power from your engine to your wheels. And although your biggest concern is that your transmission simply works reliably, there is actually some interesting history behind automotive transmissions. At Hirst Transmission Specialists, we love learning everything we can about our field. At our local transmission shop, we provide expertise with all facets of transmission repair in Pensacola. Here’s a look at five interesting facts about transmissions.

The First Mass-Produced Automatic Transmission

GM’s HydraMatic gearbox was the first automatic-style transmission that was available to the public on a wide scale. It was released in 1939 and was featured in GM’s Cadillac and Oldsmobile models.

The Preselector Gearbox

A type of transmission called “the preselect” was quite common from the 1930s to the 1950s. When operating this kind of transmission, the driver would select the gear that they wanted to shift to before actually stepping on the clutch pedal. Then, once you engaged the clutch, the vehicle would automatically shift to the preselected gear.

Manuals No Longer Always Get Better MPGs

In years past, it was true that manual models regularly got better gas mileage than automatics. However, innovations in industry technology have led to automatic transmissions that get similar or better MPGs than the same models that have manual transmissions. 

Not Many Americans Know How to Drive a Stick Anymore

A study released in 2018 indicated that only 18% of American drivers know how to operate a manual transmission.

You Have to Get Specifically Licensed to Drive a Manual in the U.K.

For residents of the United Kingdom, you can’t just breeze through your drive test in an automatic transmission and then jump behind the wheel of a stick shift. Rather, if you want to legally drive a manual, you have to pass a driver’s test in a manual transmission vehicle. 

Transmission Repair in Pensacola, FL

When you need transmission repair in Pensacola and the surrounding area, contact Hirst Transmission Specialists at (850) 478-3395. At our local transmission shop, we can address any of your vehicle’s transmission needs. Feel free to give us a call today to make an appointment!