At Rowlett Transmission, we’re not only transmission repair experts, we’re also industry enthusiasts who love learning more about our field. When you bring your vehicle to our local transmission shop, we’re more than happy to explain how transmissions work. We also love finding out more about the history of automotive transmissions and how they’ve helped to shape the modern world. Here are five interesting facts about vehicle transmissions.

The First Mass-Produced Automatic Transmission 

In 1939, GM introduced the HydraMatic gearbox in Cadillac and Oldsmobile models. The HydraMatic was the first automatic-style transmission made widely available and marked a major step in transmission technology. 

The Vast Majority of Americans Can’t Drive a Stick Shift

In a 2018 study, it was found that only 18% of American drivers knew how to drive a manual transmission. With automatic transmissions becoming increasingly common, operating a stick shift is becoming a lost art. 

Manual Transmissions Don’t Always Get Better MPGs

In decades past, it was common for vehicles with manual transmissions to get better gas mileage than the same models that came with automatic transmissions. However, in today’s models, it’s common for automatics to get equal or even slightly better gas mileage than their stick-shift counterparts. 

The Preselector Gearbox

The “preselect” transmission gained popularity between the 1930s and 1950s. To operate this transmission, drivers would first select which gear they wanted to shift to before actually engaging the clutch pedal. Then once the driver hit the clutch, the transmission would automatically shift to the pre-selected gear. 

You Have to Get a Specific License to Drive a Manual in the U.K.

If you want to be able to legally drive a stick shift in the United Kingdom, you must first pass a driving test using a car that has a manual transmission.

Transmission Service in Rowlett, TX

When you need transmission service in Rowlett and the surrounding area, contact Rowlett Transmission at (972) 284-0781. At our nearby transmission shop, we can expertly address your transmission repair and maintenance needs. Feel free to give us a call today to make an appointment!