Technological progress has produced gearboxes of advanced design, which are strong, more flexible, and make gear selection and changing a simple operation. The biggest problem facing car designers has been to develop a mechanism by which drivers can overcome the problem of changing gear. Several well-known car makers have produced flexible automatic systems, which enable a driver to choose automatic mode or a method of overriding the mechanism to change gears conventionally but without the use of a clutch pedal. Modern gearboxes have given freedom of driving expression to millions of people. In particular, the development of the baulk ring synchromesh has allowed almost everyone to drive a car. Although the modern gearbox is very good and fairly durable, it is complicated and it will develop faults. Gearbox units in many cars suffer from poor standards of driving or instruction, or lack of mechanical sympathy. Many drivers tend to abuse their gears, perhaps through ignorance, perhaps through a bad attitude. It takes time for a driver to develop the skills of judging the best gear for the speed, car control, and hazards ahead. The right ingredients are required for a perfect gear change: they include preparing for the change, skilful coordination, holding the gear lever correctly, and matching the gear to the speed.
Abstract