There are two main types of transmissions found on Toyota vehicles today, and they're the same to that have been offered for decades. One is manual. The other, automatic. Automatic is more common these days, but it's a matter of personal preference when it comes to equipping your ride.

The Different Transmission Types

A manual transmission, also known as a stick shift, lets you choose when to change gears. How it works sounds simple but takes a bit of practice to master gracefully. First, you press the clutch, which separates an input shaft. You move to the next gear up – or down, depending – and a linkage connects a locking collar to an output shaft. You release the clutch, the input shaft reengages, the output shaft turns, and you keep moving. Doing this allows you to keep your engine from working too hard and getting damaged.

An automatic transmission is much easier to tackle. Since there's no clutch, you're not responsible for managing the gear changes yourself. Instead, a torque converter connects the engine and transmission, changing gears as needed using fluid pressure.

How to Spot Transmission Problems

Eventually, even the best transmission can have trouble working properly. Fortunately, there are signs of this. They include:

A slippery or odd-feeling clutch
A burning smell when you release the clutch
You hear grinding noises when your gears change
The engine revs too high

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