This article discusses the differences between automatic and manual transmissions, and how each operates. A clutch is used in an automatic transmission, but it is operated differently than in a manual transmission. - The clutch pedal is not present in an automatic transmission car as there is no need for the driver to manually disengage the clutch. In a regular manual transmission, the clutch is operated by a pressure foot pedal, and it serves to change gears. In an automatic transmission, the clutch is operated by the transmission control module which is located inside of the automatic transmissions housing. This module manages hydraulic pressure which engages and disengages the clutches inside of the transmission so that it can shift gears.

Depressing the clutch pedal causes hydraulic pressure to be directed to the valve body, which interrupts power flow from the engine and causes pistons in the cylinder to move, thereby engaging or disengaging one gear from another in order for the driver to switch gears. Automatic transmissions use a gear train with valves instead of a clutch in order to disengage the engine from the wheels. The gear train is made up of a number of valves that are opened and closed by solenoids which operate under hydraulic pressure, allowing for smooth and precise shifting. The most advanced type of automatic transmission is known as a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which uses two clutches that are controlled by electronic sensors.

The first clutch is responsible for engaging the engine with the torque converter, while the second clutch is responsible for providing coupling between the engine and transmission. This system uses a friction clutch to transfer power from the engine to the wheels and to provide coupling when decoupling. Modern automatic transmissions use hydraulic fluid coupling instead of a friction clutch. The hydraulic fluid transfers power from the engine's electronic control unit (ECU) to control how much torque is transferred to each wheel, allowing for smooth and precise gear shifting.

Automatic transmissions are the most common type of transmission found in cars, but manual and dual-clutch transmissions are also available. Automatic transmissions utilize a clutch system to actuate gear changes, but it is not controlled by the driver. Instead, it is controlled by the car's computer. Many car makers prefer to use automatic transmissions because they provide improved fuel economy and reduce driver fatigue. Automatic cars also feature an "autostick" mode, which allows drivers to manually select gears using buttons or paddles on the steering wheel. This mode is used mainly for performance driving or off-road conditions where more control over engine speed and torque is needed. However, many car makers now offer traditional torque converter automatic transmissions, which do not require any driver input to shift between gears. When selecting a car with an automatic transmission, you have several options: traditional torque converter systems; dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs), which use two clutches for faster gear shifts; and continuously variable transmission (CVT) systems that provide infinite ratios for smoother acceleration and better fuel economy than DCTs or torque converters.

But do cars with an automatic transmission have a clutch? The answer is yes, but it operates differently than the clutch found in manual transmissions. Clutch discs are used to engage the transmission gears, while clutches brakes are used to change your gear ratio, similar to planetary gears in a manual transmission. The basic principle of how an automatic gear set works is similar to a manual transmission, as both use clutches and bands that are engaged and disengaged to keep various components in mechanical limbo.