How Manual Transmissions Work - A Simple Explanation

How do manual transmissions work? We'll learn how clutches work, how gears work, and how shifting works with a detailed explanation using a 5-speed manual transmission as an example.
Manual transmissions are without a doubt one of the greatest and most enjoyable automotive inventions. But how do stick shifts work? It all starts at the engine, where the flywheel transmits power to a clutch disc that's sandwiched between the pressure plate. The clutch disc is splined to the transmission input shaft, which rotates the gear assembly. A selector fork allows the driver to choose which gear to select, and power will then be routed to an output shaft and then a differential, ultimately reaching the driven wheels. Manual transmissions are super cool, check out the video for details as to how they work!
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[@EngineeringExplained]

Hope everyone's having a wonderful day! If you're curious about manual transmissions, I have tons of videos on the subject! Rev Matching - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ-7fY2dlLRkqM0 Double Clutching - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpbWlIqwidF6h5I Heel & Toe - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpbSfYWNeLN6maM Is It Okay To Skip Gears - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqGqpIGOitGLZ8U Is It Okay To Start In 2nd Gear - kzbin.info/www/bejne/noCnnGilbsZoh8k Power Shifting - kzbin.info/www/bejne/goaoYYinZ82je6s Manual Transmission Disadvantages - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKWtfJWJg9B_gJI When To Shift For Fuel Economy - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3_WoYGai9CmoqM Manual Trans Engine Braking - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX_FfouAZ8Ssp7c When To Shift Gears - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIulopVmj6-Grbc Coast Or Engine Brake - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZO9nZVsZ7uJotk How To Launch A Manual - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2WsZoWLYreBnrM How To Launch An Auto Trans - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5rKYmewbJ2AmLs What Is Two Step - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKS0mZ57jbhoq9k

[@sonysugiharto7196]

How its work for forklift transmission with 2 gear forward and 2 gear reversed?

[@dmajumdar2059]

Awesome video! I like you videos explaining basic concepts in great detail. Cheers!

[@juzoli]

Engineering Explained Wow, it was literally yesterday when I was thinking about, I still don’t understand some aspect of the manual transmission, so I should do some research.

[@juzoli]

Engineering Explained Could you go into the details how the synchronizer works? It was kindof skipped...

[@jogmas12]

Engineering Explained does it matter if the transmission is mounted to a traverse mounted engine?

[@allenrust7359]

5:03 "Somebody" was playing Johnny Racecar and smoked the pressure plate 10:43 This is out of my GTI Busted!

[@johanbjork1650]

Have you met his wife?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Haha yep. The Jonny racecar racer was me. 😂

[@HumbleMechanic]

What a fun time Jason! I hope yall enjoyed this video. Now I have to get this old girl put back together. :P

[@EngineeringExplained]

Such a sweet build! I think I accidentally brought one of the gear's needle bearings back home with me. It looked cool. Or maybe I didn't, I forget.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

You guys had way too much fun doing that, especially Jason lol.

[@fpl_bailey]

BTW very nice beard sir

[@HumbleMechanic]

HA!

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL We really do have fun :P

[@alex26toma]

I think this is the best explanation of manual transmissions on KZbin so far. Great work.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Happy to hear it, thanks for watching! :)

[@gabrieliuskacinskas6874]

Check Science Garage

[@christhjian9923]

Some pre 2nd world war tutorials are also awesome, but Jason and Charles did great job as usual

[@JohnPaul-di3ph]

@@christhjian9923 oh man the one on differentials was amazing. Never seen a better explanation anywhere on youtube or irl.

[@AlexAugustinex]

US Auto garage's video from 1936....watch it

[@Kirschengulasch]

This was the last piece of the puzzle for me to understand how transmissions work. I already knew the components and basic procedure, but could never actually imagine how the gears interact. Great video.

[@Roadrage-oq5js]

Right??? Me too.

[@scarygamer1778]

Same

[@kevinyouyube]

That's what I'd call "manual transmission". You're literally using your hands to shift gears 😂

[@sefyboy7183]

Yeah, Dunno about you but I literally use my hands to shift gears.

[@bass2762]

@@sefyboy7183 same bro, i always have to reach my hand into the gear box the change the gears while stepping on the clutch or i just hold the clutch with my own hand while shifting gears

[@nlsdrf1290]

Not transmitting anything though

[@zenaxia8063]

Im so glad you arent my dad

[@pilotavery]

Oh I don't use my hands directly, I shift them using a metal rod on a fulcrum to kind of poke around in there remotely with a lever. It's inside the car so that I can manipulate it to change my gears.

[@VAspeed3]

Been driving manual transmissions since the 70's, toe/heeling for over 10 years, know the names of all the components, but have never seen them in action. This consolidated all that knowledge into a functioning concept for me in 11 minutes. Everyone who drives a manual transmission vehicle should watch this and understand.

[@jonathanmatthews4774]

Been driving standard for as long as I have driven. I've never seen the actual "workings". This was absolutely fantastic in every way. More of this please.

[@DrB1900]

Yes, that was awesome. Funny though, it didn't look anything like the whiteboard drawing ;)

[@ArgueWithTheMajority]

Straight cut gears in reverse... so that's why cars in reverse sound like tiny toy rally cars...

[@TheBigDanois]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@thatoneotherotherguy]

In ten years of manual ownership I've known about straight-cut gear whine, and whine in reverse... but had never linked the two! Haha

[@fidelcatsro6948]

hahaha makes sense!

[@thatoneotherotherguy]

@Sandy Lee, hell, a number of manual trans vehicles over the years have had a synchronized reverse gear for some reason. And every manual Saab I have been in required me to park in reverse to take out the key... sometimes the auto industry is weird!

[@apexseal2811]

Just commented that without even reading yours! Haha. Seems many of us were questioning that.

[@danielcox3983]

I can die a happy man because Jason made wonky car noises.

[@zachariegagnon3333]

Would have been awesome to see the synchros explained

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yeah, I think that's a great topic!

[@dirtrider88]

in addition, explaining double clutching would be great too.

[@haidarao3634]

Damn I want him to do this video soo bad

[@GearBoxVideo]

There is a pretty good explanation on synchros on my channel and I did do a manual transmission video with their friend EricTheCarGuy

[@seanedwards203]

@@GearBoxVideo do you have a link?

[@m00hk00h]

And here I was, thinking there would be no whiteboard in this episode. Silly me.

[@HumbleMechanic]

We learned that lesson HAHAHA. That was a freshy whiteboard I was saving just for Jason.

[@mattiloponen92]

I knew this stuff already but i still enjoyed this demosttation as it was very easy to understand and im sure that many ppl will learn from this.

[@darreno1450]

Excellent video. Shows the simplicity as well as the genius of the manual and why they tend to be much less problematic. You should do one on a modern automatic if you haven't done so already. As much as I can't stand automatics, the engineering is a marvel and the complexity off scale.

[@Flamekaho]

I started driving manual about two months ago. I have been watching your videos to learn more about driving it and about it. This video pretty sums everything up for, and very well made! Thanks for the education as always!

[@RTGMogley]

this so far is the best explanation of how a transmission works that i have found,i have watched several other videos not having a clue what i was listening to/looking at. the thing that still gets me is the synchronizers and the collars. thanks for the informative video!

[@CerebrumMortum]

I had hypothetical understanding of this, but that's the first time I get to actually see in details how it works This is why I love this channel. THANKS!

[@NdalamaCassiusMaluleke]

Maaaan! the effort invested in this. I almost wondered why did i not subscribe... thats because i subscribed long ago. Thanks a lot guys that was awesome!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you!! 🙏

[@paulpak1]

Awesome video. That feeling you get when you learn something new about something so familiar yet mystifying at the same time is just awesome. I'm going to have a newfound appreciation when driving my manual transmission car around every day. Love it!

[@danielallocca7770]

Hands down the most informative video I’ve ever seen on manuals transmissions. This was excellent

[@gautamdhiman6481]

This is the best explanation of mannual transmission ever on youtube... really liked it

[@venkatsuresh3807]

Best explanation for Manual transmission of all time..!!

[@GANRIAL]

Thanks Jason! You're videos are the only videos that actually make sense and are very well explained! Very detailed and educational

[@Brian-Burke]

Great tutorial. I've always had trouble visualizing how a transmission works. This helped a lot.

[@nugzminilab]

Even without animation, this video explains more clearly than any other video I've ever watched. Now I understand very well how the transmission works... Good job, and God bless you

[@larryparker2297]

Wow! Thanks guys! I have driven 5 speed manual transmission trucks, most of my life, except for a Toyota Tundra. I have always wanted to know how the gearbox work, with the clutch. Thank you for demonstrating, and showing how it works. Have a great day!!

[@Royalfox7]

Very educational, simple, and illustrative! Thank you for this video! But there's something missing that I've always been wanting to understand, and so hopefully you'll cover it in a follow-up video as other's have requested: How do the synchromeshes work (maybe with a tie-in with rev-matching / double-clutching)? And maybe in another video: How do dual-clutch transmissions work? And maybe yet in another video: How do modern automatic transmissions shift gears smoothly without jolting the car between shifts? Hope that's not asking for too much. Thank you for your educationally addicting videos!

[@TMM6900]

love a visual guide to solidify what I learn from school! excellent video as always Jason, and nice Collab with another fav of mine!

[@frankmystry3531]

After a long search, somebody did it the best. Thanks for good explanation

[@anthonymarge2106]

This is exactly what I wanted to see and puts everything into context physically! Thank you!

[@Jackchalm]

You've managed to explain it better than anyone in my bloody Master's in Mechanical Engineering. Great stuff!

[@tobiasgobke3720]

This is one the BEST Videos i've ever seen about manual transmissions. Furthermore very informal and funny :D Thank you very much and kind regards from a german watcher.

[@atharvagarwal2198]

thank alot jason , this was one of the best explanations of a manual transmission system .

[@BritishBoy1971]

I've wondered for years about how gearboxes work!! Thank you for showing me. Cheers! 🙂👍

[@JDMricist]

This was definitely one of the most clearly explained demonstrations of every function of the transmission.

[@thanosp.8140]

Excellent demonstration, especially on how the cogs on the output shaft aren't firmly attached to it unless the corresponding gear is selected. Brilliant!

[@marlboro-manmat295]

Thank you! It has taken me only 40-something years to finally find a decent lesson in how a manual transmission works. Now - at last - I understand it.

[@trevor626s]

This is what I wish auto manufacturers would do the engineers and mechanics talking to each other.

[@Phantom-ys5ur]

Finally finally understood how the gears work. Thanks!!!!

[@LMacNeill]

Yay!! The Humble Mechanic! My go-to VW guru!! I do all the repairs and maintenance on my wife's 2012 VW Sportwagen TDI, and on my step-daughter's 2012 VW Jetta TDI. The guy is a life-saver when it comes to helping me keep my VWs on the road!

[@HumbleMechanic]

LMacNeill 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 thank you so much.

[@teddythetorkie5756]

Never fully understood how a manual transmission works until now, thanks.

[@byzanttine]

Fantastic video. Explained in simple layman terms. Thank You Jason and Charles for a great explanation.

[@vipergtsr]

Definitely the best explanation I've seen on KZbin, well done! You guys need to team up more!

[@musasizigodfreydixion6231]

Thanks for the explanation.I have now learnt how the gear system works.

[@dmr9042]

it all makes sense now. thank you guys for explaining in more details.

[@kaushal21fb]

Who can dislike this? The demonstration at the end was awesome. Thanks guys! :)

[@v-mekka144]

This was a great presentation, I ended up learning a lot from this. It makes me feel even more connected to my vehicle now just thinking about all of this as I’m shifting gears

[@Prasadkr1011]

Awesome, was searching for a practical explanation and this nailed it

[@miffedmax]

Honestly, who thumbs down these guys? Two of the best and most informative sources on the 'net.

[@topscavanger1745]

Congratulation on hitting 2 million subcriber

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you so much!! :D

[@topscavanger1745]

@@EngineeringExplained no problem and thanks for the love

[@electronicsNmore]

I'd love to read the waiver. LOL Great video!

[@amirfmaster2515]

I really appreciate these videos and the free knowledge you guys provide

[@brucestevens8616]

I know I'm way behind on videos but I'm still chuckling about the mechanic saying "Hello and welcome" in the one video. Keep up the great work!

[@travispeoples]

Thank You! I've watched other videos and illustrations that didn't explain this as well... I totally get it now!

[@timsexton]

This was hilariously educating. Thanks for teaming up! *_TRUST !!_*

[@fenmoods]

Been waiting for this explanation of manual transmissions! Thank you very much!

[@N_Dramz]

This helped me pass my state manual transmission test!! Thank you

[@DaxterL]

Super useful since we're covering this in class and next week is a test. Thanks man.

[@mikeg8494]

These guys make a great Duo. Nice work to the both of you.

[@Yathuprem]

4:48 that timing with the bottom video is great.

[@Hirangel27]

For a while I was trying to understand how transmission work ..... this video explain it sooo perfect 👌🏼 .!!!! Amazing

[@matthewfain3289]

Everything you guys explained was great! I never understood how it all actually worked. The only thing I’d love to still understand better is how the stick in the cab of the car actually changes gears when you shift. If you have any video’s on that, I’d love to see them!

[@Zaufa_First_of_His_Name]

I'm 22 but I just found out how transmission work in this video. Thank you. 🙏

[@EngineeringExplained]

There's no age too old for learning! :)

[@Zaufa_First_of_His_Name]

@@EngineeringExplained Thank you for making this video 🙏 💕💕

[@B1gTitzNoN1pz]

The chemistry between you two has made great strides since your original videos.

[@dexterflodstrom9975]

Great video! It really taught me how the gears interact, very well put out and easy to understand!

[@testbooster]

Great.....I've watched other videos about manual transmissions but this one really clicked for me Thanks........

[@MrKen11589]

I have wondered for years how a manual transmission works, finally I learned. Thank you very interesting.

[@gmupps]

I already know how a manual trans works (I rebuilt an NV4500 in my living room once), but I still watched this just so I could see Jason and Charles hang and discuss something they're both passionate about.

[@grzegorzkapica7930]

Man. So many years I could not get it. Thank you guys!

[@prodrivebrasil]

Thank you very much! Excellent explanation so I could finally understand manual transmission.

[@PiterStreak]

One of the best explanation videos to date! I knew all of this but the execution was very well done. 👏 👏

[@onkarchilwar5535]

Described very well with practcal.. Cleared all the concept thoroughly.. Keep it up guys,👍👍

[@MeiklesAndDimes]

It’s really nice seeing the actual parts

[@BradOnCars]

Such a great video! So many people have no idea how they work. "Grinding gears" etc. etc. Gears are always engaged i.e. the gear teeth are in constant contact with their corollary gear that make the ratio. I will use this video to help educate my friends! Keep up the awesome vids!

[@GilbertoMadeira83]

It is so much funny when you guys make your videos together, congrats!

[@jfazzuoli3813]

This is great. Transmissions always eluded me. I need to watch this a few more times for it to sink in my thick skull but very informative. Thanks!

[@prasadreddy5421]

Thankyou sir 👍 The best video on the Dynamics of Gear Box and its Function, Gear Transmission Ratio Etc.,

[@nadeenanuradha8100]

Today, my Automotive course is over. Thank you for the knowledge you gave..... Good Luck Engineering Explained... I will hope get many new automotive technology

[@jakesimm5889]

It all makes sense now! Now I have something to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@CzaDevian]

Simple, classy, fun and accurate! You earned a subscriber, thank you

[@carolinecicotte5555]

such a fantastic video! was super useful to really SEE it instead of an animation! Kudos! 🎉

[@bihararamantha8339]

This is very useful and valuable video. And most importantly they both instructing simple to understand easy

[@kwamedavis7634]

on lock down learning all this pretty cool stuff ...was always curious how transmissions work

[@Peter-tf2uc]

this is so cool. finally got to see the inside of transmission box

[@shortbusshorty1879]

Super interesting, thanks for the free content!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@Hithere154]

Wow haha I always thought transmissions were way more complicated than that but the way you guys explained it made perfect sense, and actually made the concepts at least fairly simple! Thanks for the lesson on how they work 😂

[@PedroG0m3s]

Im very grateful for this channel. Congrats!!!

[@xanny7373]

i always knew how they worked but this helped me understand, thanks!

[@lawrencefearon6830]

Should be taught in driver's ed. Excellent articulation of transmission mechanics. Visuals set EE on a different level.

[@TheMr0450]

Your a really like-able chap Jason.. love your work.. humble mechanic is gonna be ma next subscription.. keep up the great work!

[@37rmstrong]

For the first time, I actually get how this works. Thanks guys. Hmm... VW? Looked like an s2k to me. 😁

[@damianbuszuje]

thanks guys! finally someone explained clearly and got it!

[@volkte37]

Superb video. Best explanation I've seen yet.

[@RANDsreviews]

Great partnership on how transmission works! Only knew the concept, I'm never seen it done with four hands. LOL! Excellent demonstration!

[@ahmadkheder7060]

That was very interesting man! I was such a blind before watching this.. keep ongoing. Thanks a lot .

[@gregggreen8659]

Very educational please do more of these kind of videos and thanks for explaining such great knowledge

[@Vonfluff]

That was absolutely superb! Fun and easy to understand - can't believe I reached 46 without knowing actually how this works. 11 minutes of my life well spent!

[@scottbennett3119]

Thanks guys for the demonstration, now I finally understand how a manual transmission works.

[@omarfannoun5650]

So nice to see you guys togather

[@ammarzaidi765]

That was an awesome explanation, better than any book or diagram. That’s how teaching should be