# Sequential shift transmissions **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [January 5, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513 "2013-01-05T01:05:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![godzdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@godzdog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/godzdog)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/1 "2013-01-05T01:05:54Z")
While looking for a new auto I came across something called an automatic sequential shift transmission. I know basically that you can use them as an automatic or choose the gear you want. If someone wants to expand on this great. What I need to know is are they any good, are they dependable, are they outrageously expensive to repair etc. Do they all use the paddles? This particular tranny is in a Ford Fiesta 2011 While we’re at it can some one fill me in on CVT’s as well??? Many thanks! ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/2 "2013-01-05T01:41:45Z")
_**Automatic Sequential Shift Transmissions (As Opposed To Automatic Random Shift Transmissions ?)**_ What next ? Dehydrated Water ? Mr. Obvious, here. Most automatics that shift randomly are in the repair shop. **_CSA_** ---
**Author:** ![twotone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@twotone](https://community.cartalk.com/u/twotone)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/3 "2013-01-05T02:09:36Z")
They are similar to motorcycle transmissions – they can go up or down one gear at a time. BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. have been migrating them from race cars to consumer cars. Many shift in 50 msec or less, perfectly rev matching down shifts. Done right, they are a lot of fun to drive. Constantly Velocity Transmissions (CVTs) don’t have “gears” per se, but infinitely step less ratios. They try to keep the engine reving in its sweet spot to maximize efficiency. Drive a few different ones and pick what’s right for you. Reliability and cost of repair is as much of a function of how you drive, how you service your car as the design of the transmission. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/4 "2013-01-05T03:04:01Z")
I believe this is a dual-clutch transmission. You can read more at [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-clutch\_transmission](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-clutch_transmission). As twotone says, these shift much more quickly than a normal automatic transmission, so they’re good when performance is a concern. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 5:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/5 "2013-01-05T05:17:21Z")
Lion9car, is correct. It’s more like an automated manual than a traditional slushbox. There’s no torque converter either. The theory is that you don’t have the inefficiency inherent with traditional automatics (pumps, slippage, etc.) . They used to be only available on high end sports cars, but are now trickling down to more mundane vehicles. They haven’t been perfected yet and supposedly they tend to operate less smoothly at low speeds/low RPMs. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/6 "2013-01-05T22:26:04Z")
Maybe, but I don’t think this is what’s in a Ford Focus or the other mainstream cars that have manual shifting options. In my Acura, Pontiac, etc. its just a standard automatic with the ability to move the shift lever into manual mode is all. When its in manual mode, you just push the paddle or bump the gear shift and it shifts. Nothing special. CVT on the other hand is like a snowmobile transmission, and I may be wrong, but have had some issues and are expensive to repair. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/7 "2013-01-05T23:04:15Z")
@Bing It’s not standard traditional automatic > **[Ford PowerShift transmission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_PowerShift_transmission)** > > The Ford PowerShift is a six-speed dual clutch semi-automatic gearbox produced by the Ford Motor Company. The Ford PowerShift gearboxes are built by Getrag Ford Transmissions, a joint-venture with Getrag. PowerShift improves fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent when compared to a conventional automatic transmission. The operation of a dual clutch transmission is analogous to two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch, operating in parallel and alternating shifts. The Ford ... ---
**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/8 "2013-01-06T02:24:07Z")
I own a 2012 Focus with the dual clutch automated transmission, and after the firm ware update the transmission works good. I am averaging 32MPG. Things I like about the transmission are. Excellent fuel mileage. Internally it is a simple manual transmission that does not use ATF fluid. Clutches are external of the transmission just like a manual transmission and similar to replace. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513/9 "2013-01-06T03:34:24Z")
OK, I stand corrected. That’s a different animal than GM or Honda.