Posted on 7/25/2025
When shopping for a new vehicle or learning more about your current one, you might notice manufacturers boasting about cars with six, eight, or even ten-speed transmissions. The idea of “more gears” often suggests advanced technology and improved performance, but does it actually mean better fuel economy? Understanding how transmission gears work will help you see the connection and limitations between gear count and fuel efficiency. How Transmission Gears Work A transmission controls how power from your engine is delivered to the wheels. Gears allow your engine to operate efficiently at different speeds and loads. Lower gears provide more torque for acceleration and climbing, while higher gears let the engine run at lower RPMs during cruising, which saves fuel. An automatic or manual transmission with more gears has a wider range of options for matching engine power to driving conditions. In theory, this should lead to smoother shifts and better efficie ... read more