What Is The Difference Between Ford's Automatic Transmissions?

A conventional automatic transmission is a hydraulically operated system based on a torque converter and a set of planetary gears for he PowerShift transmission uses a dual clutch system; this advanced gearbox pre-selects the next gear.

A conventional automatic transmission is a hydraulically operated system based on a torque converter and a set of planetary gears. The basic principle relies on hydraulic fluid, under pressure, controlling the engagement and disengagement of the clutch and the coupling and decoupling of the gears. As the car accelerates, pressure changes in the hydraulic system forcing the transmission to shift upward through all gears in the system. The same pressure changes force downward shifting as the car slows.

The PowerShift transmission uses a dual clutch system; this advanced gearbox pre-selects the next gear for you so you don’t lose power when you change. The first clutch handles gears one, three, and five; the second clutch handles gears two, four, and six. When the car is in first gear, for example, the second clutch is disengaged even though the second-gear cogs are engaged. Shifting into second gear disengages the first clutch, engages the second clutch, and engages the gear cogs of third gear.