There are a few varieties of transmission types found in most modern vehicles:

Automatic transmissions
The most common type of vehicle transmission for cars is the automatic transmission which automatically selects the correct gear for the driving conditions. The driver simply needs to put the car in “D” and no other interaction is needed. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, regular maintenance is a must. Automatic transmissions are very complex and also utilize a torque converter.

Manual transmissions
Also known as a standard transmission or manual gearbox or simply “stick,” manual transmission vehicles are a relative minority in modern American vehicles. Manual transmissions rely on the driver to select and switch gears constantly. Manual transmissions are typically equipped with a clutch pedal that’s required for the driver to be able to switch between gears. Standard transmission maintenance service will include changing the transmission filter and transmission fluid, as well as inspections of the transmission pan and pan gasket, to ensure there are no fluid leaks.

Continuously variable transmissions (CVT)
A good number of cars and sport utility vehicles now come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) instead of a conventional automatic. A conventional automatic transmission uses a complex series of gears to send the engine’s power to the wheels. But a CVT has no gears at all. Moreover, they deliver increased fuel efficiency when compared to traditional automatic transmissions. CVTs are most commonly used in Mitsubishi, Nissan and Subaru cars and sport utility vehicles. Honda and Toyota are now including them in a wider range of models as well.