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How do I know what kind of transmission I have?

I’ve just gotten my very first car and I’m trying to research how to take care of it—I want it to last a long time. I keep seeing mentions of “automatic” and “manual” transmissions, but I don’t know what the difference is. How do I tell which kind I have?

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Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! If you’re not sure, there’s a good chance that you have an automatic transmission—that’s the more common type of transmission nowadays.
The terms refer to the manner in which your transmission shifts gears—does it do so automatically when a certain RPM is hit? Or do you need to manually shift the gears using a clutch peddle and shifter? You’ve probably heard manual transmissions referred to as “stick” or “stick-shift cars.”
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