Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

The Differences Between CVT, ZF, and DSG Automatic Gearboxes

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Transmission

In this video, a mechatronic explains the differences between various types of automatic gearboxes: the CVT is continuously variable and is found in Toyota, Lexus, and Nissan vehicles. It does not have true gears but uses a metal belt on two pulleys that expand and contract. It is smooth, comfortable, and has low fuel consumption. However, it is not suitable for sporty driving. The ZF is the classic automatic gearbox with a torque converter, found in BMW, Audi, Alfa, and Jeep. It has real gears, a torque converter, and internal clutches. It is super reliable, balanced, and offers both comfort and performance, but requires careful maintenance. A fluid change every 60,000 km will ensure it lasts a lifetime. The DSG is the dual-clutch gearbox fitted to Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, and Skoda. It has two clutches, one for even gears and one for odd gears, allowing it to change gears in half a second. It is quick and sporty but struggles in traffic and can be very expensive to repair if it breaks.

Posted on 24 February 2026 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

How to choose the right lubricant for your gearbox
How to choose the right lubricant for your gearbox
(Various brands) Various Choosing the right oil for your gearbox is a really difficult thing, but this video comes to our aid, giving us some useful advice: starting from mot…
How to access the "kickdown" function on the automatic transmission
How to access the "kickdown" function on the automatic transmission
(Various brands) Various In this video we are going to discover a very useful function that exists on all automatic transmissions, and that can be really useful in terms of b…
How a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Works
How a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Works
(Various brands) Various The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) does not use gears but instead employs movable pulleys connected by a belt; one is connected to the cran…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Open a Stuck Boot on the Peugeot 407?

On the Peugeot 407, the boot may become stuck, possibly due to a problem with the control button or the lock actuator. In such cases, you can perform an emergency opening by following the simple procedure shown in this tutorial. First, open the rear doors, then lower the seat back by operating the release lever. Next, go inside the boot, locate the lock, and manually operate it using a flathead screwdriver. The boot will then be free to open.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos