Dual Clutch Transmission - Manual or Auto?
Discussion
It's insurance renewal time and upon inspecting my renewal letter I noticed the car is listed as a manual. However, the car is equipped with a DCT (Dual Clutch) automatic.
I have put my details into a few of the usual comparison sites and all of them say my car is a manual after entering my reg. Even the V5 for the car states it's a manual.
I'm not actually sure which category the car belongs in. Technically speaking it's an automated manual.
I thought it may be a common question but a google search just reveals the usual lengthy forum arguments about who has the best transmission.
So two questions;
1) Is a DCT manual or auto?
and
2) If it is actually an auto then how do I go about setting the DVLA straight?
I have put my details into a few of the usual comparison sites and all of them say my car is a manual after entering my reg. Even the V5 for the car states it's a manual.
I'm not actually sure which category the car belongs in. Technically speaking it's an automated manual.
I thought it may be a common question but a google search just reveals the usual lengthy forum arguments about who has the best transmission.
So two questions;
1) Is a DCT manual or auto?
and
2) If it is actually an auto then how do I go about setting the DVLA straight?
My V5 says my car is a semi - automatic and my car is a manual. I guess the importer made a mistake when registering the VIN details with DVLA. It wasn't a dealer mistake as there is a batch of Sciroccos all the same from different dealers plus the dealer showed me the paperwork they used to register when I blamed them. CO2 figure is for a manual andis correct.
Just means I select car manually ( no pun intended) on insurance sites.
I did think about contacting DVLA to fix it but then I saw sense and decided not too as life is too short.
Just means I select car manually ( no pun intended) on insurance sites.
I did think about contacting DVLA to fix it but then I saw sense and decided not too as life is too short.
Whether or not a car has a torque converter is not the test of whether or not its transmission is automatic.
An automatic transmission may also be of other types including CVT, or an epicyclic gearbox connected by a fluid flywheel which does not have the torque-multiplying effect of a hydraulic torque converter.
DSG as fitted to VW group road cars can be (and generally is) driven with the transmission making all its own gearchanges and engaging / disengaging drive when the car moves off from stationary and comes to a halt. It is automatic transmission.
CarAbuser: I would be less concerned about the DVLA having it wrong (that happens a LOT) than I would be about your insurer having it wrong. I think you should call them and make sure they understand that your car is DSG, was DSG when it came new from the factory, and that they have noted it on your file. If its gets written off you don't want to be in any silly arguments about undeclared modifications, or valuation being for a manual replacement car.
An automatic transmission may also be of other types including CVT, or an epicyclic gearbox connected by a fluid flywheel which does not have the torque-multiplying effect of a hydraulic torque converter.
DSG as fitted to VW group road cars can be (and generally is) driven with the transmission making all its own gearchanges and engaging / disengaging drive when the car moves off from stationary and comes to a halt. It is automatic transmission.
CarAbuser: I would be less concerned about the DVLA having it wrong (that happens a LOT) than I would be about your insurer having it wrong. I think you should call them and make sure they understand that your car is DSG, was DSG when it came new from the factory, and that they have noted it on your file. If its gets written off you don't want to be in any silly arguments about undeclared modifications, or valuation being for a manual replacement car.
Edited by Lowtimer on Saturday 13th September 09:20
The clue's kinda in the name.Exactly what I expected with the replies. Not really clear cut. I hold the belief it's an automatic because I don't have to change gear myself but I know it's hard to stick all transmission in just two categories.
You've got your CVTs, Torque converters, traditional manuals, SMG style thingies, dual-clutch, sequential (dog box) and I'm sure many others I'm unaware of.
I'll discuss it with the insurer to be safe.
You've got your CVTs, Torque converters, traditional manuals, SMG style thingies, dual-clutch, sequential (dog box) and I'm sure many others I'm unaware of.
I'll discuss it with the insurer to be safe.
It's really a case of the pace of modern tech outstripping the old regulatory frameworks!
As mentioned, as long as you tell your insurers exactly what the car you are driving is, and that it is unmodified from it's factory specification, i can't see there being an issue, how ever they happen to describe the transmission.
From a driver licencing perspective, the car is "automatic" if the driver doesn't have to operate a clutch pedal. (ie you simply select a gear or drive, depress the accelerator and the car takes care of pulling away. Frankly, unless you have a relevant physical disability, then someone who can't manage to operate a clutch pedal shouldn't be driving imo, it's not like it's difficult now is it.......
As mentioned, as long as you tell your insurers exactly what the car you are driving is, and that it is unmodified from it's factory specification, i can't see there being an issue, how ever they happen to describe the transmission.
From a driver licencing perspective, the car is "automatic" if the driver doesn't have to operate a clutch pedal. (ie you simply select a gear or drive, depress the accelerator and the car takes care of pulling away. Frankly, unless you have a relevant physical disability, then someone who can't manage to operate a clutch pedal shouldn't be driving imo, it's not like it's difficult now is it.......
NateWM said:
No torque converter, it is a manual.
No. It doesn't matter whether it has a torque converter or twin clutches or 10 clutches or a family of small rodents in there changing gear for you, if it doesn't have a clutch pedal and it changes gear automatically, it's an automatic.
TheHound said:
It is an automated MANUAL!
therefore a Manual gearbox, however on mine Direct Line class it as a auto for insurance purposes.
But it has no driver operated clutch therefore it is an automatic.therefore a Manual gearbox, however on mine Direct Line class it as a auto for insurance purposes.
6.08 VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
A vehicle with automatic transmission is defined in regulations as `A vehicle in which the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels can be varied only by the use of the accelerator or brakes'. In general a vehicle without a manual clutch is regarded as an automatic.
Taken from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
So the OP's registration document is incorrect, although it shouldn't affect his insurance as long as the insurance company have the correct details.
TheHound said:
It is an automated MANUAL!
therefore a Manual gearbox, however on mine Direct Line class it as a auto for insurance purposes.
It just isn't a Manual gearbox in yours whatever you say because my E9x M3 was a manual because it had three pedals and yours only has two pedals so its an auto.(a very good one none the less)therefore a Manual gearbox, however on mine Direct Line class it as a auto for insurance purposes.
My V5 says my car is a semi - automatic and my car is a manual. I guess the importer made a mistake when registering the VIN details with DVLA. It wasn't a dealer mistake as there is a batch of Sciroccos all the same from different dealers plus the dealer showed me the paperwork they used to register when I blamed them. CO2 figure is for a manual andis correct.
Just means I select car manually ( no pun intended) on insurance sites.
I did think about contacting DVLA to fix it but then I saw sense and decided not too as life is too short.
Just means I select car manually ( no pun intended) on insurance sites.
I did think about contacting DVLA to fix it but then I saw sense and decided not too as life is too short.
Dan-P said:
But it has no driver operated clutch therefore it is an automatic.
6.08 VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
A vehicle with automatic transmission is defined in regulations as `A vehicle in which the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels can be varied only by the use of the accelerator or brakes'. In general a vehicle without a manual clutch is regarded as an automatic.
Taken from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
So the OP's registration document is incorrect, although it shouldn't affect his insurance as long as the insurance company have the correct details.
But if it has flappy paddles or even a DSG-style stick you CAN select gears manually other than the brake or accelerator which according to that definition quoted makes it a manual.6.08 VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
A vehicle with automatic transmission is defined in regulations as `A vehicle in which the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels can be varied only by the use of the accelerator or brakes'. In general a vehicle without a manual clutch is regarded as an automatic.
Taken from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
So the OP's registration document is incorrect, although it shouldn't affect his insurance as long as the insurance company have the correct details.
Don't be daft. If that were a meaningful definition then every slushmatic from the last 50 years with a PRND-2-1 or similar selector gate would be a manual: you would not be able to get into court for all the people with auto-only licences getting busted. "Government document talks b
ks" is sadly not entirely unheard of.
ks" is sadly not entirely unheard of.Edited by Lowtimer on Saturday 13th September 18:48
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