AUTO GEAR SHIFT (AGS) TECHNOLOGY OR AUTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION (AMT) OR
EZ DRIVE TRANSMISSION
How much we all wish that we don’t have to press clutch a million times while driving in bumper
to bumper traffic of cities like Mumbai. And we all know that Automatics are expensive and not as
efficient or cost-effective as Manual Transmission, Guess what….now there is one more choice,
Auto Gear Shift, a transmission that has eliminated the need for a clutch. Maruti Suzuki’s new
transmission for easy driving.
It’s not an Automatic and it’s not a Manual. It is Suzuki’s Automated Manual Transmission
or AMT.
It is a Clutchless transmission which is almost the same as the manual transmission. But
in this case, the clutch operation is automated.
HOW DOES THE GEAR SHIFTS HAPPEN IN AUTO GEAR SHIFT OR EZ DRIVE
TRANSMISSION?
In an AMT gearbox (Automatic-manual transmission) there is an electronically monitored sensor
that upshifts or downshifts the gears based on engine’s RPM. Instead of having to press a clutch
in a regular 5-speed transmission, the clutch and gear assemblies have an Electro-Hydraulic
Shift Actuator module. This module operates clutch and shifts gears sequentially.
Smoother Gear Shift by Intelligent Shift Control Actuator

Electro-hydraulic mechanism

Integrated with Controller

Directly mounted on Transmission

Synchronized control with engine
WHICH ARE THE MODES IN AUTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION?
The Gear selector has three drive modes:

Reverse Mode

Neutral Mode

Drive & Manual Mode
The R or Reverse mode is for taking the car backward and N or Neutral mode is used while
bringing the car to a stop. In Drive Mode, there is no need to Gear Shift just like an Automatic
Transmission and in Manual Mode, you can shift gears at will just like in Manual Transmission.
This is one of the best advantages of AGS technology wherein you can easily switch between
Manual and Automatic mode.
HOW TO DRIVE A CAR WITH AUTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION OR EZ DRIVE?
The gear lever is to be in the N mode as you start the car and the brake pedal is to be pressed
before firing the engine. To ensure safety, if the brake pedal is not pressed and the car is not in N
mode, the car will not start. Once the engine fires put the gear lever in the D mode and release
the brake. The car will now start moving at a very slow speed. This is called the Creep function.
With this function, there is no risk of stalling the car as it allows for crawling in very slow moving
traffic.
The car will pick up speed as you gradually step on the accelerator pedal. Pressing the brake will
reduce the speed and the gears will shift down automatically until the car comes to a complete
stop. The R model is basically reverse mode and the car will move backward in a single gear. To
bring the car to a stop, shift the lever to the N mode, switch off the engine, and engage the
parking brake.
The driver can constantly keep a watch on which mode or gear the car is in by looking at the
Gear change Indicator on Instrument Panel of Maruti Suzuki cars.
WHICH TRANSMISSION IS MORE FUEL EFFICIENT; MANUAL, AUTOMATIC OR AUTO
MANUAL?
Auto Manual Transmission cars tend to perform better on the mileage front as there is no human
intervention on the gearbox. Perfectly timed shifts allow for fuel economy of 23.1 km/lt in Maruti
Suzuki cars. Such high uncompromised mileage is possible as there are no transmission losses
due to slippage like a regular torque converter Automatic Transmission. Thus transmission with
Auto Gear Shift technology gives the best in car fuel efficiency.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AUTO GEAR SHIFT TECHNOLOGY OR AUTO MANUAL
TRANSMISSION?
Blends the best of both, automatic and manual transmission
The revolutionary Auto Gear Shift Technology lets you switch between Automatic and Manual
Mode on the drive.
More ease of driving, ideal for congested city driving
The Auto Gear Shift or Ez Drive transmission is easy and fun to Drive. This is due to freedom
from operating the clutch lever thereby reducing stress and effort of driving in heavy city traffic.
Thus giving you maximum ease and comfort while driving.
Better fuel efficiency, better mileage
Due to minimum transmission losses, there is very low fuel consumption in Auto Manual
Transmission. This gives us better mileage than an automatic transmission.
Reasonable price, affordable technology
Auto Gear Shift technology comes at a lower cost than an automatic transmission. Therefore
AGS Technology-equipped Maruti Suzuki cars are very affordable.
Smooth gear shift operation, Smooth Gear Change
Gear Shift happens electronically with the help of Intelligent Shift Control Actuator.
IN 2014, MARUTI SUZUKI INTRODUCED THE INNOVATIVE AUTO GEAR SHIFT IN THEIR
RANGE OF PREMIUM CARS.

The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India is targeting to sell 3 lakh units of vehicles
equipped with different automatic transmission technologies by 2020.

The company currently sells around 94,000 units per annum of vehicles with AGS (automated gear
shift), AT (automatic) and CVT (continuously variable transmission).

It is counting on the more affordable AGS technology to drive sales growth of cars with automatic
transmission
At present, Maruti Suzuki offers AGS Technology in the following car models: Celerio, Celerio
X, Wagon R, Dzire, Swift, IGNIS, Alto K10, and Vitara Brezza. Experience a whole new world of
technology with Maruti Suzuki
Manual transmission makes your drive more engaging and fun while automatic transmission
gives you peace of mind in traffic. Those of you looking for an automatic to drive in the city but
didn’t want to miss out on the control you get with driving manual transmission
Buying an automatic car used to be more a matter of prestige than convenience.
Automatic Transmission was synonymous with big price tagged cars, a technology
that was enjoyed more by the chauffeurs of such cars than their suave masters.
Thanks to the ever-evolving field of mechanics, the situations have changed for
good. Today, one can freely opt for an automatic in a car as humble as the Tata
Nano, or for that matter, the beloved family car of India- Maruti Suzuki Alto, and
while on cards automatic does mean freedom from shifting gears and the third
peddle, these cars are diverse in every way that they bring about this effect.
Every automatic transmission works on a set of mechanisms that finally give them
different fuel efficiency figures, the smoothness in gearshifts and the kind of driving
experience they provide. We steer you out of indecipherable acronyms and help
you make an informed choice while looking for an automatic transmission in your
next vehicle…
Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
Pretty much as the name suggests, an Automated Manual Transmission is not
really an automatic or a clutch-less system after all. Its much rather a manual
gearbox that facilitates gear shifting without the ado of pressing the clutch. A
hydraulic actuator system and an electronic control unit, work in conjunction to
simply engage and disengage the clutch while shifting the gears. That’s pretty
much it- simple, cheap and efficient- and you have the reason why it’s making so
much noise in the budget segment of cars.
AMT cars- Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Alto k10, Swift Dzire, Mahindra TUV300.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Coming from Automated Manual Transmission, the Continuously Variable
Transmission unit is a giant leap towards a completely automatic system. While
regular transmission units have a fixed number of gear-speed ratios that need to be
worked up to keep accelerating, the CVT system consists of a single unique gear
that can change through a continuous range of effective gear ratios, responding
only to the throttle response. A new set of gear-speed ratio keeps your ride pliant to
the kind of response you anticipate while going down on the pedal. Though not the
best kind of automatic transmission available in the market, it is the one that is
more widely acclaimed, with a similar technology popular amongst the new age
automatic two wheelers such as the Honda Activa.
CVT cars- Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Nissan Micra, Honda Jazz and the Honda City.
Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) Transmission
DSGs are what you get when you opt for a Volkswagen or a car from the same
bandwagon (pun intended!). DSGs are more evolved CVTs that additionally boasts
of dual clutches over the traditional single clutch systems of the CVTs. Using a pair
of clutches means that as one clutch disengages a gear, the other one engages the
next at the same time, effectively eliminating the time spent in neutral between
changing gears. Dual clutches also make it more fuel efficient than their manual
counterparts, something not many automatics can boast off. Volkswagen DSGs are
well planned out units and since the same tech is used over a variety of engine
options for different cars, the level of refinement attained in real world
performances are second to none.
DSG cars- Volkwagen Polo, Volkwagen Vento, Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda
Octavia and the Skoda Superb.
AMT-Automated Manual Transmission is the automation of the conventional manual
transmission system. There is no big change in terms of design, basic principles in AMT
as compared to manual transmission. AMT only eliminates driver’s effort for operation
of clutch and gear shifting-selection as both are done automatically. In AMT, clutch and
gear shifter-selector mechanism is operated by a hydraulically operated kit which is
controlled by TCU-Transmission Control Unit (having a calibrated program installed in
it). Note that, Shift shocks felt in manual transmissions are not eliminated in AMT. AMT
provides a limited gear ratios i.e. 4/5/6 speed similar to manual transmission.
Coming to the CVT- Continuous Variable Transmission, it replaces the gears with two
variable-diameter pulleys, each shaped like a pair of opposing cones, with a metal belt or
chain running between them. One pulley is connected to the engine (input shaft) and the
other to the drive wheels (output shaft). The halves of each pulley are movable; as the
pulley halves come closer together the belt is forced to ride higher on the pulley,
effectively making the pulley's diameter larger.
CVT provides a stepless, smooth driving experience as compared to AMT.
In CVT engine is always operated at a favorable speed that gives best engine efficiency,
whereas AMT engine is not continuously operated at a speed that gives out the best
efficiency. Also in AMT there is a drop in driving force during the gear shifting period
that results into an unpleasant driving experience.
AMT
Automated Manual Transmission is not really an automatic or a clutch-less system after
all. Its much rather a manual gearbox that facilitates gear shifting without the ado of
pressing the clutch. A hydraulic actuator system and an electronic control unit, work in
conjunction to simply engage and disengage the clutch while shifting the gears. That’s
pretty much it- simple, cheap and efficient- and you have the reason why it’s making so
much noise in the budget segment of cars.
CVT
Continuously Variable Transmission unit is a giant leap towards a completely automatic
system. While regular transmission units have a fixed number of gear-speed ratios that
need to be worked up to keep accelerating, the CVT system consists of a single unique
gear that can change through a continuous range of effective gear ratios, responding only
to the throttle response. A new set of gear-speed ratio keeps your ride pliant to the kind
of response you anticipate while going down on the pedal.
DSG
DSGs are more evolved CVTs that additionally boasts of dual clutches over the
traditional single clutch systems of the CVTs. Using a pair of clutches means that as one
clutch disengages a gear, the other one engages the next at the same time, effectively
eliminating the time spent in neutral between changing gears. Dual clutches also make it
more fuel efficient than their manual counterparts, something not many automatics can
boast off.
Automatic transmission Basics :
An automatic transmission or automatic gearbox is a type of motor vehicle transmission which
automatically changes gear ratios while the vehicle is moving thus reducing the driver’s effort to
shift gears manually. Like other transmission systems seen on other vehicles automatic
transmission allows IC Engine to run at relatively high speed to provide a range of speed and
torque outputs necessary for the travel of vehicle. The number of forward gear ratios is often
expressed for MT as well.(for eg: 5 speed manual if 5 forward gears, 6 speed manual if 6 forward
gears).
We take a two similar models of car one with manual and other with automatic gearbox. If we
enter the cabin of the automatic transmission car we will see mainly 2 changes. The changes are
that there will be no clutch pedal and no gear shift. Once the transmission of the car is put to the
Drive mode ( commonly known as D) , everything else is automatic.
Automatic cars are good for peoples who are learning to drive, and for old peoples who may
have problem in keeping in mind clutch and gear as it neglects the tension of changing gears and
the absence of clutch pedal.
Types of Automatic transmissions:
Commonly used auto transmissions in cars include the following types:
1. Automated Manual Transmission(AMT):
The Automated Manual Transmission(AMT) is also referred to Semi-Automatic Transmission or
as AMT is not fully automatic or clutch-less transmission/gearbox. It do have the Clutch. But it is
the same manual transmission that eliminates the effort of the driver to change gear and changes
gear.
This kind of transmission unit’s mechanism involves the use of two key parts. A hydraulic
actuator system and an electronic control unit (ECU) that engages and disengages the clutch
while executing gear shifts. Basically it is just same as a kit that can be added to any regular
manual transmission. That’s why car makers use it on some low cost cars because this type of
auto gearbox is very cost effective and is relatively cheaper than the other auto transmission.
Advantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fuel efficiency is close to their manual sibling cars.
Mileage is great over the other ones.
Low maintenance.
Cheaper than conventional/fully automatic gearbox. This is the reason why the car makers are
putting it in entry level cars and small cars.
Disadvantages:
1. It is not best. The cons may be easily seen while driving on hills or on slope. For cost saving Hill
Hold Assist or Auto release functions are not available in AMTs cars.
2. No smoothness like a automatic cars should have.
3. Jerky shifts if you drive aggressively.
4. Not for enthusiasts who want a pure automatic car experience.
2. Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT):
The Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) is different from the AMTs. It is a transmission
that can change seamlessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum
and minimum values. The CVT’s are clutch-less gearboxes. As said CVT does not require clutch
but in some applications a centrifugal clutch is added to ease neutral stance. Therefore useful of
idling or manually reversing while parking. CVT has no gears.
It consists of a belt which rotates and slides between two tapered drums(just like that of wheat
grinding machine’s motor belt).As you accelerate the vehicle, the belt starts rotating on the
drums and sliding on the drums at the same time from one side to another thus having a varying
slide all the time. This slide decides the driver to driven ratio of torque which further varies the
speed of vehicle.
It delivers a constant, step-less acceleration from a complete stop to cruising speed. Again with
the ability it provides to set the operating point, engine can be run to provide the maximum fuel
efficiency or maximum performance.
Advantages:
1. Weight of the vehicle reduces.
2. Smooth operation of transmission.
3. Since there is no repetitive engagement and disengagement of the power from the engine the
efficiency of the engine is increased.
4. Quick Acceleration.
Disadvantages:
1. There is an initial slip in the transmission belt which may effect the performance and life of the
belt.
2. There will be a speed limit.
3. The cost of CVT is high as compared to AMTs. This is the reasons why car makers are not putting
in entry level hatchbacks and small cars.
4. The cost if transmission belt in this case high.
3. Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT):
A Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) works on similar principles of an AMT. But a DCT gearbox,
uses two clutches instead of one. One each for odd and even gear sets that makes it more efficient
gearbox than an AMT. To simply put it a DCT gearbox is more like two manual gearboxes
contained into one single housing.
This works like so: one clutch has an odd number gear engaged, while the computer figures out
which even number gear you will need next. It has the second clutch ready to engage that gear
and simply switch clutches when the time is right. Like any standard automatic gearbox, a DCT
unit also comes with a simple P,R,N,and D gear selector and no clutch pedal, shifting gears on
its own, or can be manually controlled, via paddle shifters or a separate gate on the gear
selector.
This type of transmission is not used on normal cars. It doesn’t means like that , it can be used on
all cars but it is only used where performance is being sleeked.
Advantages:
1. Even with automatic engagement and disengagement of clutch, drivers can tell computers when
to take action with the help of paddles or gearshift.
2. It provides smooth acceleration by avoiding torque shifts or gear shift shocks that are usually
experienced in a car with manual transmission.
3. Fuel economy can be improved dramatically by up to 10%.
4. Can handle high torque demands of high performance cars.
5. They can switch gears far faster than most drivers can hand shift.
Disadvantages:
1. Complexity as compared to above ones.
2. Fuel efficiency is lower as compared to other ones.
3. Not as reliable as wear and tear is more in this application.
4. Automatic Transmission (AT):
An Automatic Transmission also referred as AT / full auto gearbox is a completely automated
gearbox that can self-change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to
shift gears manually. An automatic gearbox uses three main components – fluid/hydraulic
coupling, planetary gears train and hydraulic controls.
A fluid/hydraulic coupling function quite similar to what a clutch does in a manual gearbox,
which changes gear by locking and unlocking a system of planetary gears. Torque Converter is a
commonly known hydraulic coupling or fluid coupling used in number cars with powerful
engines.
The second important part of an automatic gearbox is Planetary Gears Train, a system that that
provide the various gear ratios, altering the speed of rotation of the output shaft depending on
which planetary gears are locked.
The third important component used in an automatic gearbox is hydraulic control. It acts quite
similar to a fluid coupling but it is typically a gear pump mounted between the torque converter
and the planetary gear-set and controls various clutches and bands modifying the speed of the
output depending on the vehicle’s running condition.
Advantages:
1. Enthusiasts will appreciate this gearbox. This gearbox’s gives great driving pleasure than semi
automatics and other ones.
2. Fully automatic means reduced effort of driver and more features available to the driver to
handle the car.
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive gearbox. Not equipped with low price cars.
2. Fully automatic gearbox means complexity.