Posted on 8/29/2025
Modern vehicles are constantly evolving, and one of the most noticeable changes in recent years is the number of gears in automatic transmissions. Decades ago, 3- or 4-speed transmissions were common. Now, it’s not unusual to see vehicles with 8, 9, or even 10 speeds. Some car owners are left wondering: does more always mean better? Let’s explore why transmission gear counts have increased, how they impact performance, and whether having more gears always benefits your drive. How Do More Gears Actually Help A transmission’s job is to manage power delivery from the engine to the wheels. It utilizes different gears to maintain the engine's optimal speed—whether you're accelerating, cruising on the highway, or climbing a hill. More gears allow the engine to stay closer to its optimal RPM range more of the time. That can lead to smoother shifts, better fuel economy, and improved acceleration. For example, a 10-speed transmission can make ... read more