How Many Gears Does An 18 Wheeler Have?
An 18 wheeler, also known as a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, is a large commercial vehicle most commonly used for long-haul trucking. The number of gears that an 18 wheeler has depends on the specific model and the type of transmission.
Manual Transmissions
Most 18 wheelers use manual transmissions, and the number of gears can vary based on the model. Generally, manual transmissions will have 10, 13, or 18 gears. The 10-gear transmission is the most common, with 13 and 18 being more expensive and not as common.
Automatic Transmissions
The newest models of 18 wheelers use automatic transmissions which can have anywhere from 5 to 18 gears. Here is a breakdown of automatic transmission types and their gear numbers:
- 5-speed: This is the oldest and least common type of automatic transmission with 18 wheelers and is usually only found in very old models.
- 6-speed: This type of transmission is somewhat uncommon and usually found in slightly older models of 18 wheelers.
- 10-speed: The 10-speed automatic transmission is the most common type of automatic transmission found in 18 wheelers.
- 13-speed: This type of transmission is usually only found in high-end models of 18 wheelers.
- 18-speed: The 18-speed automatic transmission is the most advanced type of transmission with 18 wheelers and is usually reserved for special uses and custom models.
In conclusion, the number of gears a 18 wheeler has depends on the type of transmission and the model. Manual transmissions are the most common and usually have 10, 13, or 18 gears while the newer automatic transmissions can range from 5 to 18.