käigukangid

Käigukangid, commonly known as gear sticks or shift levers, are mechanical components used to change gears in a vehicle's transmission. Their primary function is to allow the driver to select different gear ratios, which in turn control the vehicle's speed and torque.

In manual transmissions, the käigukang is directly connected to the gearbox through a linkage or cable system. When the driver moves the lever, it actuates internal mechanisms within the gearbox, engaging and disengaging different sets of gears. The driver typically operates the käigukang in conjunction with the clutch pedal to smoothly transition between gears. Common shift patterns, often illustrated on a diagram on the lever knob, indicate the position for each gear, including neutral and reverse.

In automatic transmissions, the käigukang's role is different. While it still allows the driver to select drive modes (such as Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and sometimes lower gears), the actual gear changes are performed automatically by the transmission's hydraulic or electronic control system. The käigukang in an automatic transmission acts more as a selector for the transmission's operating mode rather than a direct control for gear engagement.

The design and ergonomics of käigukangid vary significantly among vehicle models, with some featuring simple, functional designs and others incorporating more aesthetic or technologically advanced elements like electronic shifters. Regardless of the type of transmission or design, the käigukang remains a fundamental interface between the driver and the vehicle's powertrain.