käsivaihteisia

Käsivaihteisia is a Finnish term that translates to "manual transmission" or "stick shift" in English. It refers to a type of vehicle transmission system where the driver manually selects gears using a gear lever, typically in conjunction with a clutch pedal. This system is a traditional and widely used method for changing gears in automobiles and other vehicles.

The operation of a manual transmission involves the driver disengaging the engine from the transmission by pressing the clutch pedal. This allows the driver to move the gear lever to select the desired gear. Once the gear is selected, the clutch pedal is released, re-engaging the engine with the transmission at the new gear ratio. This process is repeated as the vehicle's speed changes, requiring the driver to shift to higher gears as speed increases and lower gears as speed decreases.

Compared to automatic transmissions, manual transmissions are often considered to offer greater driver control over the vehicle's performance. They can also be more fuel-efficient in some driving conditions and are generally simpler and less expensive to manufacture and repair. However, they require more active driver engagement and can be more challenging to learn and operate, especially in heavy traffic. Despite the rise of automatic and continuously variable transmissions, manual transmissions remain a popular choice for many driving enthusiasts and in certain markets.