For many novice drivers or just curious people, the interior of the car is full of various mechanisms, the names of which are not always obvious. One of the most noticeable elements in the central part of the cabin is the mechanism protruding between the front seats, which the driver constantly holds in his hand while driving. This control plays a critical role in the operation of the vehicle, allowing control over the transmission of torque from the engine to the wheels.
In everyday life, this part is called differently, which often causes confusion when searching for spare parts or discussing technical nuances. Some call it simply a “stick,” others use the term “scenes,” and still others talk about “switching handle.” However, technically competent name is necessary to know every car owner to accurately describe the problem to the mechanic or find the necessary information in the manual.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how the lever between the seats is called correctly, what it consists of and what functions it performs. We will touch not only on the mechanics, but also on the features of modern automatic transmissions, where this element can look completely different, while maintaining its essence.
Official name and terminology
The correct technical name of the unit, which is located between the seats and serves to control the transmission, - gear-shifter. It is this term used in official documentation, spare parts catalogs and manuals for the operation of cars of any brands. Depending on the type of gearbox installed, a clarification is added to the name: for mechanics it is a lever of a manual box, for an automatic machine - a selector or a lever of mode selection.
You often hear the word “scenes”, but here lies a common mistake. koulis It is a drive mechanism that is usually located under the car’s bottom or inside the gearbox and connects the lever itself in the cabin to the transmission. What the driver holds in his hand, it is more correct to call it a lever or a switching handle, although in colloquial speech the boundaries are often blurred.
In cars with automatic transmission, this element is often called selector (from English) selector). It may take the form of a classic lever, push-button control or swivel washer, but the function remains the same - the choice of the box's mode of operation. Understanding the difference between these terms will help you to find a common language with the service center staff more quickly.
- 🚗 Switch lever The main term for mechanical and classical automatic boxes.
- ⚙️ koulis - the mechanism of traction and hinges under the car, not the handle itself in the cabin.
- 🔘 Selector - a modern name for the authorities of selection of modes in automatic transmission, variators and robots.
Design of the manual gearbox lever
The device of the lever on the "mechanics" is relatively simple, but requires accuracy in operation. The main element is a metal rod, which through a system of rods or cables is connected to the forks inside the gearbox. At the top end of the rod is fixed handle (or "fungus"), which the driver is holding directly. Inside the handle, there is often a locking mechanism to prevent the rear gear from being accidentally switched on.
In the lower part, the lever rests on a ball support or bushings, which provides the necessary swing in different directions. For the comfort of the driver, the design provides damping elements that extinguish vibrations coming from the working engine and transmission. That is why a serviceable lever should not rattle or make extraneous sounds when moving.
⚠️ Note: If the gear lever began to vibrate strongly or backlash, this may indicate wear of plastic bushings in the mechanism of the backstage. Ignoring the problem can make it difficult to turn on the speeds.
The gear shift is almost always on the handle. It can be painted, squeezed into plastic or presented in the form of a metal shild. On modern cars, the scheme is often supplemented by backlighting, which lights up along with the overall lights, allowing you to see the position in the dark.
Why can the lever warm up?
In some cars, especially rear-wheel drive, the gear lever can be appreciably heated. This is due to the fact that it is mechanically connected to the gearbox, which during operation generates heat. Also, heating can be transmitted from the exhaust system if the thermal insulation of the cabin floor is broken.
Features of the automatic transmission selector
In cars with automatic transmission (AGB), the control looks different and works according to different principles. There is no rigid mechanical connection with the gears inside the box in the usual sense. The automatic transmission selector sends an electrical signal or hydraulic pressure to the control unit, which is already making the decision to switch.
The position of the selector is indicated by Latin letters, the knowledge of which is necessary for safe driving. The main regimes include P (Parking is parking) R (Reverse) N (Neutral is neutral) and D (Drive, movement). Moving between these modes often requires pressing a special lock button on the handle to prevent accidental switching.
Modern cars offer different types of selectors. In addition to the classical lever, there are “joysticks” located on the steering column (as in many models). Mercedes-Benz or BMW), button panels on the center console (often Honda or Lincoln) and even the swivel washers, as in Jaguar or Land Rover. Despite the difference in performance, the function remains the same – control modes of operation of the transmission.
| Designation | Name of the regime | Description of function |
|---|---|---|
| P | Parking | Parking, shaft locking (engine start) |
| R | Reverse | Backing up |
| N | Neutral | Neutral, engine and wheel separation |
| D | Drive | Moving forward (automatic switching) |
Handbrake: second lever between seats
And when you talk about the levers in the central part of the cabin, you can't forget the second important element. handbrake (or "handle") In the classic version, it is also a vertical lever located to the right of the driver (or between the seats in some American and older models) that rises up to fix the car in place.
The principle of operation of the mechanical handhold is simple: raising the lever, the driver through the cable system dilutes the brake pads of the rear wheels, blocking them. The number of clicks that the mechanism emits when lifting indicates the tension of the cable. The optimal tension is considered, in which the car is reliably on a slope, but the lever rises no more than 3-5 clicks.
In modern cars, the mechanical handbrake lever is increasingly being replaced by an electronic button (see below).Electronic Parking Brake). This allows you to free up space in the cabin and add the function of automatic release of the brake at the beginning of movement. However, on many budget and older models, the classic lever is still the standard of reliability and ease of maintenance.
- 🅿️ Mechanical lever It requires periodic adjustment of the tension of the cables.
- 🔌 Electronic drive It does not require adjustment, but is difficult to repair when broken.
- 🛑 Automatic retention Auto Hold often works in tandem with an electronic handheld.
Never attempt to use the handbrake lever to drastically reduce speed at high speed unless it is an emergency with a major braking system failure. This can lead to the rear wheels blocking and the car skidding.
Additional levers and controls
In addition to the main transmission controls, other levers performing specific functions may be located between or near the seats. It's a common sight in SUVs. transfer-box, which allows you to connect all-wheel drive or include a downshift to overcome off-road.
In some models of cars, especially old or commercial, there may be a lever control of the suction valve (carburetor cars) or a lever adjusting the seat position, if it is removed sideways. Also in this area are often located cupholders, armrests and niches for trifles, which, although not levers, but form the common space of the center console.
Special attention should be paid to the levers of climate control or multimedia, if they are made in the form of physical switches. The ergonomics of their location between the seats are calculated by engineers so that the driver can reach them without taking off from the road and without being distracted from the control of the vehicle.
⚠️ Warning: Do not overload the space around the levers with foreign objects. Coins, keys or trifles that fall into the gearshift mechanism or automatic transmission selector can cause jamming of the node, which will require expensive disassembly of the console.
☑️ Checking the status of levers in the cabin
Typical malfunctions and maintenance of the mechanism
The gear lever is a part that is subject to constant mechanical influence, so malfunctions can occur over time. The most common problem is wear-out And the hinges, which leads to the emergence of backlash. The lever starts to “hang around” and the accuracy of getting into the gear decreases, which is especially noticeable when turning on the rear speed or third gear.
Another problem is the breakage of the drive cables (in cable systems) or the breakage of plastic fixtures. In this case, the lever may simply stop responding to hand movements or “knock out” the gear while moving. Automatic boxes are characterized by problems with the sensors of the position of the selector or the lock button on the handle.
Care of this node is minimal, but important. Periodically, it is worth cleaning the space around the base of the lever from dust and dirt, which can get inside the mechanism. If you notice that the lever began to walk tightly or, conversely, too freely, do not postpone a visit to the service. Timely replacement of a penny sleeve will save from more serious repair of the gearbox.
The main sign of a serviceable lever is a clear, without jamming, gear inclusion and the absence of vibrations on the handle when the engine is idling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the gear lever vibrate when idling?
The vibration of the lever on the manual transmission when the engine is idling is often normal, since the lever is rigidly connected to the rotating gears inside the box. However, if the vibration becomes excessively strong or appears jerky, it may indicate problems with engine cushions or clutch.
Can I switch the automatic transmission selector without pressing the brake?
In most modern cars with automatic transmission, a lock is installed, which does not allow the selector to be removed from the position "P" (Parking) without pressing the brake pedal. This is a safety measure that prevents the spontaneous movement of the car. If the machine is not started, you can unlock the selector through a special emergency hole next to the lever.
What if the lever is stuck and does not switch?
If the lever is jammed, do not make excessive efforts not to break the mechanism. Check whether the clutch pedal (for manual transmission) or brakes (for automatic transmission) is fully squeezed. Sometimes the problem lies in the frozen mechanism in winter or in the hit of a foreign object. If the problem is not solved by simple methods, evacuation and diagnosis in the service are required.
What is the name of a metallic plate with numbers on the lever?
This detail is called a "schild" or "switching circuit lining." It can be made of plastic, metal or simply applied paint. The nameplate shows the order of movement of the lever to enable the corresponding gears, which is especially important for boxes with a non-standard order of inclusion (for example, when the rear gear is switched on down and left, rather than up and right).