Tutorial Menurunkan Ban Serep | #CheryKnowledge – Tiggo 8 Edition

For a driver, the gear shift lever (transmission) is like a conductor's baton in an orchestra. It functions to regulate the rhythm of engine power to match the vehicle's speed requirements. Choosing the wrong gear not only makes the car feel heavy or "roar" excessively, but can also damage engine components in the long run.

In the modern era, gear shift designs are becoming increasingly diverse. Ranging from conventional stick models and rotary knobs to electronic levers. However, regardless of the shape, the letter and number codes displayed have universal functions that must be understood for driving safety.

Here is a thorough breakdown of the code meanings on Manual and Automatic car gear shifts.

1. Manual Transmission: The Art of Managing Rotation

In manual cars, the driver has full control. The commonly used pattern is the "H-Pattern" with numbers 1-5 (or 6) and R.

• 1st Gear (Start & Steep Inclines): Has the largest torque (turning power) but low speed. Only used to start moving the car from a standstill or tackling extreme inclines.
• 2nd & 3rd Gear (Acceleration): Used to increase speed within the city (20-50 km/h).
• 4th & 5th Gear (Cruising): These gear ratios are designed for high speeds with low engine RPMs to save fuel.
• R (Reverse): Reverse gear.
• N (Neutral): The position where the engine is disconnected from the wheels. The car can be pushed. Mandatory use when stopped for a long time.

2. Automatic Transmission: Coded Convenience

Automatic cars are more popular in urban areas because they are practical. However, the row of letters on the lever often confuses beginners. Let's translate them:

Main Codes (Must Know)

• P (Park): Parking lock. The transmission is mechanically locked so the wheels cannot turn. Mandatory use when the car is parked and the engine is turned off.
  • Tip: Never shift to P while the car is still moving, as it can strip the transmission gears.
• R (Reverse): Reverse. Reverse lights and parking sensors/cameras will activate automatically.
• N (Neutral): Free gear. Used when stopping briefly (traffic lights) or when the car needs to be towed.
• D (Drive): Drive forward. This is the "set and forget" position. The car's computer will automatically regulate gear shifting from 1 onwards according to the throttle input.

Additional Codes (Special Features)

• S (Sport): Aggressive mode. Gear shifting is done at higher engine revolutions (RPM). The result is a more responsive and powerful car, but fuel consumption is slightly more wasteful.
• L / 1 (Low): Low gear locked. The car will be held in 1st gear only. Very important to use when going down steep slopes as engine braking so the brakes don't fail, or when climbing extreme hills.
• 2 / D3: Limits the transmission only up to gear 2 or 3. Suitable for moderate inclines or winding mountain roads.
• M (+/-): Manual Mode / Tiptronic. Gives the sensation of shifting gears manually on an automatic car (without a clutch).

Gear Lever Evolution: From Mechanical to Electronic

Automotive technology continues to move forward. While gear levers used to connect to the transmission using physical steel cables, modern cars now use the Shift-by-Wire system. Gear shift signals are sent electronically.

This change allows car interior designs to become more futuristic, spacious, and minimalist, as applied to the Chery vehicle line.

Modern and Sporty Style

In the Chery C5, the gear shift lever is designed with an ergonomic E-Shifter style, resembling an aircraft throttle. This design is not only aesthetic but also precise. Drivers can easily switch from D (Drive) mode to Manual mode to feel a sporty sensation while pumping adrenaline on the freeway.

Conclusion

Understanding the meaning of every letter and number on the gear shift lever is the foundation of driving safety. Using the right gear in the right situation such as using low gear (L) on sharp descents not only extends the life of transmission components but can also save lives.

Whether you are a fan of conventional sporty levers or the practicality of modern electronic levers, ensure you always operate them correctly and smoothly.

When a car passes by silently and elegantly, we often forget that thousands of small "explosions" are happening every minute under its hood. An Internal Combustion Engine essentially works by burning a mixture of gasoline and air, which produces very loud booming sounds.

Without a silencing component, your car would sound deafening, much like an old fighter jet engine. This is where the Muffler plays the role of an unsung hero.

The muffler is not just a smoke exhaust pipe. It is an acoustic engineering device designed with precision to "tame" the wild sounds of the engine into a smooth hum that is comfortable to hear. Let's dissect this vital component deeper.

What is the Main Function of a Muffler?

The muffler is located at the end of the exhaust system, right before the tailpipe visible on the rear bumper. Its function is more complex than just an air duct:

1. Noise Reduction: This is its primary function. The muffler lowers the decibel level of explosions from the combustion chamber to meet road noise regulation standards and maintain environmental comfort.
2. Regulating Back Pressure: The muffler helps create the right amount of back pressure. This pressure is important to assist engine valve performance and maintain torque (pull) at low engine RPMs so the car remains responsive during stop-and-go driving.
3. Disposing of Toxic Gases: As the final part of the exhaust, the muffler directs exhaust gases (Carbon Monoxide, etc.) to the rear of the vehicle so they do not enter the cabin and poison the passengers.

How It Works: The Art of Cancelling Sound Waves

How can a metal tube eliminate loud sounds? The answer lies in a physics principle called Destructive Interference.

Inside the muffler tube, there is an intricate labyrinth consisting of baffles, perforated pipes, and resonance chambers.

• When the sound waves of engine explosions enter the muffler, they are reflected in various directions by the walls of this labyrinth.
• This design forces sound waves to collide with one another.
• When the peak of one sound wave meets the trough (valley) of another, they cancel each other out.
• The Result? Loud sound entering one side will exit as a much quieter sound on the other side.

Types of Mufflers Based on Character

Not all mufflers are created equal. Differences in internal design will result in different sound characters and performance.

1. Chambered/Reflective Muffler (Partitioned)

This is the type used by 90% of standard factory daily cars (OEM).

• Design: Uses many partitions (baffles) and empty chambers to reflect sound as much as possible.
• Character: Very quiet. The main priority is cabin comfort.
• Performance: Creates sufficiently high back pressure, good for fuel efficiency and low-RPM torque.

2. Straight-Through/Absorptive Muffler

Often referred to as a Free Flow or Racing exhaust.

• Design: Features a straight perforated pipe in the center surrounded by sound-dampening material like glasswool or steel fibers. There are no baffles blocking the airflow.
• Character: Bass-heavy, loud, and sporty sound.
• Performance: Exhaust gas flow is very smooth (minimal resistance). Good for power at high RPMs (high speed), but often makes the car wasteful on fuel and "sluggish" at initial acceleration if the engine is still standard.

Evolution of Comfort: From Dampening to Total Silence

In modern vehicle design, automotive engineers work hard to balance engine performance and Cabin Quietness. A good muffler is key so passengers can chat without needing to shout.

You can feel this premium standard of silence in the Chery Omoda 5 (C5). The exhaust system on this crossover has been designed with high precision. Its muffler works effectively to dampen noise from its turbo engine, filtering out harsh sound frequencies, and leaving a smooth yet sporty engine sound when you accelerate.

Conclusion

The muffler is a critical component that maintains harmony between a powerful engine and driving comfort. Understanding its types helps you not to change the exhaust arbitrarily, because an exhaust that is too "open" (free flow) on a standard engine can actually lower daily performance.

Whether through advanced dampening systems in gasoline engines or exhaust-free technology in electric cars, the goal remains the same: to provide peace on every journey.

For drivers of manual cars, the leftmost pedal is a "close friend" that determines the smoothness of the ride. However, even for automatic car users, the clutch system remains a vital component working automatically beneath the hood.

We often hear terms like "worn clutch lining" or "burnt clutch smell," but what is the actual role of this component? Why can a car engine keep running when stopped, even though the wheels aren't turning? The answer lies in the Clutch system.

Let’s dissect the anatomy and working mechanism of the component that serves as the "gatekeeper" of engine power.

Primary Function of the Clutch: The Mediator

Simply put, the clutch functions as a disconnector and connector of power flow (torque) from the engine to the transmission (gears).

Imagine the car engine as a fan spinning rapidly. If you wanted to change the blades while the fan was still spinning, your hand would surely get injured. You need to turn off or disconnect its rotation for a moment, right?

That is the function of the clutch. It allows you to:

1. Change Gears: Briefly disconnect power flow so that transmission gear shifts can be done smoothly without a "grinding" noise.
2. Stop Without Killing the Engine: Separate the engine rotation from the wheels, so that at a red light, the engine remains alive (idling) even though the wheels have stopped completely.
3. Smooth Initial Start: Connect the engine's rotating power to the stationary wheels gradually so the car doesn't jerk or jump when it starts moving.

Key Components in the Clutch System

This system works thanks to friction between disc components. Here are the main players:

1. Flywheel: A heavy steel disc connected directly to the engine that spins following the engine's rotation.
2. Clutch Disc (Friction Disc): A disc coated with friction material (like brake pads). It is sandwiched between the Flywheel and the Pressure Plate. This is the part that transmits power to the transmission.
3. Pressure Plate: A cover that functions to press the Clutch Disc so it sticks firmly to the Flywheel.
4. Release Bearing: A bearing tasked with pressing the spring on the Pressure Plate when the pedal is depressed.

How It Works: Press vs. Release

The clutch mechanism works counter-intuitively to what we might think.

1. When the Clutch Pedal is Pressed (Disengaged Position)

When your foot presses the pedal:

• The release bearing presses the diaphragm spring.
• The Pressure Plate's clamp on the Clutch Disc loosens.
• Result: The Clutch Disc "floats" and does not touch the Flywheel. The engine keeps spinning, but power is NOT transmitted to the transmission/wheels. This is when you shift gears.

2. When the Clutch Pedal is Released (Engaged Position)

When your foot lifts off the pedal:

• The spring pressure locks back in.
• The Pressure Plate clamps the Clutch Disc firmly against the Flywheel.
• Result: Because it is clamped, the Clutch Disc spins along with the engine speed. Power is TRANSMITTED fully to the transmission and wheels. The car moves forward.

Technological Evolution: From Heavy Pedals to Dual Clutch (DCT)

In the modern era, pressing a heavy clutch pedal in the middle of traffic is starting to be left behind. Automotive technology has evolved towards intelligent automatic transmissions, yet they still use the basic principles of a refined clutch.

One of the peak innovations in this technology is DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission).

As the name implies, this system uses two sets of clutches working automatically:

• Clutch A: Controls odd gears (1, 3, 5, 7).
• Clutch B: Controls even gears (2, 4, 6, reverse).

When you are driving in 1st gear (Clutch A active), Clutch B is already "prepared" holding 2nd gear. When it's time to shift, the system only needs to "swap roles" in milliseconds. The result? Super fast gear shifts, smoothness, and minimal power loss.

Application in Modern Vehicles

You can experience this advanced DCT technology in the Chery Tiggo Cross Sport. This family SUV utilizes a dual-clutch transmission to provide responsive acceleration while remaining fuel-efficient, eliminating the jerking symptoms usually felt in conventional automatics.

On the other hand, the electric vehicle revolution brings a completely different paradigm. Cars like the Chery J6 no longer use a multi-gear clutch system. Its electric motor delivers instant power directly (direct drive) to the wheels through a single-speed reduction gear transmission, offering absolute smoothness with no gear shift pauses at all.

Conclusion

The clutch is a vital bridge that translates raw engine power into controlled wheel movement. Whether it's a conventional manual system, advanced Dual Clutch (DCT) technology, or a direct drive system in electric cars, the goal remains the same: to provide an efficient and comfortable driving experience.

Understanding how it works helps us drive more wisely, such as not getting used to "riding the clutch" (half-clutch) so that these vital components remain durable and car performance stays prime.