Xplainsit

A dual clutch transmission works just like a automatic to the user but is a completely different design. A normal automatic uses a torque converter to allow the engine to run in gear. Then all the shifting is done through planetary gear set and bands and clutches. A dual clutch works like two manual transmissions side by side. You have one transmission for the odd gears 1,3,5 and one transmission for the even gears 2,4,6. there are two clutches, one on each transmission. So when taking off from a stop they would be in 1 and second at the same time. The computer controls to clutch to get the vehicle moving and then when it decides to shift it releases the clutch for first and engaged the clutch for second. Now why in second it can shift the first transmission into 3rd and wait for its time to realese one clutch and engage the other.