A commercial push-button-based electronic shift selector made by Allison Transmission

Shift-by-wire is the system on an automatic transmission in which the transmission modes are engaged/changed in an automobile through electronic controls without any mechanical linkage between the gear shifting lever and the transmission. The transmission shifting was traditionally accomplished by mechanical links through a lever mounted on the steering column or a gear shifter near the center console.

This eliminates routing space required for housing the mechanical linkages between the shifter and the transmission and provides effortless shifting through the press of a button or through knobs. The elimination of this linkage removes any shift effort from the driver’s gear selection.

Safety recalls related to shift-by-wire systems

There have been safety issues identified with production vehicles implementing the shift by wire systems which have led to recalls.[1] The major hazards associated with this type of systems are vehicle not achieving park state and vehicle moving in the wrong direction (drive vs reverse).

See also

References

  1. ^ "Keeping You Safe | Safercar | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)". www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov. Retrieved 2016-07-12.