# Q about auto and std transmissions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-auto-and-std-transmissions/180510>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 8, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-auto-and-std-transmissions/180510 "2003-06-08T20:43:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-auto-and-std-transmissions/180510/1 "2003-06-08T20:43:36Z")

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How come standard make whiny noises, especially when backing up, but auto transmissions do not?

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**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-auto-and-std-transmissions/180510/2 "2003-06-08T20:48:36Z")

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> **[Why does my manual transmission car make a loud whirring noise in reverse?](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/question522.htm)**
>
> Manual transmissions use mostly helical gears, but reverse is a special situation that requires a different type of gear -- a spur gear. Learn why a spur gear makes a loud whirring noise when the car's in reverse.

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**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-auto-and-std-transmissions/180510/3 "2003-06-08T21:13:46Z")

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I should know by now to check that site before I go and bog down the board with a question. Thanks Muldoon.

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**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-auto-and-std-transmissions/180510/4 "2003-06-09T12:28:27Z")

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Huh. When I see “STD transmission” I think of something entirely different. That’s probably just me.