Automatic vs. Slushbox — What's the Difference?

Machinery that operates without manual input.

Derogatory term for a certain car feature.

Operating by itself.

Colloquial for an old automatic transmission.

A self-shifting vehicle transmission.

Informal for a less responsive gearbox.

A firearm that reloads itself after firing.

Slang for a sluggish vehicle transmission.

Acting or operating in a manner essentially independent of external influence or control

An inefficient automatic transmission.

Self-regulating

An automatic transmission (in reference to the fluid-coupling of the torque converter).

Acting or done without volition or conscious control; involuntary

Acting or done as if by machine; mechanical

Capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released

Semiautomatic

An automatic machine or device.

An automatic firearm.

A semiautomatic firearm.

A transmission or a motor vehicle with an automatic gear-shifting mechanism.

(Football) See audible.

Capable of operating without external control or intervention.

Done out of habit or without conscious thought.

Necessary, inevitable, prescribed by logic, law, etc.

(of a firearm such as a machine gun) Firing continuously as long as the trigger is pressed until ammunition is exhausted.

(of a handgun) An autoloader; a semi-automatic or self-loading pistol, as opposed to a revolver or other manually actuated handgun, which fires one shot per pull of the trigger; distinct from machine guns.

Automatically added to and removed from the stack during the course of function calls.

Having one or more finite-state automata.

A car with automatic transmission.

A semi-automatic pistol.

Having an inherent power of action or motion.

Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under fixed conditions; operating with minimal human intervention; - esp. applied to machinery or devices in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand are done by the machine or device itself; as, the automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse; an automatic transmission. The opposite of manual.

Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control; as, automatic movements or functions. The opposite of voluntary.

Like the unthinking functioning of a machine.

Light machine gun.

A pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released; as, a .45 automatic.

Light machine gun

A pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released

Operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control;

Like the unthinking functioning of a machine;

Without volition or conscious control;

A process that proceeds without intervention.

It's slang for when the transmission feels unresponsive or sluggish, like slush.

No, the term slushbox is typically reserved for older or poorly performing automatics.

No, it's informal and sometimes derogatory slang.

Automatic refers to a car's transmission that changes gears on its own.

Yes, many modern automatics are highly efficient and perform well.

Yes, including traditional torque converters, CVTs, and dual-clutch systems.

Regular fluid changes and inspections are typically recommended.

Repair costs depend on the issue, not the type of automatic transmission.

Traditional automatics do not, but some offer a manual mode for drivers who want more control.

For convenience and ease of use, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

Rarely, as it's informal and can be seen as unprofessional.

Many modern automatics have improved to eliminate this issue.

Sometimes, with modifications or upgrades, performance can be improved.

Yes, it's specifically related to car transmissions.

For many modern transmissions, yes, but the term may still be used for older models.