When the Geo Metro first came out, it featured a manual transmission. Over the years when higher trims were introduced the automatic transmission was offered. The automatic transmission also became an option for the base entry level. Options were provided but not that much. The transmission is a drivetrain component in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle that features internal gears, which enable the vehicle to travel at different speeds on the road when the engine is turning at the same rpm.

For instance, at 2500 rpm in 1st gear, a vehicle may be traveling at 10 mph, but at 2500 rpm in 4th gear, it may be traveling at 60 mph. Manual transmissions require the driver to shift gears as needed. Automatic transmissions upshift and downshift without driver input, according to prescribed parameters, although most can be shifted manually, to a certain point. It is possible to change transmission gears to alter the speed at which a vehicle travels in a certain gear. It also is possible to improve the performance of an automatic transmission by installing a shift kit.