When most people think of a gate, they think of a physical barrier that is used to keep people or animals in (or out). In the context of a car, a gate is usually an electronic device that controls the flow of fluid between different parts of the vehicle. The term gated manual refers to a type of transmission that uses gates to control the movement of gears. This type of transmission is often found in high-performance cars because it allows for precise shifting and can handle large amounts of power.