Drive-Train Basics

Realizing that a wide variety of people would be reading "The Transmission Page", each with varying degrees of understanding concerning automobile mechanics, I thought I would first cover the basics; Starting with a few definitions.

Drivetrain

All of the components of an automobile that are used to propel the automobile. Typically, the engine, the transmission/transaxle, the driveshaft/driveaxles,and differential and axles.

Transmission

A transmission is a portion of the drivetrain that multiplies torque from the engine and transmits that power to the differential. It also must "connect" and "disconnect" the engine from the differential, allowing the car to "stop" while the engine remains running.

Torque-converter

This component is used in an automatic transmission, providing the "connect/disconnect" feature needed to allow the engine to remain running while the automobile is stopped, much like a clutch in a stick-shift transmission does. It also provides torque multiplication, similar to a gear reduction.

Clutch

This component is used in a Standard (Stick-Shift) Transmission to "connect/disconnect" similar to a torque converter.

Differential

This component of the drivetrain is used to multiply torque from the transmission and "divide" that torque between the two drive wheels. It is frequently referred to as "The Rear-end", or "The Third-member".

I know this is a very basic page, but I had to start somewhere!
This page last updated 6/30/96.