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Drive Train Transmission
February 19, 2006
Drive Train Transmission
The term drive train usually refers to the major components that
produce and transmit the power needed to propel your vehicle. Typically
this includes the engine, transmission and rear end assembly. For
many years automobiles for the most part featured front mounted engines
connected to transmissions which were located under the car between
the dashboard and the front seat. Then, by means of a driveshaft,
the engine’s rotational power is transmitted to a differential
or rear end located in the trunk area.
How about your car? Wonder if your car or truck is front or rear
wheel drive? For the most part, trucks, vans and large cars with
big engines will have rear-wheel drive. Smaller, economy and compact
cars are usually front-wheel drive.
Here’s how to find out for sure…after opening the hood,
locate the front of the engine…it’s where all the belts
are situated. If the front of the engine is by the fender (side of
the car) yours is a front-wheel drive vehicle. If the belt part is
at the radiator/grill, you have rear wheel drive. Another way to
tell is to look under the car near each front wheel. If you see an
axle with a rubber boot (called the CV boot) on either end going
into the wheel, then you have front-wheel drive. Finally, you can
also look under the car between the rear wheels. If you see a large,
round metal object, (called the differential) with two axles coming
out either side, you have rear-wheel drive.
There are many vehicles on the road today...in this the age of SUVs… where
both front and rear wheel drive is used to transmit power to the
wheels. This combination generally provides better traction…especially
for off-roading. Generally 4 wheel drive vehicles are heavier, have
more components, are less fuel efficient and can be more expensive
to repair. Then too, there is another engine configuration – this
one involving rear-engined cars driving the rear wheels…notable
among them is Porsche (and other exotic imports) and the early Volkswagen
Beetles.
From a maintenance standpoint each of the components in the drive
train is built upon the interaction of metal on metal. Thus, it’s
subject to wear and as a result has a maintenance regimen prescribed
by the manufacturer. In addition to engine motor oil and filter changes
(click on Oil & Filter Service on the left side of this page
to learn more about this subject), transmissions and differentials
(or “rear ends”) also contain lubricants which should
be periodically checked for fluid level and occasional drained and
replaced. In addition, some transmissions have screens designed to
attract the small metal particles that separate from the transmission’s
gears. These particles are captured by the screen where they are
kept from floating around in the transmission fluid where they could
damage the working parts of the transmission.
In order to insure your drive train performs properly and achieves
its intended design life, we strongly recommend you follow the manufacturer’s
maintenance recommendations. Many times however Owner’s Manuals
are lost and thus you’re not sure when various checks need
to be made. In that case, stop by Dallas Auto Sports. We’ll
set up a schedule for you. And by all means come see us if you notice
puddles of lubricant or anti-freeze under your car. Failure to heed
these warning signals could result in costly damage to the affected
parts…and leave you stranded.
To set up your personalized maintenance schedule call us for an appointment…214.320.2228.
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