Drivetrains: What They Are and How They Work

How does a drivetrain work? There are many essential parts of a car, and it’s one of them. In fact, the drivetrain is one of the most important parts that enables the vehicle to drive on the road. But what is a drivetrain on a car, and why do drivers need to know what it is? It is important to understand the drivetrain so you don’t encounter any problems while driving since it connects to many essential pieces of the car. In this blog, we explain what drivetrains are and how they work.

What is the Drivetrain?

The drivetrain is the system of parts that sits underneath the vehicle’s frame. It is responsible for connecting the wheels to the engine and is made up of many parts. The wheels, CV joints, axles, driveshaft, transmission, and differentials are all drivetrain components that propel a vehicle. It is the linchpin that combines these parts into one functioning unit.

How Does the Drivetrain Work?

Essentially, the parts of a drivetrain work together to make a vehicle move. It works by using the driveshaft’s connection to the engine to spin when power is supplied to by the engine. This causes the transmission to turn, which occurs when the vehicle accelerates or slows down. The driveshaft will then cause the axles to spin, putting the wheels into motion. The car moves forward with the speed at which the driveshaft spins. All these moving parts allow your vehicle to move as you control it with the steering wheel and pedals.

If any of these parts were to break, it would affect the other portions of the drivetrain. The next time you see your brake mechanic , ask them to inspect the rest of the drivetrain to ensure everything is working well.

The Types of Drivetrains

The type of drivetrain will affect the vehicle’s driving style. There are four types of drivetrains, and each one controls a different number of wheels in different positions. For example, front-wheel drive causes the front wheels to move, while the back wheels are unpowered. Sedans and hatchbacks usually use front-wheel drive because it offers better fuel economy and traction, which works well for larger vehicles.

Rear-wheel drive works best for sports cars since it only moves the back wheels. Sports cars are known for moving fast and need more focus on turning and handling, so the front wheels need to be stable to have more mobility to turn. All-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive use all wheels; however, these two differ in the fact that all-wheel drive is always on, while four-wheel-drive can be turned on and off.

The drivetrain and its different components have made vehicle technology easier to manage. Make sure you maintain the drivetrain and suspension so you will have a better understanding of how your vehicle functions. Regular service appointments are also essential for keeping your car working soundly. Book a service appointment in Buffalo Grove for your vehicle. You can also read more of our blogs to learn about drivetrains and other car components.