Browsing Posts tagged Fuel efficiency

An automotive tire tread typically ranges from...

Image via Wikipedia

Most of us react to automotive problems rather than anticipating them. Unfortunately, that often means we’re forced to cope with them on the side of the road. For example, the first sign we notice that our engine may be failing is a cloud of smoke billowing out from under the hood of our vehicle. A malfunctioning alternator might “catch us by surprise” by suddenly dying. The same is true for the water pump, spark plugs, fuel injectors, and brake system. And of course, few people take the time to regularly check their tires for tread wear.

BAUMA 2007, ZF Torque converter, cut-away
Image via Wikipedia

If you have ever driven a car with a manual transmission, you know that the clutch is an essential part of the vehicle’s operation. It decouples the engine from the transmission, allowing the engine to move independently.

Cars with automatic transmissions lack a clutch that would otherwise disconnect the engine from the tranny. They use a torque converter (TC) instead. It is a donut-shaped component that is located directly between your car’s engine and transmission. It transfers torque to the wheels of your vehicle. The faster your engine spins, the more torque the TC sends.