Have you ever heard of a transaxle? Probably not if you are not too keen about automotive literature. The transaxle is a smaller version of the transmission and is commonly found in FWD vehicles that come with automatic car transmission systems. Unlike your standard transmission, the transaxle comes with the axle integrated into the assembly, which allows for a smaller package.
Therefore, instead of having a differential at the rear of your car, it is attached to the transaxle itself. This connection greatly simplifies the driveline. The driveshaft doesn’t need a link to the differential before the power is sent to the wheels of the vehicle.
That said, there are more differences between a transmission and a transaxle than there is between the transverse and longitudinal mounted motors. In a transaxle setup, the power goes directly to the wheels from the transaxle instead of the differential to the wheels.
Why Are Vehicles Fitted with Transaxles?
The increased use of the front-wheel-drive (FWD) was what was behind the popularity of the transaxle design. This is because the set-up eliminated the need to have a driveshaft, allowing the drive wheels to connect to the car transmission directly. It’s also a relatively compact design that fitted well to a small engine bay.
Recent Posts
Categories
- AAMCO Diagnostics Center
- Air Conditioning
- Blog
- Brakes
- Brakes, Tires, & Suspension
- Check Engine Light
- Colorado Automotive Advice
- Community Involvement
- Electrical
- Electrical
- Engine
- Exhaust System
- Featured Articles
- Infographic
- Maintenance
- Muffler
- Muffler & Exhaust
- news
- Oil Change
- Online Mechanic
- Radiator
- Radiator & Cooling System
- Safety
- Services
- Suspension
- Suspension System
- Total Car Care
- Transmission
- Transmissions
- Videos
How Are Transaxles Fitted?
The transaxle can be oriented either transversely or longitudinally. The transverse axles are used in concert with the transverse engines in many modern front-wheel drive vehicles. This is a configuration that places the entire drive train as well as the drive wheels at the front end of the car. On the other hand, a lot of the rear-wheel-drive vehicles also use the longitudinal engine fitted with a conventional transmission as well as a drivetrain. However, in this kind of set-up, they either have a mid or rear-engine set-up. When the engine is set up at the rear, the entire configuration is quite similar to the one on an FWD vehicle.
Are There Any Transaxle Drawbacks?
Since the transaxle consists of the differential, transmission, and other final drive components, there are several failure points to consider. Some of the issues car owners need to watch out for include:
- Slipping gears
- Smelling burnt transmission oil or fluid
- Excessive drag during coasting
- Noise from the transmission when in a neutral position
- Clunking, rumbling or whining when driving from a complete stop
Since your vehicle depends on the axle to get power from the engine to the drive wheels, it is essential to investigate the potential failures before or as soon as they occur. Due to this, it is a good idea to routinely check your fluids and take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic such as one from AAMCO Colorado.
The Difference Between Transaxles and Transmissions: Performance.
By now, you already know that transaxles are not ideal for every type of vehicle, and there are several situations where the transaxle is either unnecessary or ill-advised. For starters, the added weight on the engine bay can significantly hinder the performance of the rear-wheel-drive vehicle—the less weight there is on the driven wheels, the less the traction on the car. Therefore, when a car transmission is mounted behind the engine, it adds more of the vehicle’s weight to the rear.
Also, there are several ways to bolster the strength of transmission instead of using a transaxle. While in theory there exists transaxles designs that could handle ultra-powerful engine designs, their compact nature poses some serious engineering challenges. Transmissions, on the other hand, have more room for careful design. Moreover, the separate rear differential means that you could easily swap it out for an upgraded one.
There also exists rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles that come with transaxles too. Instead of fitting beside the engine, the transaxle is placed in the rear where the rear differential needs to be. It isn’t normal, but it helps in better weight distribution eliminating the need for a rear differential as well.
Generally, transaxles will not come with manual transmission due to the way they are packaged, and will almost always be automatic.
Learn more from the experts
AAMCO Colorado is staying open, practicing safe healthy measures, in order to provide essential car maintenance and diagnostic services to help our communities. Stay safe, and get your car maintained here.
AAMCO Colorado Transmission Repair and Maintenance Service
AAMCO Colorado has a reputation in Colorado and its environs when it comes to transmission repair and service. We have years of professional experience, state of the art equipment, and certified technicians. It is due to this that we are the go-to auto center when it comes to transmission problems. We also offer other auto care services such as factory recommended service, engine tune-up service, electrical system maintenance and service, and many more.
Does your transmission oil have a burnt smell? Healthy transmission oil has a sweet scent. Burnt transmission oil smell could mean a problem with your transmission system. Contact us immediately to visit your local AAMCO Colorado auto care center. Our technicians will work round the clock to help you sort your transmission problems.
Recent Posts from Our Blog
Oil Changes & Oil Filter Replacement: What Does This Actually Do?
We all know oil changes are a regular part of car maintenance. But do you know what an oil change and oil filter replacement does for your car? Your car’s engine is a complex system of moving parts and your engine oil and oil filter play an important role in keeping...
read moreFirst 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working
Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three...
read moreTop 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn
It’s important to help your teenage kids become more comfortable around cars and understand basic car care. While much of car care is about knowing when to bring your car to an auto repair shop, there are also certain tasks that can be done at home, as well as ways to...
read moreOil Changes & Oil Filter Replacement: What Does This Actually Do?
We all know oil changes are a regular part of car maintenance. But do you know what an oil change and oil filter replacement does for your car? Your car’s engine is a complex system of moving parts and your engine oil and oil filter play an important role in keeping...
read moreFirst 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working
Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three...
read moreTop 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn
It’s important to help your teenage kids become more comfortable around cars and understand basic car care. While much of car care is about knowing when to bring your car to an auto repair shop, there are also certain tasks that can be done at home, as well as ways to...
read moreProtected: How to Check if Your Car Repairs are Covered by Insurance
Password Protected
To view this protected post, enter the password below:
Find Your Local AAMCO Colorado
Navigate our Blog
Recent Posts
Categories
- AAMCO Diagnostics Center
- Air Conditioning
- Blog
- Brakes
- Brakes, Tires, & Suspension
- Check Engine Light
- Colorado Automotive Advice
- Community Involvement
- Electrical
- Electrical
- Engine
- Exhaust System
- Featured Articles
- Infographic
- Maintenance
- Muffler
- Muffler & Exhaust
- news
- Oil Change
- Online Mechanic
- Radiator
- Radiator & Cooling System
- Safety
- Services
- Suspension
- Suspension System
- Total Car Care
- Transmission
- Transmissions
- Videos