Every car has a transmission system, and no car can operate without one. This vital piece of equipment is often considered the most complex aspect of a vehicle, and with good reason. There are many different transmission varieties, lots of working pieces and the components can even go by different names. Car enthusiasts argue about the best transmissions, auto shops install custom systems and mechanics have a lot of advice about how to repair and care for them. All of this can quickly become overwhelming to most car owners!
At Riverdale Automotive, we make things simple. It’s true that your car’s transmission is pretty complex, but we’re here for transmission repair, inspection and maintenance whenever you need it, so you don’t have to worry about knowing every single little piece of your system.
We are the area’s go-to shop for expert transmission repair in Conway, AR and so much more, and we want our customers to have the information they need to feel comfortable with any work we do on their car. So, here are some facts about transmissions that may help you down the road.
The transmission makes your car go
We mean this literally. The transmission is in charge of powering specific gears that rotate the wheels and much more. You might often hear people referring to the transmission as a “gearbox” and talking about how it ultimately gives the car both speed and torque capabilities.
Remember how we mentioned different names and definitions of the transmission at the start of this article? In Britain, the term “transmission” encompasses a lot more of the internal components than the “gearbox” definition we use in America. The British definition of a transmission encompasses the entire drive train—in other words, the clutch, drive shaft, gearbox and more. Knowing this, you should be sure to ask for a few details about what parts your mechanic is referring to if you need transmission repair.
Understanding the basics
There’s no need to get overly technical in order to explain the basics of a transmission system. Here’s a simple way of thinking about it: transmissions are a series of gears that work together to power your car. If you want a little more detail, here are a few key points to understand:
- The action starts with your engine, which is responsible for making your crankshaft spin.
- The crankshaft in turn makes the gears of the transmission spin.
- These and a few other things make the wheels on your car spin.
- The gears regulate the speed of spin, and also provide torque power.
- The amount of torque depends on the gear you are in (first gear is a lot different from fifth, for example).
This is a very basic explanation, which involves a lot of complicated details. So, when it’s time for transmission repair in Conway, AR, come on over to Riverdale Automotive. We’ll make sure your transmission is in good shape year-round, so you can get where you need to go worry-free.