From the transmission, through the drive shaft or axles and ending up at the wheels, the torque your engine produces reaches the road through your vehicle’s drivetrain. There are different arrangements in drivetrains:

• Rear Wheel Drive
• Front Wheel Drive
• 4-Wheel Drive
• All-Wheel Drive

No matter the drivetrain arrangement, they all have a transmission, a very complex component. The transmission is a device used to multiply torque and allow for higher speeds. By varying the ratios in each gear, the modern transmission allows for a vehicle which can accelerate well from a stop and achieve higher speeds. Back in the 1950’s and 1960’s transmissions had 3 or 4 gears at most. Today’s vehicles can have up to 8 gears or more. More gears allow for better engine efficiency by keeping the engine RPM’s in an optimal range.

Transmissions come in three styles…. Manual, Automatic and Constant Velocity (CV). Each has their own requirements for maintenance. Specific fluids are used to keep transmission working efficiently and to carry contaminants away from internal components. Fluid should be replaced at regular intervals to extend the life of the transmission.

Drive axle u-joints, CV joints, clutches and axle seals do wear out and fail periodically. If you feel a vibration or slippage while accelerating, a hard time shifting or hear a “chirp” when backing up, all are signs that there is a potential problem with the transmission or drive train component. Bring your vehicle into Van Loo’s Auto Service for regular transmission service. And if you feel you have a problem let us diagnose any concerns you may have.