Drivetrain facts for kids

The drivetrain of a motor vehicle is a super important group of parts. Think of it as the team that takes power from the engine and sends it to the wheels. These are the wheels that make the vehicle move!

The drivetrain includes several key parts. These are the transmission (or transaxle), driveshafts, differentials, axles, and the wheels themselves. It's important to remember that the drivetrain does NOT include the engine. The engine is what creates the power, but the drivetrain is what delivers it.

Sometimes, you might hear the word "powertrain." The powertrain is a bigger team! It includes both the engine AND the drivetrain working together.

Vehicle drivetrain (excluding the engine)

How the Drivetrain Works

The drivetrain's main job is to get power from the engine to the wheels. This power makes the car go! It's like a chain reaction, with each part passing the power along.

Parts of the Drivetrain

Let's look at the main parts of a drivetrain:

• Transmission: This part changes the speed and power coming from the engine. It's like a multi-speed bicycle gear system for your car.
• Driveshafts: These are long, spinning rods. They carry power from the transmission to other parts of the drivetrain.
• Differential: This clever device allows the wheels on the same axle to spin at different speeds. This is super helpful when you turn a corner!
• Axles: These are shafts that connect the wheels to the differential. They transfer the final power directly to the wheels.
• Wheels: These are what touch the road and make the vehicle move forward.

Why Power Gets Lost

When power travels through the drivetrain, some of it gets used up or "lost." This is called drivetrain loss. It means the wheels don't get 100% of the power the engine makes.

What Causes Power Loss?

Power is lost because of different forces:

• Inertia: Parts need energy to start moving and keep moving.
• Drag: Air resistance and other forces can slow things down.
• Friction: When parts rub against each other, they create heat and lose energy.

The more parts the power has to go through, the more power can be lost. Every drivetrain is a bit different in how much power it loses. For example, an automatic transmission usually causes more power loss than a manual one.

Images for kids

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  Engine and drivetrain of a front-wheel drive car

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  Rear axle with a special gear called a hypoid bevel gear

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  A manual transaxle for a front-wheel drive car, showing the gearbox and final drive together

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  Drivetrain of a construction vehicle with all-wheel drive

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  A close-up view of a car's differential, which helps wheels turn at different speeds

See also

In Spanish: Transmisión mecánica para niños