Transmission Parts: The Torque Converter
Posted on Nov 18, 2014 12:25pm PST

Any
automatic transmission service in the D.C. metro area will tell you how important the torque converter is for your automatic
vehicle’s transmission. This converter replaces the clutch used
in a manual transmission and allows the engine to effectively communicate
with the wheels. Keep reading to learn about the torque converter and
the role it plays in your automatic vehicle.
The torque converter affects the amount of torque that is transferred from
the engine to the wheels at any given time; a functioning torque converter
allows you to keep the car still while idling by resting your foot on
the brake pedal. When you are stepping on the gas, however, a greater
amount of torque is being sent from the engine to the wheels, so stopping
the car requires a greater exertion of force on the brake pedal. Transmission
issues that stem from the torque converter may affect your fuel economy
as well as cause overheating and transmission slipping. These issues can
be very problematic and may warrant a visit to the transmission repair shop.
Your vehicle’s torque converter is responsible for transferring the
proper amount of torque to the wheels from the engine. Any transmission
repairs that are needed should be done at a transmission shop.