You may occasionally hear the term “transaxle” used in place of “transmission” for your car or SUV. Is there a difference, and if so, what is it? Harold's Used Auto Parts Inc in Philadelphia is here to help.

In short, yes, they are two different things. Often, the word transaxle is replaced with transmission…it’s simply a word that’s been around longer, and since a transaxle does serve the purpose of a transmission, it’s an easy mistake to make. While using “transmission” as a blanket term isn’t particularly harmful, it is technically incorrect.

A transmission serves one purpose – transmitting engine power to the driveshaft, via an array of different gear ratios. Transmissions are also only found in rear-wheel-drive cars.

On front-wheel-drive cars, you find a transaxle. The transaxle serves the purpose of the transmission but also adopts the job of the differential, which is an entirely separate component on rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Since the axles that drive the wheels, or CV axles, are directly connected to the transaxle, a power-splitting differential system must be integrated to allow for power distribution to the wheels. Essentially, a transaxle is a transmission and a differential combined into one unit.

Whether your car, truck or SUV has a transaxle or a transmission, our technicians have you covered, for all your repair and maintenance needs. For the best transmission (and transaxle) service shop in Philadelphia, call or stop by Harold's Used Auto Parts Inc today.