Whether you’re shopping for cars or looking for maintenance, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by car terms that seem interchangeable, like “compact vs. sub-compact” or “drivetrain vs. powertrain”. However, knowing the difference between a drivetrain and a powertrain will help you understand where issues are cropping up. With this guide from us at Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington, you’ll never be confused again.
What’s a Powertrain?
The powertrain includes all of the parts that power your vehicle. That means the engine, transmission, differentials, axle shafts, and joints are all included in this category. Because it covers so many essential components that make your car move, technicians and driving aficionados use more specific terms to refer to sub-sections of this group.
What’s a Drivetrain?
A drivetrain includes all of the parts in the powertrain except for the engine. This term highlights all of the parts that transfer power from the engine to the road, like the driveshaft, differential, and the wheels themselves. Crucially, this category includes the transmission.
What’s a Driveline?
There’s actually a third way to think about the parts in your car: by focusing on the driveline. This category leaves out the transmission, but includes everything else that’s part of a drivetrain: the driveshaft, differentials, axle shafts, and joints. These parts focus on transmitting power efficiently, so if there’s an issue here, you’ll notice sluggish performance.
Get Mercedes-Benz Service in Fort Washington, PA
No matter where you have an issue, we’ll take care of it at our Fort Washington Mercedes-Benz service center. Make an appointment and bring your car in for a tune-up. We’ll go over the powertrain in detail and make sure you can feel the luxurious Mercedes-Benz feel drivers love, so stop by today!
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