No, you cannot drive a car that is missing its drive shaft. While the engine may start and run, the vehicle will not move because the drive shaft is the critical component that transmits power from the transmission to the wheels. The car's starter motor only engages the engine, and the engine's operation is independent of the drivetrain. Without the drive shaft, there is no physical connection to turn the wheels.
The drive shaft, particularly in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles, is a cylindrical shaft that connects the transmission's output shaft to the differential. The differential then sends power to the wheels. In front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars, this function is handled by constant velocity (CV) axles, which are essentially shorter drive shafts at the front wheels.
If a drive shaft is removed or broken, you might notice the following:
- The engine will rev freely when you press the accelerator, but the car will not accelerate.
- In a RWD vehicle, you may hear loud clunking or grinding noises from underneath if the shaft is damaged but still partially connected.
- The car is effectively stranded and will need to be towed.
This situation is different from a neutral gear, where the transmission is deliberately disconnected from the output. Here, the connection to the wheels is mechanically absent. The only exception is with in-wheel motor electric vehicles, which eliminate the need for a traditional drive shaft by placing a motor directly at each wheel.
| Scenario | Can Engine Start? | Can Car Move? | Notes |
|---|
| Missing/Broken Drive Shaft (RWD/4WD) | Yes | No | Power cannot reach the wheels. Towing required. |
| Missing/Broken CV Axle (FWD) | Yes | No | Power cannot reach the front wheels. Towing required. |
| Transmission in Neutral | Yes | No (can be pushed/roll) | This is an intentional disconnection within the transmission. |
| In-Wheel Motor EV | Yes (system powers on) | Yes | No central drive shaft exists; each wheel has its own motor. |
