How much slower is a 4.875 ratio compared to a 4.33 ratio?
3 Answers
4.875 ratio is 16km/h slower than 4.33 ratio. Here is additional information: Differences between 4.875 and 4.33 ratios: The main differences between 4.33 and 4.875 ratios are reflected in two aspects: different driven gear speeds and different numbers of gear teeth. For the same specification rear tire (driven gear) completing one full rotation, a vehicle with a 4.33 ratio will have its driven gear rotate 4.33 times. Whereas a vehicle with a 4.875 ratio will have its driven gear rotate 4.875 times. A vehicle with a 4.33 ratio has 32 teeth on the driven gear and 7 teeth on the driving gear. A vehicle with a 4.875 ratio has 39 teeth on the driven gear and 8 teeth on the driving gear. The 4.33 ratio balances power and rationality, making it suitable for flat regions and light-load express logistics scenarios; the 4.875 ratio emphasizes power performance, making it suitable for hilly and mountainous areas. Impact of ratio size on vehicles: When the transmission ratio is too small, the vehicle operates under heavy load with insufficiently smooth acceleration, leading to noise and vibration; when the transmission ratio is too large, fuel economy suffers, and engine noise becomes excessive at high speeds.
In a car, the differential gear ratio directly determines how fast the wheels turn, which has a noticeable impact on the driving feel. For example, a model with a 4.875 ratio compared to a 4.33 ratio will have slower wheel rotation at the same engine speed. Roughly calculated, the speed at a 4.875 ratio is about 88.8% of that at a 4.33 ratio, meaning it's approximately 11.2% slower. This might not sound like much, but when driving, you'll feel sluggish acceleration, especially when climbing hills or overtaking, as the engine has to work harder. Why is it designed this way? A higher ratio like 4.875 is suitable for heavy loads or off-road vehicles, providing stronger torque to pull the car forward. However, for daily highway driving, it can be a bit of a drawback—higher engine RPM leads to more noise and potentially higher fuel consumption. I think choosing a car depends on its intended use—for city commuting, avoid overly high ratios, but for towing or heavy-duty tasks, it's worth it. Changing the gear ratio should also be done by a professional mechanic to avoid affecting the overall balance.
As a guy who plays with car modifications, I often tinker with gear ratios. How much difference is there between 4.875 and 4.33? Simply put, at a steady engine speed, 4.875 makes the car run about 11% slower. Don’t underestimate this small number—it makes a huge difference in practice. For example, the 4.875 high ratio gives you explosive acceleration off the line, instant power for climbing rock piles or towing heavy loads, which feels amazing. But it’s a disadvantage on highways—the engine screams, and fuel consumption tends to spike. Before modifying, calculate this difference carefully: high ratios like 4.875 are great for off-roading or drag racing starts, while low ratios like 4.33 save fuel and make cruising quieter. I’ve made the mistake of choosing the wrong ratio before, ending up with a rough highway experience and burning through extra fuel. My advice? Adjust based on your needs, consult a professional shop, and don’t just swap parts blindly.
