Which is More Important: Engine or Transmission?
3 Answers
Transmission is more important. The related introductions of engine and transmission are as follows: Introduction to Engine: The engine was first developed in the UK. An engine is a machine that converts kinetic energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, electric motors, etc. For example, an internal combustion engine typically converts chemical energy into mechanical energy. The term engine applies not only to power-generating devices but also to the entire machine of the power unit. Introduction to Transmission: The transmission refers to the gearbox of a car, which is divided into manual and automatic types. A manual transmission mainly consists of gears and shafts, achieving speed and torque variation through different gear combinations. An automatic transmission (AT) is composed of a torque converter, planetary gears, a hydraulic torque variation system, and a hydraulic control system. It achieves speed and torque variation through hydraulic transmission and gear combinations.
That's an interesting question! As someone who's been driving for over 30 years, I believe the engine is more crucial. The engine is the "heart" of a car - without its power output, the entire vehicle can't move; whereas the transmission mainly controls power delivery, acting like the "drivetrain system". From my personal experience: during highway driving, stable power output from the engine ensures driving safety; transmission issues might cause jerking or gear sticking, but you can still drive carefully. If the engine suddenly stalls, you're directly stranded with greater risks. Maintenance-wise, repairing or replacing a bad engine costs big money; transmission problems usually cost hundreds or a few thousand to fix. Plus, modern vehicles' electronic systems rely on engine signals - if it fails, even the AC and stereo won't work. So from reliability and daily safety perspectives, the engine is absolutely vital, preventing breakdowns during long trips.
As a racing enthusiast, I believe the transmission is absolutely crucial! Sure, the engine provides horsepower, but a great transmission can deliver explosive acceleration. I've test-driven modified cars myself; dual-clutch transmissions shift lightning-fast, unleashing the engine's full potential. On the racetrack, every millisecond in shifting determines overtaking success; if the transmission responds sluggishly, even a high-power engine is wasted—burning fuel without delivering output. In daily driving, gear matching directly impacts fuel efficiency and smooth handling; the intelligent logic of automatic transmissions makes stop-and-go city traffic much easier. In short, from a performance and driving pleasure perspective, the transmission is the soul—smooth operation is downright addictive!
