Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles are propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  by the front wheels. For this reason, they must use a drive design different from that of an RWD vehicle. The propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  is the special power transfer unit commonly used on FWD vehicles. A transaxle combines the transmission gearing, propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission , and drive axle connections into a single case propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  located in front of the vehicle. This design offers many advantages. One major advantage is the good traction on slippery roads due to the propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  of the drivetrain components being directly over the driving propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  of the vehicle. It is also more compact and lighter than the propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  of an RWD vehicle. Transverse engine and transaxle configurations also allow for lower hood lines, thereby improving the propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  aerodynamic.

The final drive propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  gear is driven by the transaxle's output shaft. The ring gear then propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  the power to the differential case. The case holds the ring propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  with its mating pinion gear. The differential propelleddifferentialsidetransfersweightaxlesringtransaxlegearhousingvehiclestransmission  gears are connected to the drive axles.

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Frontwheel drive FWD vehicles employ a specialized power transfer unit known as a transaxle which in... View the full answer