When it comes to understanding the inner workings of our beloved Highlander vehicle, it’s important to clear up any confusion about its drivetrain. Among car enthusiasts and enthusiasts, there is often a debate over whether the Highlander uses a conventional transmission or a transaxle. In this blog, we aim to delve deeper into this topic, uncover the secrets and shed light on the issues.
Learn the basics:
To truly understand this concept, we first need to understand the fundamental difference between a transmission and a transaxle. Simply put, the job of both is to transfer power from the car’s engine to the wheels. The difference, however, is how they achieve this.
spread:
Also known as a gearbox, a transmission contains various gears and mechanisms that are responsible for adapting the engine’s output to different driving conditions. Vehicles equipped with conventional transmissions typically have separate components for drive and transaxle applications. This arrangement resulted in a more complex setup, with separate components for the engine, transmission and axles.
Transaxle:
In contrast, a transaxle combines the transmission and axle components into a single unit. It combines the functions of the transmission with elements such as gears, differentials and axles within the same housing. This design simplifies the powertrain layout and offers significant weight savings, thereby improving vehicle performance and fuel efficiency.
Decoding the Highlander’s powertrain:
Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s focus on the Toyota Highlander. Toyota equipped the Highlander with a transaxle specifically called an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). This advanced technology combines the functionality of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with that of an electric motor-generator.
ECVT explanation:
The ECVT in the Highlander combines the power delivery capabilities of a traditional CVT with the electric assistance of the vehicle’s hybrid system. This collaboration enables seamless transitions between power sources, optimizing fuel efficiency and promoting a smooth driving experience.
In addition, the Highlander’s transaxle uses an electronically controlled planetary gear set. This innovation enables the hybrid system to efficiently manage power from the engine and electric motor. As a result, Highlander’s system ensures optimal power distribution for enhanced traction control while maintaining fuel economy.
Final thoughts:
All in all, the Toyota Highlander does use a transaxle called ECVT. This transaxle combines the advantages of CVT and motor-generator systems to ensure an efficient and enjoyable driving experience while minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining traction control.
Understanding the intricacies of a vehicle’s powertrain not only satisfies our curiosity, it also allows us to make informed decisions about efficient driving practices and vehicle maintenance. So, the next time someone asks the Highlander whether it has a transmission or a transaxle, you can now answer loud and confidently: “It has a transaxle—an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission!”
Post time: Oct-16-2023