Drivetrain vs Powertrain

As you drive your Honda vehicle around, something you might wonder is what's the difference between the drivetrain and the powertrain that keep your car moving forward. It's a good thing to have a grasp of what the similarities and differences are between these critical Honda parts of your vehicle.

The Drivetrain

The drivetrain is defined as any component that delivers power directly to the wheels of the vehicle. It includes:

• Transmission
• Axles
• Differential
• Clutch and Flywheel
• Driveshaft
• Torque Converter
• CV Joint
• Universal Joint

Put more simply, the drivetrain is any component of the vehicle that doesn't directly create power - such as the engine - but that's involved in transferring power to the wheels to create propulsion to carry the car down the road.

Understanding more about the drivetrain and what it is will help with the maintenance and repair of your vehicle. You can confidently tell technicians what's wrong with your car and better understand what service your Honda vehicle needs to get back out on the road.

The Powertrain

The powertrain is defined as the entire power-producing system in the vehicle. It includes:

• Engine
• Driveshaft
• Differential
• Transmission
• Transfer Case

Put simply, the term powertrain encompasses pretty much everything involved in providing power to move the car's wheels.

At our Honda dealership, knowing more about what's a part of the powertrain will streamline the routine servicing or damage repair needed on your vehicle. You'll better understand what servicing is needed, why, and what the implications are for cost and repair time.

The Similarities and Differences

Now to dig into the similarities and differences between the drivetrain and powertrain and the Honda service needed to keep them running smoothly. Many components overlap in both systems. For example, transmission is classified as being part of both the drivetrain as well as the powertrain.

However, the term drivetrain is used to refer to specific components that transfer engine power to the wheels. The term powertrain, on the other hand, is a more generic way to refer to almost anything that's required to produce propulsion to move the car forward.

Servicing Your Drivetrain and Powertrain

At the Gillman Honda Houston service department, you can count on us to deliver high-quality, customer-friendly service whenever needed. Whether it's your drivetrain or powertrain that needs servicing, maintenance, or repair, we're up to the job with experienced technicians and a wide inventory of parts to ensure you're back out on the road as soon as possible.