Early motorcycle clutches were operated by a foot pedal in the same way that automobile drivers use clutches. This was awkward and dangerous because it required that the rider's left foot be off the ground when the bike came to complete stop (at an intersection, for instance). British design...
The CVT does have its downsides; most notably, it can be sluggish to drive, since it's engineered for efficiency rather than fun. The CVT also works best in small cars with small engines, which is why most trucks and large SUVs continue to use traditional automatics. Basic Parts of a ...
This allows the input pinion to be mounted lower than the axis of the ring gear. The figure at left shows the input pinion engaging the ring gear of the differential. Since the driveshaft of the car is connected to the input pinion, this also lowers the driveshaft. This means that the...
you should take sympathy on vehicles with all-wheel-drive systems that weren't designed to constantly shunt power to the rear axle. Maintain a steady pace and stay in ruts to make sure you don't overwork the clutches that send power rearward. (Ask me how I know.) Even if you've got...
Suddenly, one of the foremen tells you to move one of the trucks out of the way so another driver can back up to the loading dock. Assuming you know how to drive such a vehicle, the foreman keeps going, but you pause -- because you don't. Trying to please the higher-ups and to...
Chart: The faster you go, the more kinetic energy you have and the harder your brakes will have to work to stop you.Different brakes for different machinesFrom cars and trucks to planes and trains, brakes work in a similar way on most different vehicles. There are even brakes in wind ...
Car engines are much more efficient: they waste less energy and put more of it to work. What's so clever about them is that they burn fuel in closed containers, capturing most of the heat energy the fuel releases, and turning it into mechanical energy that can drive the car along....
The belt drive on a Buell Lightning Drive Systems There are three basic ways to transmit engine power to the rear wheel of a motorcycle: chain, belt or shaft. Chain final-drive systems are by far the most common. In this system, a sprocket mounted to the output shaft (i.e., the shaf...
Can Honda SUVs and trucks go off-road? What’s the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? How much can Honda vehicles tow? The Honda Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline are recommended for any towing over 1,500 pounds. All three are capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds*whe...
In a semi-automatic car, you will have the option to switch between manual and automatic controls easily. You can drive a semi-automatic like a fully automatic car – with no need for manual gear changes – but you can also take manual control. ...