Glossary / General

torque converters

9 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

A torque converter is what helps an automatic transmission get the car moving from a stop. For racing, the right one helps the engine rev where it makes power instead of bogging down.

Technical Definition

A torque converter is the fluid coupling in an automatic transmission that multiplies torque at launch. In drag racing, selecting the right converter helps the engine reach its ideal RPM quickly and stay there under acceleration.

Hear It Discussed

"Yeah. It went back down. It seems to go down when I'm stopped more than it goes down when I'm driving. Is that right? Yeah, because you don't have the torque converters is just sitting there."
Save Money On Car Repairs With Our Car Talk Show Under The Hood show 31:30

"because that eighty two Buick park have had a transmission problem and it was fixed three times, and because General Motors didn't make torque converters right I think for five or ten years."
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - Classic Car Doctor - October 10, 2015 - Hour 2 - You Love Your Car More Than You ThinkFrom the Car Doctor archives — originally aired October 2015. In this classic episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens the hour with a thoughtful discussion about the emotional connection we develop with our vehicles—often without realizing just how attached we've become. Whether it's the family car that's been through years of memories or the vehicle that always seems to get us home, cars become more than machines. Ron then helps a caller diagnose cooling system problems on a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer and takes a call from a 2013 Toyota Highlander owner whose wheels were nearly left loose after a routine oil change, leading to an important conversation about trust, quality workmanship, and paying attention after service. Also featured is an interview with Derek Miller from ALLDATA, discussing vehicle repair information, diagnostic resources, and the growing complexity of modern automobiles. Ron rounds out the hour by answering listener emails about choosing the right OBD-II scan tool and diagnosing hesitation and rough idle concerns on a Toyota. A great mix of automotive advice, consumer awareness, and a reminder that our relationship with our cars is often more personal than we think. Ron Ananian The Car Doctor 06:17

"So like injectors and torque converters, I do this a lot. Like before going to UCC, I send my injectors out to get read tested and calibrated..."
UCC Champ Reveals Perfect Daily Driver Power Level The Diesel Podcast 13:14