What is a Drivetrain?

By Mister Transmission

A drivetrain may be the least understood part of a vehicle. This is due to several factors, including the fact that the term “drivetrain” is often used interchangeably with powertrain and driveline.

The drivetrain includes the transmission, the driveshaft, the axles, and the wheels. Simply put, it works in conjunction with the engine to move the wheels. The drivetrain system is an essential component of a vehicle and the transmission is an integral part of the drivetrain.

The Drivetrain and the Transmission

The drivetrain and the transmission are actually two very different concepts. The main function of the transmission is similar to the chain on a bicycle: it keeps the engine turning in time with the wheels, regardless of what gear the vehicle is in. The drivetrain represents everything that is behind the transmission involved in propelling the vehicle. The main function of the drivetrain is basically to convey power from the vehicle’s engine, through the transmission to the drive wheels on the vehicle to control the amount of torque. “Torque” is turning or twisting force.

Parts of a Drivetrain

The drivetrain is comprised of a collection of components in a vehicle that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels/ drive it forward. These components include the driveshaft, CV joints, the differential, the axle shafts and the U-joints.

  • A driveshaft is a long tube of steel that is linked to a car’s transmission at one end and the wheels at the other. It transfers the mechanical power from the transmission to the other components of the vehicle.
  • A U-joint, or universal joint, is a flexible pivot point that transmits power allowing for varying angles of the driveshaft.
  • CV joints, or constant-velocity joints, are part of the driveshaft. These joints are designed to be able to bend in any direction while continuing to turn the drive wheels at a constant velocity.
  • The differential is where the power makes its last stop before spinning the wheels (see ‘How Differentials Work’).
  • Axle shafts are a single rotating shaft, on either side of the differential, which delivers power from the final drive assembly to the drive wheels.

Driveline, Drivetrain, Powertrain

Technicians sometimes refer to driveline, drivetrain and powertrain interchangeably when referring to the drivetrain system of an automobile. This can cause confusion, but in essence, all of these terms describe the same system within the vehicle.

The powertrain in a vehicle is composed of everything that makes the vehicle move. This includes everything from the engine to the transmission to all the parts that allow the power from the engine to get to the wheels. A vehicle’s driveline consists of all of the powertrain’s components except for the engine.

The drivetrain is the part of a motorized vehicle which connects the engine and transmission to the wheel axles.

The driveline includes everything in the chain from the engine to the drive wheels, but the drivetrain consists of everything after the transmission — all driveshafts, axles, joints, differentials and wheels.

Mister Transmission technicians are all certified drivetrain and transmission specialists who service drivetrain and transmission issues in all modern vehicles.

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Customer Reviews
had a great experience with...
Fenil Vibes
had a great experience with Mister Transmission. The team here is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and honest about the work that needs to be done. Transmission problems can be stressful and expensive, but they took the time to properly explain the issue with my vehicle and gave clear options without any pressure.Their diagnostic process was thorough, and the repair was completed efficiently. The staff kept me updated throughout the process, and the pricing was fair compared to other places I checked. What I appreciated the most was their transparency and customer service — you can tell they genuinely care about helping customers rather than just selling repairs.If you’re having transmission issues and want reliable mechanics who know what they’re doing, I highly recommend Mister Transmission. Great service, trustworthy team, and excellent workmanship.Also Chris and dawn were just amazing
Date: March 12, 2026
Website: Google
Great experience there! Would recommend.
Shee Moo
Great experience there! Would recommend.
Date: March 12, 2026
Website: Google
Aki and Sal are very...
V
Aki and Sal are very helpful and genuinely passionate. They don't try to oversell you things. Not the cheapest repair shop, but still economical. But the work quality is definitely on par (if not better) with a high end shop. So overall definitely recommend taking your car here.
Date: March 11, 2026
Website: Google
I had an issue with...
Richard Downe
I had an issue with my Nissan Murano and left it up to Carlo and the staff of Mr. Transmission . After 3 hrs my vehicle was fixed and hasn't sounded this good in months. Fix was new struts and sway bar kits I purchased from ODA. (Orangeville Discount Autoparts ) Thanks for the great service from the team at Mr. Transmission.
Date: March 11, 2026
Website: Google
Aki and Sal are very...
V
Aki and Sal are very helpful and genuinely passionate. They don't try to oversell you things. Not the cheapest repair shop, but still economical. But the work quality is definitely on par (if not better) with a high end shop. So overall definitely recommend taking your car here.
Date: March 11, 2026
Website: Google
My brother-in-law was skeptical when...
Frank Angus
My brother-in-law was skeptical when a dealer insisted our car needed a brand-new transmission and quoted a costly rebuild. Instead, he recommended Mister Transmission on Exeter Road in London to first have a look to see if they could rebuild it instead of buying a new transmission. We took his advice, and we are so glad we did. They thoroughly evaluated the car and determined the transmission was fine; the problem was something much simpler and far less expensive to fix. Their honest assessment substantially reduced the bill, and it restored our faith in finding trustworthy auto shops. Friendly, professional, and straightforward — I highly recommend Mr. Transmission, 300 Exeter Road, London.
Date: March 10, 2026
Website: Google
Chris and his crew went...
FamousMinds
Chris and his crew went above and beyond to track down some hard to find parts for my Honda Odyssey transmission. It was a huge job with some setbacks from suppliers, but he never gave up and got the job done!
Date: March 10, 2026
Website: Google
Really good explanation by the...
Nuwan Suraweera
Really good explanation by the staff like What could be happened. What can be happen in the future. What do i need to do.Really happy about the service.
Date: March 10, 2026
Website: Google
Chris and his crew went...
FamousMinds
Chris and his crew went above and beyond to track down some hard to find parts for my Honda Odyssey transmission. It was a huge job with some setbacks from suppliers, but he never gave up and got the job done!
Date: March 10, 2026
Website: Google
Julie was wonderful to deal...
Anna Halford
Julie was wonderful to deal with. She helped us tremendously to get our son’s vehicle repaired. Would definitely recommend them for future services.
Date: March 10, 2026
Website: Google
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