3 ms·
Locked means a regular, slip-free friction clutch housed inside the torque converter. Unless that clutch slips (which would be a mechanical failure), then there
by arghwhat 8y ago
Locked means a regular, slip-free friction clutch housed inside the torque converter. Unless that clutch slips (which would be a mechanical failure), then there will be no slippage during heavy acceleration.
The torque converter is most likely to handle a bit of slippage at low speeds, or just to provide a smoother activation than slamming a clutch. It's also supposedly a low-slip converter, unlike the normal "comfort" type.
- taneq 8y agoI think it's literally just there to allow the engine to idle when the car's stationary. Otherwise it'd stall since it's direct drive gearing. With a redline at 8250rpm at 249mph, that gives you ~600rpm (which many V8s can idle comfortably at) at 20mph and ~1500rpm at 45mph. I'd expect it to lock somewhere around 45mph and be effectively a rigid connection above that. Edit: From TFA the hydraulic coupling starts to engage around 30mph, so not a bad guess. :)