im not too sure and ive never got a definitive answer from anyone.
-Borsty
tq conveter lock up is just that , there is a clutch inside that locks up part of the tq converter
normally a internal piece of it spins the oppsite direction as the rest , and on lock everything spins the same , pretty much like on a manual when you take you foot off the pedal it locks up
Eric is right. It is when the torque converter spins at a 1:1 ratio it is fully engaged. Most are about 2500 on 4 cylinders.
-Aaron
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It is a large, flat cylindrical disc that has a circular band of friction type material on the back.
When applied, every piece of the converter will be moving together. This means that there is no RPM loss and no torque multiplication. Perfect for the highway! It saves you fuel.
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Think manual transmission. When you apply the clutch, you lock the input shaft to the motor. Same idea, but on an automatic. No fluid loss, the tranny is "locked" to the engine speed. Neat stuff. That's why the fuel economy on the newer automatics is just as good, if not better, than the 5 speeds (once it's locked up).
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Good Job on that one, Lenko!
The TC clutch plate also has some dampening springs in it like the manual trans ASM.
Of course, Autos have to get worse gas mileage. We keep them in gear while sitting at the light. The motor has to consume more fuel during all this time.
Then, there is loss from the converter in normal driving. But this difference in RPM is what makes up for autos not having as much as a final drive ratio!
That is the price we have to pay for the luxury of an automatic shift, no clutch pedal while at the light, and the security of not stalling out on hills or rolling back. Auto takes some of the havoc out of pulling a heavy trailer!
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