griz75

griz75 t1_ixzad8t wrote

Reply to ELI5 how automatic cars avoid chewing up first gear by neonpablo

Its called a torque converter. Simplest way to explain it is that its an automatic clutch that engages/disengages the transmission. At low rpms with the brakes pressed it slips so the transmission sits idle. They are designed to require certain amounts of torgue to engage the transmission to make it work.

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