2.96 Axle Ration option?

[KSNeptune]

On my window sticker, under "Options Installed by Manufacturer", it lists "2.96 Axle Ratio". No price (.00) associated with it.My questions are: Do all base Vibes come with that same "option"? If not, what were the other options?If all base vibes come with that axle ration, why is it an option?My Vibe has the automatic, so perhaps the axle ration is related to which transmission you get. Did anyone with the 5speed also get this 2.96 axle ratio?Just curious.KSNeptune

[KSNeptune]

OK, so if both base vibes (auto and manual) have the same axle ratio, why is it an option?And what exactly does this number mean? Is it as simple as "for every 2.96 revolutions of the drive shaft, the axle rotates 1 time? KSNeptune

[NSimkins]

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=224

[NovaResource]

quote:OK, so if both base vibes (auto and manual) have the same axle ratio, why is it an option?No, only the FWD auto has the 2.96 final drive ratio (axle ratio).Auto (2WD) = 2.96Auto (AWD) = 4.245-speed manual = 3.946-speed manual (GT only) = 4.53 The 2.96 axle ratio is a standard option with the FWD automatic option only.The final drive ratio is the ratio between the trans output and the axle output half-shafts to the wheels. For every 2.96 turns of the trans output shaft, the wheels turn 1 time. You divide the engine rpm by the gear ratio then by the final drive ratio to get the wheel rpm. For example the base with a 5-speed manual:1st gear: 3.172nd gear: 1.903rd gear: 1.314th gear: 0.895th gear: 0.73Reverse gear: 3.25Final Drive Ratio: 3.94At 6400-rpm in first gear you get:6400-rpm / 3.17 / 3.25 = 621-rpm (or approx 45 mph)At 6400-rpm in second gear you get:6400-rpm / 1.90 / 3.25 = 1036-rpm (or approx 75 mpg)etc...

[rubberman]

no wonder the base car is a dog in 5 gear. fourth gear should have been fifth so what if the car only gets 40mpg instead of 47 mpg

[Jucky78]

Hello guys,up bhulekh
The 2.96 Axle Ratio option provides enhanced performance and fuel efficiency for your vehicle. By choosing this option, you can experience smoother acceleration, improved towing capabilities, and reduced engine strain, leading to overall better mileage. Whether you're hauling heavy loads or simply cruising down the highway, the 2.96 Axle Ratio ensures optimal performance tailored to your driving needs. It's a smart choice for those seeking a balanced blend of power, efficiency, and versatility in their vehicle.

[sabnam2]

Hello guys,up bhulekh
The 2.96 Axle Ratio option provides enhanced performance and fuel efficiency for your vehicle. By choosing this option, you can experience smoother acceleration, improved towing capabilities, and reduced engine strain, leading to overall better mileage. Whether you're hauling heavy loads or simply cruising down the highway, the 2.96 Axle Ratio ensures optimal performance tailored to your driving needs. It's a smart choice for those seeking a balanced blend of power, efficiency, and versatility in their vehicle.

Please let me know how a 2.96 axle ratio improves vehicle performance and fuel efficiency compared to other options. Specifically, how does it affect acceleration, towing capacity, and overall drivability?

[joatmon]

Please let me know how a 2.96 axle ratio improves vehicle performance and fuel efficiency compared to other options. Specifically, how does it affect acceleration, towing capacity, and overall drivability?

Jucky's response sound like some advertising blurb copied from somewhere. For the most part, the axle ratio needs to be taken into account with the tranny's gear ratios as a complete gear set. See NovaResource's reply (reformatted below) I miss Nova, he was an invaluable resource here

For me, axle ratios make more sense in rear wheel drive cars, where, if options exist, you could swap out the rear for a different one, in these cars it'd be easier to just swap complete transaxles than the internal axle gears.

Typically, acceleration and towing capability should be better with lower overall gear ratio. But that also means higher RPMs per MPH, so fuel economy goes down when gear ratio does. But these cars aren't designed for maximum acceleration or towing power. When I bought my first 03, it was the best MPG for a car made in the USA at that time. Could have bought quicker or stronger ones, but I was driving a LOT back then and MPGs were very important.

I have no ability to understand why an engineer would pick certain individual gear ratios in order to get a particular overall gear ratio, and I'm not going back to school to learn mechanical engineering

quote:OK, so if both base vibes (auto and manual) have the same axle ratio, why is it an option?
No, only the FWD auto has the 2.96 final drive ratio (axle ratio).
Auto (2WD) = 2.96
Auto (AWD) = 4.24
5-speed manual = 3.94
6-speed manual (GT only) = 4.53
The 2.96 axle ratio is a standard option with the FWD automatic option only.
The final drive ratio is the ratio between the trans output and the axle output half-shafts to the wheels. For every 2.96 turns of the trans output shaft, the wheels turn 1 time. You divide the engine rpm by the gear ratio then by the final drive ratio to get the wheel rpm.
For example the base with a 5-speed manual:
1st gear: 3.17
2nd gear: 1.90
3rd gear: 1.31
4th gear: 0.89
5th gear: 0.73
Reverse gear: 3.25
Final Drive Ratio: 3.94
At 6400-rpm in first gear you get:
6400-rpm / 3.17 / 3.25 = 621-rpm (or approx 45 mph)
At 6400-rpm in second gear you get:
6400-rpm / 1.90 / 3.25 = 1036-rpm (or approx 75 mph)
etc...