My daughter recently purchased a used car with a 3 month/3000 mile warranty from the dealer. That is for only the “power train” and they further define it as parts that must be lubricated.
Three weeks after getting the car (2002 Toyota Matrix stick shift) the clutch went out. Is the clutch part of the power train? The mechanic also said that the fly wheel may be out - what’s that?
Do all cars have the same stuff considered power train or does it vary between cars?
Thanks to all the car people out there who might know this.
I would consider that powertrain to be any part between the engine (including the engine) and the wheels.
This would include the automatic transmission (or clutch and transmission), drive shaft, differential, and possibly the axles. Your manufacturer may have a different definition, but I can’t see any way that the clutch isn’t in the powertrain.
I always consider the engine and transmission the power train so the clutch counts under the warranty. I believe for all new cars the owners manual defines the power train for warranty purposes because it’s common for the power train warranty to last longer than the car warranty.
Not directly related to a car warranty, but I work for a tractor dealership selling new Ag tractors and we have a “powertrain” warranty on our equipment. Usually a new tractor will have a 2 year/2000 hour full warranty and a 3 year/3000 hour powertrain warranty.
By our definition, a powertrain warranty is:
Powertrain Warranty - Engine: cylinder block, cylinder head, valve covers, oil pan, timing gear covers, flywheel housing, and all parts contained therein (does not include fuel, electrical, cooling, intake or exhaust components). Powertrain: hydrostatic transmission, transmission case, differential and axle housings, clutch housings, MFWD front axle assembly, and all parts contained therein (does not include external drivelines, dry clutch parts, or steering cylinders).
Usually clutches are not covered by the powertrain warranty because of potential operator abuse (popping or riding the clutch, inproper gear selection causing clutch slippage etc.). However, if the clutch fails because of damage from a covered source, it should be covered also. Example - rear main seal or transmission seal leaks and soaks the clutch with oil or flywheel breaks and pieces get into clutch.
As I said, this is on tractors not cars but maybe it will be of some help.
Ouch… “parts that must be lubricated” bit of a nasty definition there… with the “must” they could claim it’s the engine and transmission, nothing else.
I would consider Powertrain to include anything from the engine to the differential… and I believe that’s a pretty common definition. Well, apart from unscrupulous used car salesmen that sell junk to unsuspecting customers; THEY might define it as the train that runs next to the power station ever Wednesday.
A flywheel… it’s a spinning disk thingy. Or more accurately it’s a rotational energy storage device that’s used to smooth out the power output of a reciprocating engine, the last part of the engine… the one that the clutch makes contact with to transfer power to the transmission; in other words… about $400 plus labor.
There really shouldn’t be any reason the flywheel or the clutch wouldn’t be a part of the powertrain, they’re trying to cheat you if they say otherwise.