Drivetrain Loss Calculator
Calculate drivetrain power loss and estimate wheel horsepower based on engine horsepower and drivetrain type. Understand how much power actually reaches your wheels.
Step 1: Vehicle Details
Understanding Drivetrain Loss
Drivetrain loss refers to the power lost between the engine (crank) and the wheels. This loss occurs through the transmission, driveshaft, differential, and other components. Front-wheel drive typically has the lowest loss (10-15%), while all-wheel drive has the highest (15-25%).
Step 2: Additional Options
About Drivetrain Loss
Drivetrain loss is typically expressed as a percentage of engine power. The actual loss can vary based on vehicle age, maintenance, transmission type (manual vs automatic), and specific components. This calculator provides estimates based on typical industry values.
Drivetrain Loss Results
Estimated Wheel Horsepower
Drivetrain Power Loss Comparison
| Drivetrain Type | Typical Loss | Wheel HP | Power Loss | Efficiency |
|---|
Power Loss Breakdown
Wheel Horsepower Formula
Wheel HP = Engine HP × (1 – Drivetrain Loss Percentage)
To calculate wheel horsepower, multiply the engine horsepower by (1 minus the drivetrain loss percentage expressed as a decimal). For example: 300 HP with 12% loss = 300 × (1 – 0.12) = 264 HP.
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