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Your search for a New Jersey Ram 1500 dealership might have been inspired by an iconic workhorse like the Ram 1500, but do you know the secret behind the Ram 1500’s capability? You might immediately think of the old television ad asking, “That thing got a HEMI?” However, there’s more to the Ram 1500’s capability than its heartbeat. We’re talking about Ram’s unique TorqueFlite transmission.
Before diving into what makes Ram’s TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission so impressive, it’s only fair to start with what a transmission does and how it works. Otherwise, it’s nothing but gibberish that does little for your search for the perfect Ram 1500. So, what exactly does a transmission do? And more specifically, what’s unique about the TorqueFlite transmission that’s been around since the 1950s? As your Ram authority, we’re here to answer those questions and more.
Transmissions 101
Understanding how a transmission works starts with knowing more about how an engine operates. First, the fuel ignites in the engine’s combustion chamber and causes gas and heat to expand in a miniature explosion. This explosion forces the pistons within the engine’s cylinders to move up and down, spinning the engine’s crankshaft with each movement. Then, as the crankshaft rotates, it turns the drive wheels and transforms the initial explosive energy into mechanical energy that propels your vehicle.
The many moving components of the engine make its operation loud and extremely hot. The transmission works like a safeguard for your engine, almost akin to keeping a leash on your dog to prevent it from running away. What do we mean? The transmission ensures the engine spins at the correct rate based on how much or how little you engage the accelerator pedal. Without the transmission, your engine would spin too fast, consuming excessive fuel and eventually vibrating itself into overexertion or overheating.
Transmissions harness the engine’s power and capability by using a range of gears, like the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission with its eight gears. An automatic transmission selects the appropriate gear based on your acceleration, shifting into a higher gear with increased speed. In contrast, manual transmissions require a little more input since you must engage the clutch at the appropriate time and shift into the correct gear. This rhythm between engaging the clutch and shifting gears provides a physical connection to the vehicle and is eventually learned by the feel and sound of the engine. For example, you’ll hear the engine struggle and feel the vehicle slow down at higher speeds when it’s time to switch to a higher gear.
Meet the Torqueflite Transmission
The TorqueFlite transmission has been a staple in the Chrysler lineup since the 1950s when Chrysler models were renowned for their three-speed transmissions that delivered smooth shifting and impressive longevity. Before long, the TorqueFlite built a reputation for being the best automatic transmission in the world. Variants of the TorqueFlite, like the A-727, were soon worldwide standards. The A-727 was praised for its lightweight design, making it ideal for drag racers, monster trucks, and off-road rigs. It even made its way under the hood of V8-powered sedans and heavy-duty workhorses, where its brute strength and reliability earned it high praise across the board.
Over the years, the TorqueFlite transmission only improved with time, especially in 2011 when Chrysler made headlines with the introduction of the first eight-speed automatic transmission produced on American soil. The TorqueFlite eight-speed was mated exclusively to Chrysler’s award-winning 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine on the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 2012 Dodge Charger, a welcome replacement to the five-speed automatic transmission in both models. So, what made the eight-speed TorqueFlite so revolutionary at the time?
Until 2011, eight-speed automatic transmissions were only found on high-end luxury vehicles from Rolls Royce, Range Rover, and Bentley. They weren’t readily available on your typical American car, especially not a Chrysler or Dodge. However, that changed in 2011 and gave Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, etc., a stronger foothold in the industry with the ability to deliver exceptional power and efficiency without making any structural changes to the current lineup. With fuel economy increased by 5% and emissions reduced by 11%, it was a win-win for everyone.
The TorqueFlite Impact
In 2014, Chrysler Group celebrated the inclusion of the TorqueFlite transmission in over one million vehicles worldwide by announcing its impact. Over three years, the eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission saved over 700 million gallons of fuel for a total savings of $2.5 billion for Chrysler Group customers. In addition, the transmission also reduced emissions by over six million metric tons, positively impacting the environment and reducing Chrysler Group’s and its customers’ carbon footprint.
The Latest TorqueFlite Transmissions
Ram introduced the latest generation of the eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission on the 2019 Ram 1500, which continues with the 2022 lineup. Ram trucks with the award-winning 3.6L Pentastar V6 rely on a TorqueFlite 850RE transmission. Models outfitted with the 5.7L V8 HEMI or the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 SRT (Ram 1500 TRX) come equipped with the TorqueFlite 8HP75 transmission. Both transmissions offer an excellent balance of power and efficiency, with the 8HP75 delivering a higher torque capacity for quick, crisp gear changes you’d expect of a heavy-duty workhorse or a speed demon like the TRX.
The next-generation TorqueFlite transmission introduced a new era of technology that allows the transmission to process data from the engine faster, generating a seamless response. The technology works with Ram’s eTorque mild hybrid system and relies on a shift-on-the-fly capability that enables the transmission to shift gears immediately based on accelerator feedback. But what does shift-on-the-fly mean in terms of mechanics?
Automatic transmissions traditionally rely on the mechanical linkage between the gear shift lever and transmission. The TorqueFlite transmission replaces these mechanical links, optimizing space and delivering effortless shift patterns by engaging a button or turning a knob. The result is immediate responsiveness, optimizing the engine’s performance at any speed or condition and giving drivers more control over the truck’s performance.
The transmission’s responsiveness is also a direct reflection of its 40 individual shift maps. This shifting strategy accounts for variables like hills, speed control, engagement of the electronic stability control feature, engine temperature, acceleration, gear downshifts, and changes in engine torque. This strategy means the transmission constantly evaluates the situation and the engine’s operation to ensure you have the power you need exactly when you need it.
What Torqueflite Means for You
Chrysler’s TorqueFlite transmission is legendary in the automotive industry, proving that drivers can enjoy power and performance without excessive fuel consumption. The debut of the eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission in 2011 took Chrysler and its sibling brands to the next level by making a transmission that was once only available in luxury brands now accessible to the masses. So, what was the result? Tremendous savings and legendary performance.
Today, your search for a Ram 1500 truck guarantees you’ll reap the benefits of the TorqueFlite transmission. By design, the TorqueFlite’s wide gear range delivers almost imperceptible gear changes, optimizes performance, and reduces overall fuel consumption and emissions. With Chrysler reporting the TorqueFlite transmission saved customers over $2.5 billion in fuel between 2011 and 2014, you can only imagine the savings after a decade and what that will mean for you once you’re behind the wheel of a legend like the Ram 1500.
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