The powertrain sub-system refers to a set of automobile components that generate power for the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, shafts, wheels, etc.
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant describes the main components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air.
The powertrain can also include sensors and actuators to improve the rider’s comfort, reduce pollution caused by exhaust systems, increase fuel efficiency, and strengthen the vehicle’s safety.
Through these sensors and actuators, oil flow, cylinder pressure, speed, torque, angle, volume, position, and stability are measured and traced. Today’s powertrains are even equipped with advanced computer-aided controls of power efficiency, and they typically require that precise results be obtained in microseconds.
The powertrain sub-system includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive (drive wheels, continuous track as in military tanks or caterpillar tractors, propeller, etc.). Sometimes ‘powertrain’ refers to the engine and transmission, including the other components only if they are integral to the transmission.
The powertrain category trouble codes, which start with the letter P, include engine, transmission, and emission systems errors, fuel and air metering, and auxiliary emission control.
Below you will find all the trouble codes categories related to the powertrain:
- Emission control
- Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission control
- Transmission
- Fuel and air metering
- Fuel and air metering – injector circuit
- Ignition system or misfire
- Hybrid Propulsion
- ECM – computer output circuit
- Vehicle or idle speed control
Reference: In-Vehicle Networking: Protocols, Challenges, and Solutions by Jun Huang, Mingli Zhao, Yide Zhou, and Cong-Cong Xing