{"id":887,"date":"2022-02-22T04:04:07","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T04:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/?p=887"},"modified":"2022-02-22T04:04:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T04:04:09","slug":"what-does-a-flywheel-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does a Flywheel Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The flywheel is one of the most important components in your car, despite the fact that you may not have the foggiest idea what it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-888\" width=\"718\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 718px) 100vw, 718px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s about to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a quick breakdown of this ingenious piece of automotive technology and the pivotal role it plays under the hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#What_Is_a_Flywheel\" title=\"What Is a Flywheel?\">What Is a Flywheel?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#Where_Is_the_Flywheel_Located\" title=\"Where Is the Flywheel Located?\">Where Is the Flywheel Located?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#What_Is_the_Purpose_of_a_Flywheel\" title=\"What Is the Purpose of a Flywheel?\">What Is the Purpose of a Flywheel?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#What_Does_a_Flywheel_Do_in_a_Manual_Transmission\" title=\"What Does a Flywheel Do in a Manual Transmission?\">What Does a Flywheel Do in a Manual Transmission?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#What_Does_a_Flywheel_Do_in_an_Automatic_Transmission\" title=\"What Does a Flywheel Do in an Automatic Transmission?\">What Does a Flywheel Do in an Automatic Transmission?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#Advantages_of_a_Flywheel_in_a_Car\" title=\"Advantages of a Flywheel in a Car\">Advantages of a Flywheel in a Car<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/what-does-a-flywheel-do\/#Flywheel_FAQs\" title=\"Flywheel FAQs\">Flywheel FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-flywheel\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_Flywheel\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Is a Flywheel?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In automotive engineering, a flywheel is a large metal disc designed to store rotational energy generated by the engine and transfer it to the vehicle\u2019s drivetrain system. Its primary job is to ensure that the engine runs smoothly and provides regulated output to other power-dependent parts, such as the drive wheels and the transmission.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flywheels have been around in one form or another since the early 11th century, and they\u2019re one of the main reasons that cars, trucks, and other automobiles have continued chugging on down the path of progress since they were first introduced to the internal combustion engine a few hundred years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-is-the-flywheel-located\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Is_the_Flywheel_Located\"><\/span><a><\/a>Where Is the Flywheel Located?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The flywheel sits just outside the engine compartment at the rear of the engine, where it\u2019s bookended by the clutch and transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t be able to eyeball your car\u2019s flywheel just by popping the hood\u2014it\u2019s bolted directly to the crankshaft and hidden from view by a protective plate. This plate must be removed in order to provide access to the disc and its neighboring components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-purpose-of-a-flywheel\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Purpose_of_a_Flywheel\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Is the Purpose of a Flywheel?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, you now have a better sense of what an automotive flywheel is and where it\u2019s located. But just what does this gizmo <em>do<\/em>, exactly? A whole lot, as it turns out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-vehicles-have-flywheels\"><a><\/a>Why Vehicles Have Flywheels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Flywheels store, deliver, and modulate the vast amounts of rotational energy generated by the dynamic processes that power the internal combustion engine. In other words, they\u2019re responsible for making sure that the engine keeps everything moving the way it\u2019s supposed to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistent power distribution is imperative, as without it, your vehicle would drive in a much choppier manner and you\u2019d have difficulty maintaining a fixed speed on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"working-mechanism\"><a><\/a>Working Mechanism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A flywheel is essentially just a big, heavy wheel that turns freely around a rotating shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without getting too technical, modern car engines have an operating cycle consisting of <a href=\"https:\/\/courses.washington.edu\/engr100\/Section_Wei\/engine\/UofWindsorManual\/Four%20Stroke%20Cycle%20Engines.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">four distinct piston strokes<\/a>: the intake stroke, the compression stroke, the ignition stroke, and the power stroke (there\u2019s also an unofficial fifth stroke, the exhaust stroke).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The power stroke is where most of the \u201coomph\u201d is produced, with the other strokes being relatively subdued. Without a suitable buffer, this peak in power would cause the movement of the drivetrain to speed up and slow down continually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where the flywheel comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The unique design and considerable heft of this free-spinning disc imbue it with a property known as \u201cmoment of inertia.\u201d A flywheel\u2019s moment of inertia enables it to resist changes in rotational speed and revolve at a constant rate, thereby evening out the engine\u2019s intermittent surges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty neat, huh?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"parts-attached-to-a-flywheel\"><a><\/a>Parts Attached to a Flywheel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The flywheel is bolted directly to the engine crankshaft, with the clutch or torque converter and the rest of the transmission system on the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of its situation and role in regulating drivetrain function, it\u2019s usually considered part of the transmission, although it has a proverbial hand in many varied aspects of automotive performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-if-there-were-no-flywheels-in-vehicles\"><a><\/a>What if There Were No Flywheels in Vehicles?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Without a flywheel to smooth things out, you would feel a perceptible jerk every time your vehicle\u2019s engine completed the power stroke of its rotational cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only that, but your car would eventually die (probably sooner than later), as the flywheel\u2019s other primary duty is to recycle power back into the engine to keep the operating cycle going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-does-a-flywheel-do-in-a-manual-transmission\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_a_Flywheel_Do_in_a_Manual_Transmission\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Does a Flywheel Do in a Manual Transmission?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In manual transmission vehicles, the flywheel serves to direct power both to and from the engine and from the engine to the transmission system. Without it, the driver would be completely unable to travel at a steady speed, change gears, or do much of anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-889\" width=\"683\" height=\"455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Flywheel2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-does-a-flywheel-do-in-an-automatic-transmission\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_a_Flywheel_Do_in_an_Automatic_Transmission\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Does a Flywheel Do in an Automatic Transmission?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Automatic vehicles make use of a variation on the traditional flywheel known as a \u201cflexplate.\u201d The flexplate connects the engine to the torque converter and allows the starter to turn the engine over on startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"advantages-of-a-flywheel-in-a-car\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advantages_of_a_Flywheel_in_a_Car\"><\/span><a><\/a>Advantages of a Flywheel in a Car<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The flywheel isn\u2019t only there to level out the engine. They also perform or assist in an assortment of other crucial actions. For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"it-helps-start-the-car\"><a><\/a>It Helps Start the Car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, the flexplate variation of the flywheel makes it possible to start automatic transmission vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"it-allows-the-car-to-run-smoother\"><a><\/a>It Allows the Car to Run Smoother<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the engine is active, the flywheel levels out spikes in combustive power to guarantee a seamless and responsive ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"it-sustains-the-engine\"><a><\/a>It Sustains the Engine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The flywheel absorbs the energy produced during the engine\u2019s power stroke and feeds that energy back into the engine during other strokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"it-powers-the-transmission\"><a><\/a>It Powers the Transmission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The flywheel also acts as an intermediary between the engine and the transmission system, taking a portion of the energy harvested from the former and channeling it into the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"flywheel-faqs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flywheel_FAQs\"><\/span><a><\/a>Flywheel FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking to become better acquainted with your vehicle\u2019s flywheel? You\u2019d do well to look over these answers for some of the most-asked questions concerning flywheels and their function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-the-signs-of-a-bad-flywheel\"><a><\/a>What Are the Signs of a Bad Flywheel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the telltale symptoms of a flywheel on the fritz include (but are not limited to):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Trouble starting your vehicle<\/li><li>Clutch chatter (intense vibrations in the clutch)<\/li><li>Inability to change gears<\/li><li>Frequent gear slippage<\/li><li>A burning odor<\/li><li>Unexplained engine shaking or revving<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Any of these issues can be a cause for concern on its own, but if you find yourself afflicted by more than one at a time, it\u2019s a good idea to take your vehicle in for a check-up ASAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"can-you-drive-with-a-bad-flywheel\"><a><\/a>Can You Drive With a Bad Flywheel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While it\u2019s possible (though certainly not advisable) to roll with a bum flywheel, you&#8217;ll no doubt notice a difference in the way your car drives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assuming you manage to get it started in the first place, you might feel like the engine or clutch is vibrating to an alarming degree, or you might discover that you can\u2019t shift gears as easily. In the worst-case scenario, you may find that you\u2019re unable to change gears at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you\u2019re fortunate enough not to experience any of the above-mentioned defects, you\u2019ll likely feel your engine surging throughout its operating cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-torque-spec-for-flywheel-bolts\"><a><\/a>What Is the Torque Spec for Flywheel Bolts?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most manufacturers recommend tightening flywheel and flexplate bolts to a torque setting somewhere between 65 and 75 foot-pounds (the standard unit to measure torque). Some, however, issue substantially higher torque specs. The suggested value generally depends on the exact size of the wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Failure to torque your vehicle\u2019s flywheel to spec could result in damage to the bolt or gradual loosening and displacement of the tensioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-flywheel\"><a><\/a>How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Flywheel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a faulty flywheel replaced is not a one-size-fits-all project in terms of price. This routine job could end up costing you anywhere from $500 to $1,200, depending on a few different factors, most of which will be out of your control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bulk of the expense, for example, will be determined by the type of vehicle you drive, the size, weight, and material of the flywheel you need, and whether you opt for an OEM or aftermarket part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s before you include labor. Making sure your automotive specialist is fairly compensated for their time and efforts could run you an additional $100-500.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The flywheel is one of the most important components in your car, despite the fact that you may not have the foggiest idea what it&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-engine","wpcat-8-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=887"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1425,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887\/revisions\/1425"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}