Torque Converter Clutch

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
63,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
ENG. ELIE SAADEH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Dear Sirs,
Please could you explain to me what the manufacturer Jeep means by the following paragraph mentioned in his catalog for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV: "A featured designed to improve fuel economy is included in all automatic transmissions. A clutch within the torque converter engages automatically at a calibrated speed at light throttle. It engages at higher speeds under heavier acceleration. This may result in a slightly different feeling or response during normal operation in high gear. When the vehicle speed drops below a calibrated speed, or during acceleration, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages. The feature is operational in Overdrive and in Drive."
Jan 30, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
WRENCHTECH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 20,761 POSTS
It sounds like they are just explaining how an "overrunning clutch" worked with the torque converter lock up. It disengages when not under power to allow unrestricted coasting to help fuel mileage. At moderate speeds the overdrive would disengage under heavier acceleration for better power and would remain engaged when the speed has exceeded the kickdown point.
Jan 30, 2011 at 1:33 PM