SOS Mechanic Certificate - Automatic Transmission
Section 1 Test: Chapter 1,2,3 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2024
Which of the following DOES NOT describe the purpose of a vehicle's drivetrain? - CORRECT ANSWER-It
increases the power available to the drive wheels.
Power is created in the engine (and/or motor) the drivetrain is responsible for taking the power from the
engine and transferring it to the wheels.
Which of the following can be used to multiply torque? - CORRECT ANSWER-pulleys, gears levers
Which of the following IS NOT a true statement about gear ratios?
Note: One of the book answers was eliminated as it was misleading. A high (numerical) ratio allows for
greater torque multiplication. - CORRECT ANSWER-in gear systems, speed reduction means torque
decreases
The engine's power is transmitted to the transmission through a fluid coupler, called the: - CORRECT
ANSWER-torque converter
Most automatic transmission equipped models use torque converters but there are a few models that
have incorporated a start clutch
While discussing engine vacuum:
Technician A says it always increases as engine load decreases.
Technician B says it is highest at deceleration.
Who is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER-both
Engine vacuum is used in many of the powertrain control systems to determine the load on the engine
Technician A says through selection of the proper gear ratio, torque applied to the drive wheels can be
optimized.
Technician B says increasing the number of forward speeds decreases fuel consumption, and exhaust
emissions.
Who is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER-tech A
, Technician A says synthetic ATF is normally a darker red than petroleum-based fluid.
Technician B says synthetic fluids tend to look and smell burnt after normal use; therefore the
appearance and smell of these fluids is not a good indicator of the fluid's condition.
Note: This question makes generalizations regarding fluids. Review the section: Primary Function Of
Automatic Transmission Fluid on Pages 30-32. - CORRECT ANSWER-both
The critical nature of using the correct ATF cannot be stressed enough based on the complexity and
features in current model transmissions. Make sure any fluid used meets all of the manufacturers
requirements.
While discussing the purpose of a differential:
Technician A says it allows for equal wheel speed while the vehicle is rounding a corner or curve.
Technician B says the ring and pinion in the differential multiply the torque it receives from the
transmission.
Who is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER-tech B
Which gears are best suited for quiet, high-speed, low-thrust applications when heavy loads are applied?
- CORRECT ANSWER-herringbone.
The herringbone gears are best suited for quiet, high-speed, low-thrust applications when heavy loads
are applied but are also the most expensive and least used in automotive applications.
Technician A says 4WD vehicles typically use a transfer case to transfer engine torque to both front and
rear driving axles.
Technician B says 4WD vehicles normally have two transmissions, two driveshafts, and two differentials.
Who is correct?
Note: If Tech A's 4WD vehicle is on dry pavement it should be selected to 2WD position (only sending
power to the rear drive axle) or drive line wind-up would occur that could damage the drivetrain, and if
it is an AWD then Tech A is correct. Tech B says that the 4WD vehicles normally has 2 transmissions
which should be wrong but the transfer case is described in the glossary on Page 407 as "an auxiliary
transmission" which seems confusing.
The correct answer is: Technician A only - CORRECT ANSWER-tech A
While discussing ways to prevent fires:
Section 1 Test: Chapter 1,2,3 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2024
Which of the following DOES NOT describe the purpose of a vehicle's drivetrain? - CORRECT ANSWER-It
increases the power available to the drive wheels.
Power is created in the engine (and/or motor) the drivetrain is responsible for taking the power from the
engine and transferring it to the wheels.
Which of the following can be used to multiply torque? - CORRECT ANSWER-pulleys, gears levers
Which of the following IS NOT a true statement about gear ratios?
Note: One of the book answers was eliminated as it was misleading. A high (numerical) ratio allows for
greater torque multiplication. - CORRECT ANSWER-in gear systems, speed reduction means torque
decreases
The engine's power is transmitted to the transmission through a fluid coupler, called the: - CORRECT
ANSWER-torque converter
Most automatic transmission equipped models use torque converters but there are a few models that
have incorporated a start clutch
While discussing engine vacuum:
Technician A says it always increases as engine load decreases.
Technician B says it is highest at deceleration.
Who is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER-both
Engine vacuum is used in many of the powertrain control systems to determine the load on the engine
Technician A says through selection of the proper gear ratio, torque applied to the drive wheels can be
optimized.
Technician B says increasing the number of forward speeds decreases fuel consumption, and exhaust
emissions.
Who is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER-tech A
, Technician A says synthetic ATF is normally a darker red than petroleum-based fluid.
Technician B says synthetic fluids tend to look and smell burnt after normal use; therefore the
appearance and smell of these fluids is not a good indicator of the fluid's condition.
Note: This question makes generalizations regarding fluids. Review the section: Primary Function Of
Automatic Transmission Fluid on Pages 30-32. - CORRECT ANSWER-both
The critical nature of using the correct ATF cannot be stressed enough based on the complexity and
features in current model transmissions. Make sure any fluid used meets all of the manufacturers
requirements.
While discussing the purpose of a differential:
Technician A says it allows for equal wheel speed while the vehicle is rounding a corner or curve.
Technician B says the ring and pinion in the differential multiply the torque it receives from the
transmission.
Who is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER-tech B
Which gears are best suited for quiet, high-speed, low-thrust applications when heavy loads are applied?
- CORRECT ANSWER-herringbone.
The herringbone gears are best suited for quiet, high-speed, low-thrust applications when heavy loads
are applied but are also the most expensive and least used in automotive applications.
Technician A says 4WD vehicles typically use a transfer case to transfer engine torque to both front and
rear driving axles.
Technician B says 4WD vehicles normally have two transmissions, two driveshafts, and two differentials.
Who is correct?
Note: If Tech A's 4WD vehicle is on dry pavement it should be selected to 2WD position (only sending
power to the rear drive axle) or drive line wind-up would occur that could damage the drivetrain, and if
it is an AWD then Tech A is correct. Tech B says that the 4WD vehicles normally has 2 transmissions
which should be wrong but the transfer case is described in the glossary on Page 407 as "an auxiliary
transmission" which seems confusing.
The correct answer is: Technician A only - CORRECT ANSWER-tech A
While discussing ways to prevent fires:
