Which technician is correct regarding gear sizes in a transaxle?

First gear in a transaxle typically uses smaller drive gears in conjunction with larger driven gears. This setup allows for greater torque multiplication, which is essential for moving a vehicle from a complete stop or for climbing steep inclines. The smaller drive gear turns faster than the larger driven gear, thereby increasing the output torque.

In contrast, as the gears progress to higher speeds, the gear sizes adjust to maintain proper vehicle speed and efficiency. In fourth gear, the relationship shifts toward a more direct drive system that often involves gears of similar size or the driven gear being smaller to facilitate higher speeds without excessive engine RPM.

By stating that first gear employs a smaller drive gear and a larger driven gear, the first technician is correctly identifying the design principle behind low-speed power delivery in manual transaxles.