Torque converters: fluid coupling and the lock-up clutch

Useful to know

A torque converter is a component of certain automatic transmissions that combines a hydrodynamic circuit and a lock-up clutch. ZF also considers torsion damping as part of the whole solution. [1]

This is a reason not to explain every mode in one sentence "power always goes through slippage". The locking connector and control change the operation according to the construction and conditions.

In the product example, the ZF associates the early inclusion of the locking clutch with the damping of the twisting oscillations at low revs. [1] This is a description of a specific technical solution, not a guarantee that each car will behave equally.

When comparing cars specify what type of transmission was used. The word "automatic" does not prove the presence of a torque converter: it describes the mode of management too general. For details, the exact designation of the transmission and its documentation is required.