Editing Dynaflow (section)

===Original version===
[[File:DynaflowBuick.jpg|thumb|Dynaflow (Buick)]]
The Dynaflow was an [[automatic transmission]] used in various forms in [[Buick]] cars by the [[General Motors Corporation]] from 1947 until 1963. The transmission initially used a five-element [[torque converter]], with two [[impeller]]s and two [[axial compressor|stator]]s, as well as a [[epicyclic gearing|planetary gearset]] that provided two forward speeds plus reverse. In normal driving, Dynaflow started in high gear (direct drive), relying on the converter's 3.1:1 torque multiplication<ref>{{Cite book |title=1963 Buick Chassis Service Manual}}</ref> to accelerate the vehicle. Low gear, obtained via the planetary gearset, could be manually engaged and held up to approximately {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, improving acceleration.<ref name="Flory, Jr. 2008"/>

The transmission was incapable of automatic shifting, requiring the driver to move the shift lever from low to drive to cause an upshift. Buicks equipped with the Dynaflow transmissions were unique among American automobiles of the time in that the driver or their passengers would not detect the tell-tale interruption in acceleration that resulted when other automatic transmissions of the time shifted through their gears. Acceleration through a Dynaflow was one smooth (if inefficient and slow<ref name="Flory, Jr. 2008"/>) experience. It was because of this slow acceleration that the Dynaflow transmission was nicknamed "Dynaslush."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1953-buick-super.htm |title=HowStuffWorks "Introduction to 1953 Buick Super" |website=Auto.howstuffworks.com |date=2007-11-26 |access-date=2011-11-20}}</ref>

The Dynaflow was an inherently inefficient design due to its sole reliance on the torque converter in normal driving. Exacerbating the situation was the dual stator arrangement, which wasted more power than the simpler three element converters used with other automatic transmissions, such as [[Chrysler Corporation|Chrysler]]'s [[TorqueFlite]]. The multiple stators increased turbulence in the converter, even when operating in the coupling phase.

[[File:Dynaflow converter.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Dynaflow torque converter with the five element parts labeled.]]