The numbers and letters usually mean the following:
* Number of forward speeds. The number of forward speeds may include four, five, or six such as the GM 4T60-E four-speed unit and the ZF 5HP24 five-speed unit.
* Front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.The letter T usually means transverse (front-wheel-drive transaxle) such as the Chrysler 41-TE; the L means longitudinal (rear-wheel-drive transmission) such as the General Motors 6L80; and the R means rear wheel drivesuch as the Ford 5R55E.
* Electronically controlled.The letter E is often used to indicate that the unit is electronically
controlled, and M or H is used to designate older mechanically (hydraulically) controlled units. Most automatic transmissions built since the early 1990s are electronically controlled and therefore the E is often included in the designation of newer designs of transmission or transaxles.
* Torque rating. The torque rating is usually designated by a number where the higher the number, the higher the amount of torque load the unit is designed to handle. In a GM 6L80-E, the torque rating is 80.
Always check service information for the exact transmission designation for the vehicle being studied.