What component is primarily responsible for the vehicle's power transfer to the wheels?

The component primarily responsible for the vehicle's power transfer to the wheels is the transmission. The transmission plays a critical role in controlling the engine's power and directing it to the drive axle, which ultimately drives the wheels. By adjusting gear ratios, the transmission ensures that the engine operates efficiently at different speeds and loads, providing the necessary torque to move the vehicle effectively.

The clutch is involved in connecting and disconnecting the engine from the transmission, allowing for smooth gear changes but does not independently transfer power to the wheels. The drive axle transmits power from the transmission to the wheels but is reliant on the transmission to receive that power in the first place. The torque converter, found in automatic transmissions, enables the transfer of engine power to the transmission but serves more as an intermediary than as the primary means of power transfer.