The term "axle ratio" refers to the numerical relationship between the drive shaft and the wheel. It is calculated by dividing the number of teeth on the wheel's rim by the number of teeth on the drive shaft. The result determines how fast or slow a vehicle will accelerate, as well as its overall fuel efficiency. A higher axle ratio means that there are fewer teeth on the drive shaft compared to the wheels, resulting in faster acceleration and lower fuel economy. Conversely, a lower axle ratio has more teeth on the drive shaft than the wheels, leading to slower acceleration but better fuel efficiency.