I've thought about this for the past day and this is the best I could come up with. Probably not right but I'll shoot my shot in the dark:  

>! **DRIVELINE**  

*My beginning is the first part of a type or an action.  
For type, two is normal, some use more for different traction.*  
>! "DRI-" is the first part of "drive", which refers to FWD, RWD, 4WD or AWD, different types of powertrains that affect a car's traction and off-roadability. Drive is therefore both a type and an action. Most pedestrian cars have FWD or RWD ("two is normal")


*My middle is the first part of a well-known abbreviation.  
It's included in things from Zamboni to Aviation.*
>! "-vel-" is the first part and abbreviation of "velocity", which both a Zamboni and airplanes have.

*My ending is the first part of a very popular article.
To see it is simple, definitely larger than a particle.*
>! "-ine"? This one could be anything. What is an article in this context?

*So cleverly together, my pieces do raise.  
Though first, I'm usually the last to get praise.*  
>! Though the driveline is the "first" to deliver power to the wheels, it's pretty much never praised by car critics, who instead prefer to appraise engine/power, aesthetics, or handling. Unsure about "pieces do raise".

As for the hints,
>! The beginning/middle/end are each three letters long, and they don't overlap.