Regular maintenance of your car’s transmission is essential, as repair or replacement can incur significant costs, subject to various factors. If you’re seeking assistance with repairing or replacing your car’s transmission, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Treasure Valley Auto Care, we’ll delve into valuable maintenance tips to extend your car’s transmission life. For further insights, please continue reading below.
What is a Car’s Transmission?
The transmission is one of the important components of a car. It plays an important role in the car’s ability to run. The transmission carries the engine power to the drive axle by using the different gears thus allowing the engine to operate at varying speeds.
Signs That Your Car’s Transmission Needs Repair or Replacement
- The transmission fluid emits a burnt odor.
- The engine emits unusual sounds such as humming, clunking, or grinding, especially noticeable in neutral gear.
- Clutch engagement persists during gear shifts, resulting in grinding noises.
- Gear shifts are not smooth, causing grinding or thumping sensations.
- The transmission unexpectedly slips into neutral or shifts between gears while the car is in motion.
- Gear changes or acceleration occur sluggishly.
What Are the Different Transmission Repair Services?
Transmission Fluid Change
There are two options for transmission fluid changes. The first is a full fluid exchange, performed as per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
The second option is a transmission fluid and filter change, also following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Keeping your transmission well-maintained involves regular transmission fluid changes every 30,000 miles or every two years.
Transmission Flush
Transmission flush is an essential transmission maintenance service. It involves removing accumulated dirt, contaminants, sludge, and grime from the transmission. A professional mechanic drains the old transmission oil and holds it in a machine while replenishing it with new transmission oil.
This process replaces all the old fluid, including that inside the torque converter. Sometimes, during a transmission flush, an additive or cleaning solution is used to thoroughly clean the transmission and eliminate built-up contaminants and sludge.
Transmission Repair or Replacement
In cases where the transmission fails or malfunctions, a professional mechanic may recommend either repair or replacement. It’s crucial to select a trustworthy auto repair shop like Treasure Valley Auto Care for your transmission repair or replacement needs.
Transmission repair may vary depending on different factors:
- Automatic or Manual – Manual transmission repairs are relatively cheaper compared to automatic transmission repairs.
- Car Make and Model – The car make and model can affect the cost of transmission repair. For example, standard domestic car models cost less than foreign-made cars and luxury car models.
- Damage – If the damage to the transmission is severe it could be more expensive to repair.
- Old or New – Older and classic cars can be difficult to find spare parts which can affect the repair costs accordingly. Newer cars have a lot of spare parts available in the market so it will be cheaper to repair.
Transmission repairs can be costly and it may vary depending on the type of the car and how old it is. The car must undergo regular maintenance to prevent transmission failure.
Here is a list of transmission maintenance tips that could extend the life of your car’s transmission:
Tips for Extending Your Car’s Transmission Life
Regularly Check Transmission Fluid
Just like checking the oil, monitoring transmission fluid is essential. With the engine idling, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, wait for a moment, and then check for an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is low, it may indicate a leak. Healthy transmission fluid should be bright red, clear, and have a sweet smell. If it appears dark, murky, or smells foul (like rotten fish), have it inspected by a professional mechanic immediately.
Use the Recommended Transmission Fluid
Refer to your car’s owner’s manual to identify the correct type of transmission fluid to use. If you’re uncertain, seek advice from a professional mechanic.
Regularly Inspect the Engine Cooling System
Your car’s cooling system is crucial for preventing engine overheating. It also plays a role in cooling the transmission fluid that circulates through the gearbox.
Schedule Regular Transmission Flushes
Generally, it’s advisable to have your transmission flushed every year. The lifespan of transmission fluid depends on factors like the car’s operating temperature and your driving habits. If you’re unsure about how to perform a transmission flush, consult an auto repair shop, especially if you lack experience in doing it yourself.
Avoid Shifting Gears While Moving
Always bring your car to a complete stop before shifting gears, whether from drive to reverse or vice versa. Failing to do so can strain the transmission, potentially causing serious issues in the long term.
Allow Proper Warm-Up
It’s crucial to let your engine warm up before driving, particularly during cold winter months. This helps ensure that all engine components, including the transmission, operate smoothly.
Limit Spare Tire Use
Spare tires often differ in size from regular tires. Prolonged use of a spare tire can lead to problems like wheel misalignment, which can place stress on the car’s transmission.
Regular Transmission Filter Changes
The transmission filter should be replaced regularly, ideally each time the transmission undergoes a flush.
Avoid Heavy Towing in Hot Climates
Towing heavy loads in hot conditions can cause the transmission fluid to overheat or oxidize, potentially damaging the transmission.
Annual Transmission Inspection
Arrange for a yearly transmission inspection at a reputable auto repair shop. This inspection should include checking for leaks, and assessing fluid level, color, and smell. Preventative maintenance can significantly extend your car’s transmission life.
Is your car’s transmission causing you problems? If you’re in Garden City, Idaho, you can count on Treasure Valley Auto Care for expert repair and replacement services. We service a wide range of car brands and models. If you have any questions about our services or would like to inquire further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can reach us at 208-385-0339 or drop us an email at quality@treasurevalleyautocare.com. Don’t delay – contact us today! When it comes to your transmission maintenance and repair needs, choose a trusted auto repair shop like Treasure Valley Auto Care.