When Should You Get Transmission Service?

Noticing shifting issues lately?  Many car drivers really don’t think too much about their transmission until they start to notice issues while shifting gears.  That’s when drivers start to worry about the cost of a potential transmission repair.  Because transmission components are subjected reliably to friction and high temperatures, clean fluid is vital to keep them lubricated, which helps to prevent extreme friction and overheating.  

So when should you get transmission service?  Do you want to flush the entire transmission unit, or simply replace the transmission fluid?  Many transmission repair specialists will say that transmission fluid never wants to be changed while others may recommend changing it about every 50K miles.  A good compromise is to have your transmission fluid inspected between 50K and 100K miles to make sure it’s still effective.  Even if it is considered to be what’s called “lifespan” transmission fluid, moisture and dust can still contaminate it by getting into the vent tubes. 

What is the difference between a transmission fluid change and a transmission flush, you ask?  

During a transmission fluid change, only about 40 to 50% of the fluid really drains out.  The rest of it remains in the valves and other parts of the transmission.  By comparison, a transmission flush service totally removes all of the old fluid which is then replaced with fresh fluid.  Though, flushing a transmission, rather than simply changing the fluid, is only recommended if the fluid is in good condition and shows no signs of damage. If there is transmission material in the fluid, it can cause issues in the valves, leading to an expensive transmission repair.

Ask your auto mechanic to inspect the color of your vehicle’s transmission fluid on a regular basis.  The bright pink color indicates it is still fresh and does not want to be changed. Light brown means it would be good to change it.  Though, if the transmission fluid is a dark brown color, it means it has possibly never been changed.  In addition, it could have metal particles in it from the transmission floating around.  If this is the case, you could be looking at an expensive transmission repair. 

Tip to Remember:  Because all vehicles are different, read the transmission service guidelines in your owner’s manual to find what is recommended for your vehicle!  

Do you want to know more about when should you get transmission service?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about the transmission repair service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

What Causes a Transmission to go Bad?

As an essential part of a vehicle's mechanical make-up, the transmission is responsible for allowing the vehicle to move, transferring the engine’s power to the wheels while regulating engine speed.  The transmission is made up of a variety of interrelated parts and mechanisms. These parts can develop several issues that can cause the transmission to fail, resulting in an expensive transmission repair.

So what causes a transmission to go bad?  Here are some important problems to watch for:

1. Leaking transmission fluid.  Look for signs of a transmission fluid leak (usually red in color) near the drain plug or seal between the transmission and the engine.  Low automatic transmission fluid, one of the most common causes of a slipping transmission, reduces the hydraulic pressure compulsory to properly shift.  If there’s not enough fluid or it is starting to lose its effectiveness in lubricating and cooling, the transmission will perform poorly or stop working altogether.
2. Clogged transmission fluid filter.  This filter helps keep the transmission fluid clean and of high quality. Unobstructed transmission fluid flow is compulsory for the optimal operation and function of an automatic transmission, including the bands and gears.  If the filter becomes clogged, it prevents the normal flow of fluid, preventing the fluid to lubricate and cool the transmission components.
3. Broken transmission bands.  An automatic transmission uses a series of small rubberized transmission bands to synchronize gear operation. Transmission bands that are too tight can cause premature wear of the gears and cause the bands to break; bands that are too loose can cause gear slippage and a situation where a gear fails to engage properly
4. Broken transmission gears.  In rare instances, transmission gears can break which prevents normal shifting and disrupts the normal rotation of the transmission drive axle.
5. Faulty Torque Converter.  The torque converter pumps and pressurizes transmission fluid throughout the entire transmission system.   A faulty torque converter prevents the fluid from being pressurized and propelled throughout the transmission, thus allowing gears to slip out of place or operate erratically.
6. Ruptured Transmission Seals.  Ruptured or faulty seals can allow the fluid to leak, resulting in serious damage.

Are you wondering what causes a transmission to go bad?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about the transmission repair service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?

You may be wondering just what is the purpose of transmission fluid?  It keeps the surfaces and components of the transmission system lubricated to prevent excessive friction and overheating that would lead to transmission issues.  It also serves as a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.  

So, when should transmission fluid be changed?  Technically, transmission fluid could remain in your vehicle without ever changing it.  Though, you will find that most auto repair mechanics advise that you should have a transmission flush about every 50,000 miles.  Over time, the components of transmission will wear out and start to present issues, such as the problems described below:

1. Delayed Shifting.  There may be a temporary delay after you move the gear stick to reverse. The gear change cannot be activated instantly if there isn’t sufficient pressure. 
2. Difficult or Erratic Shifting.  If there is a lot of dirt or residue in the transmission fluid, the gears will either change too fast or too slow. Other symptoms include abrupt up/down shifts, unusually high RPMs before a shift, erratic shifting, and groaning or grinding noise coming from the transmission.  
3. Gear Slippage.  You may change gear, but then it appears to fall back out of that gear. The friction material on the clutches and transmission bands are no longer able to securely engage a gear. 
4. Transmission Overheats.  In an automatic, the transmission fluid keeps the transmission unit from overheating.  If overheating occurs, pull over instantly and let everything cool down. If the temperatures get to be over 240°F, serious damage could have taken place inside the transmission unit.

Tip to Remember:  At least once a month, have the transmission fluid inspected to see if it has the appropriate level or it still effective.  If you put a lot of miles on your vehicle or tow heavy loads, have it inspected at least every two weeks. 

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about transmission repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.