If you are like most people, the very thought of a transmission servce conjures visions of junkyards, used car salesmen and empty bank accounts. The fact is, the vast majority of major transmission trouble can actually be avoided with some basic knowledge and regular transmission maintenance.
There are a few important things to remember when it comes to keeping your transmission in good shape. Namely that it is a sophisticated piece of machinery, that if ignored can degrade quite quickly. Luckily, you don’t have to be a trained mechanic to help your transmission stay alive and well for the years of use that you intend to subject it to.
For all transmissions, it is important to remember that they require the proper amount of fluid. Too often we see people come to the conclusion that “if enough is good, then more is better” line of thinking. Strangely enough, too much transmission fluid causes the same problems as too little. The tolerance of a transmission fluid is important to maintain because whether you have too much or too little, you run the risk of overheating.
Below are a few of the most common indications of a transmission problem on the horizon.
Hard Shifting: a hard shift occurs when there is excessive force needed to complete the shift. You will definitely feel an abnormal lurch when this happens.
Grinding noise: a grinding noise is often caused by the teeth of the gears not locking together properly when a shift is made. It is difficult to mistake this noise as it will usually happen when you are accelerating, or at high RPM’s
Another common issue with transmissions is that many people often forget that the fluid must be changed from time to time. The friction created by shifting gears will sometimes shave off a tiny piece of metal which is then circulated through like a grain of sand until it is removed. Furthermore, the fluid will eventually become contaminated with dirt and decrease the usefulness of the fluid. Either way, the fluid needs to be changed on schedule if you are to get the most out of the transmission.
There are a few other things to watch out for when it comes to your transmission that can really help you extend its life. For example, doing a visual inspection of the transmission fluid from time to time can help you make sure that you aren’t running low, or that the fluid is clean.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to your transmission is that if you are already experiencing some trouble; get it taken care of as soon as possible. You only end up paying more for the repair the longer you wait.
