How to Keep Your Transmission Alive

Why you may need to know this

The automatic transmission is one of the most complicated and consequently one of the less reliable parts of the vehicle. The repair of an automatic transmission is complex and tends to be quite expensive. More than that, automatic transmission problems can make your car unsafe - some transmission defects may cause the car to roll while engaged in Park or drive forward when engaged in Neutral. On the other hand, if properly maintained, your transmission can last you a really long time with no significant problems.

Below you will find information on how to prevent your automatic transmission from damage and keep it in a good shape, as well as informative links to better explain how transmissions work. It doesn't require too much of your efforts - just periodical checking and regular maintenance.

(By the way, have you ever looked in your vehicle owner's manual? Try, it's a best source of information on your vehicle maintenance. You will be amazed how many useful info you may find in this book! Having more questions? Don't know what type of the fluid to use? - just give us a call and ask! We have all the information and will be pleased to help you!)

• What can damage your transmission

• How to check your transmission fluid

• How to prevent damage to the transmission
• How to use overdrive
• Servicing your transmission
• When it is time to bring your vehicle in to us
• How Automatic Transmissions Work (external link from howthingswork.com)

• How Manual Transmissions Work (external link from howthingswork.com)

What can damage your transmission

Most of the transmission troubles start after overheating. Under heavy load, such as towing a heavy trailer, rocking the vehicle from the snow or mud, having continuous stop and go traffic in hot weather, racing, etc. a transmission can overheat. At higher temperatures the transmission fluid burns, loosing its lubricating qualities and becomes oxidized leaving deposits all over inside the transmission. Exposed to the heat the rubber seals and gaskets inside the transmission become hardened causing leaks. The metal parts warp and loose their strength. All this, sooner or later, results in transmission failure. However, this is not the only reason - sometimes transmissions break down just because of poor design, or after being rebuilt by inexperienced technician. Few other cases that can cause an automatic transmission damage:
- bad driving
- low transmission fluid level
- wrong transmission fluid type

How to check your transmission fluid

Place your car at a level surface. Start the engine. Set shifter lever to the "P" (Park) position, and let the engine idle (on some cars this procedure may be different, check the owners' manual for details). Pull the transmission dipstick. Check your owners manual to find where transmission dipstick is placed in your car.

Wipe it off with a lint free clean rag or tissue. Then insert it back carefully all the way down into its place.

Pull again and check the fluid level. If the engine is cold, it should be within "COLD" marks. If the engine is hot, the level should be at the upper end of the "HOT" mark. If it's just a little bit lower don’t worry about it, you can top it up with a little fluid (no more than ½ quart). Check the fluid condition also: If it's too black and has a burnt smell - your transmission is not going to last. Normally it should be clean and transparent, as in the image. The new fluid comes red. Over the time it becomes brownish. If it is brown, check your owner's manual, may be it's time to change it. Some manufacturers require to change the transmission fluid at 30,000 miles, others specify that you never have to change it, our recommendation is once a year or every 20,000 miles.

How to top up the transmission fluid:
It's very important to use only specified transmission fluid - check your owners manual. For example some import transmissions need only specific type of fluid and regular fluid like Dextron III can destroy the transmission. Add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe as shown in the image, do not overfill it. Wait for a few minutes - let the fluid to flow down. Start the engine. Check the level again.

How to prevent damage to the transmission

- Always check your parking space for leaks. Doesn't matter is it the engine oil leak, power steering fluid or transmission fluid - if you discover any, get it fixed before it caused something serious.

- Once in a while check the transmission fluid level and condition.
• How to check transmission fluid

- If the level is too low, there is a leak somewhere that needs to be fixed.

- Change the fluid at least once a year or every 20,000 miles or when it becomes too dark (rather brown than red) or dirty.

- Also, keep in mind that an automatic transmission cannot be drained completely - there is always some transmission fluid left inside the transmission (the torque converter, in the valve body, etc.) which means you only can change about 60% of the fluid at once. This is one more reason to change it more often.

- Use only the same type of the transmission fluid as specified in the owner's manual or on the dipstick. Some vehicles are very sensitive to fluid type

- Never shift to the Reverse or Park until the car comes to a complete stop.

- Never shift from the Park when engine rpm is higher than normal idle.

- Always hold brakes down when shifting from Park.

- The automatic transmission can be damaged if towing with the drive wheels on the road. Always use a dolly or place powered wheels on the towing platform (if the vehicle is front wheel drive - tow it from the front leaving rear wheels on the road.)

How to use overdrive

Generally speaking, overdrive (O/D) is the highest gear in the transmission. On most cars the automatic transmission has 3 speeds and Overdrive (fourth speed). Overdrive allows the engine to have less rpm with higher speed in order to have better fuel efficiency. When you switch it on, you allow the transmission to shift into overdrive mode after the certain speed is reached (usually 30 - 40 mph depending on the load). When it's off, you limit transmission shifting by third speed. In normal driving condition the overdrive should be always on. You may need to switch it off if you drive in mountains area.
[The automatic transmission automatically shifts from OD to the 3rd gear when it feel more load. When it feels less load it shifts back to the O/D, but under certain conditions, e.g: driving uphill or towing a trailer, the transmission can not decide to stay in OD or to shift into 3rd speed and it starts to shift back and forth. That's the time you may switch it off and help the transmission to decide.] . You also may need to switch it off when you want to slowdown using the engine braking, for example, driving downhill. [For more details, check your owner's manual]

Servicing your transmission

We do not generally recommend a flush , we believe that the conventional transmission service is the way to go. Drop the pan, change the filter, replace the pan, and fill with fluid. Done properly, you should not have a leaking pan gasket.

The only time a flush would be recommended is when someone is converting from conventional transmission to synthetic which is good for transmissions that are used under severe conditions such as commercial use, heavy loads, or towing.

There's another method for changing the fluid called "suck and fill." With this method, the fluid is sucked out the filler tube then new fluid is used to refill the transmission. The major problems with this technique is that the filter is not changed and there is no way to see any material collected in the pan.

When it's time to bring your vehicle in to us

If you experience any problems with your transmission such as leaks, noises, problems with shifting, etc. don't wait until the problem becomes worse your vehicle breaks down on the road, bring your vehicle into our shop immediately! Automatic transmission problems never disappear by themselves. Also, when leaving your vehicle for the diagnostics, explain to the service manager as much detail as possible - what exact problem you experienced, when it happens, if necessary we will perform our initial road test with you so you can point out your concerns.