Cole Trickle

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By: Cole Trickle

Transmission Repair Strategies for The Average Joe (& Jane) For many everyday drivers, there are few words that inspire more fear throughout a conversation together with your mechanic than the dreaded transmission repair. Through technology that many of us have simply no grasp on, the transmission is somehow responsible for shifting an automobile from gear to gear, as well as in automatics, it also will easily notice when gears have to be changed based upon alterations in the vehicle speed and acceleration or braking. With an extensive understanding of how this whole process works is completely unnecessary for 99% of the population, knowing the basics of transmission functionality can save you from being ripped off by a shady mechanic or car repair center.

Lets start with a few of the terminology, so that should you hear the words bell housing or gears or transmission fluid, you will not immediately get intimidated. The "bell housing" is really a term for that area of the transmission that covers the flywheel and also the clutch of the transmission. Gears effectively control the number of RPMs between the input and output shafts of the vehicle which dictate how fast your wheels are spinning. Transmission fluid (which is usually red in color) ensures that every part of the transmission are lubricated to avoid cracks and breakage. Lastly, your transmission filter works with the fluid to catch any gunk or buildup that would potentially inhibit your transmission from shifting gears in the proper time.

Now that weve covered some of the common jargon, lets talk over some common symptoms of a transmission problem, and what may be some simple (and less expensive) solutions before signing off on the professional transmission service. Most transmission problems lead to the car not moving at all, or not moving smoothly. If either of those symptoms are occurring, troubleshoot the problem first by checking the following potential issues:

?Is your transmission fluid level incorrect? This ought to be regularly checked at least twice a year as low fluid levels may cause unnecessary wear & tear or even breakage of gears and parts.

?Is your transmission leaking? A consistently low transmission fluid level could be a sign of a leak. A transmission is made as a closed system, there should be no leakage whatsoever. Unless you possess a non-dyed fluid, red fluid leaking from the underbelly of your automobile is a sure sign of a transmission fluid leak. Alternatively, if your car has a transmission cooler, fluid can leak into the radiator. Since radiator fluid and transmission fluid dont mix well, it ought to be easy to tell if this is occurring.

?Is your transmission filter clogged? In case your filter is not changed in awhile, try changing it before even considering a transmission rebuild.

Once youve diagnosed if one of those aforementioned problems is happening, communicate that to your mechanic or auto repair center. Demonstrating an elementary knowledge of your transmission and issues with your vehicle will greatly decrease the likelihood of you getting taken advantage of. If there is a leak or a filter issue, insist upon addressing that issue first before authorizing a transmission rebuild or replacement. Ultimately, even if fixing any of these issues on your own is going to be impossible due to the necessary tools and expertise, comprehending the symptoms and solutions can save you 1000s of dollars.