If the automatic transmission in your car or truck is acting up, determining what the issue is and if it is more cost effective to repair it or just replace the entire unit needs to be determined. Automatic transmissions can be very hard to diagnose and if you do not have the right tools and knowledge of the inner workings of the gearbox, you could be spending money on something that is not needed. Having your transmission evaluated by a trained mechanic is the first step to deciding whether you should repair or replace the transmission in your vehicle.
Common Problems
There are many things that can go wrong inside a modern automatic transmission but some are more common than others. One of the most common concerns is the transmission not shifting properly or slipping when you step on the gas. While there are several things that can cause this, the most common is thin transmission fluid that needs to be changed, an underfilled transmission, or a filter that is dirty and needs to be replaced. Anyone of these conditions or a combination of them can cause the transmission to not shift correctly or to slip under load. The simplest solution is to take the vehicle in and have the transmission inspected and serviced.
Repairing Or Replacing the Transmission
If during your service appointment, the technician determines that the transmission has a larger issue, they will recommend repairing it if it can be fixed or replaced it if not. In some cases, replacing it is more expensive than rebuilding the transmission with all new seals and parts, keeping the case you have as a platform to build on. If it is cheaper to repair or rebuild the transmission, it can often be done pretty quickly but depending on the make and model of the car, availability of parts and the workload of the shop, it could take a couple weeks to get the car back on the road. The best way to determine the time frame is to talk to the service manager at the shop about what is involved and how long it will take to do the work.
Avoiding Repairs To Your Transmission
The best way to avoid having to have your transmission worked on at all is to keep it serviced properly. Most people change their oil regularly but when was the last time you had the transmission in your car serviced? There is a service interval in the owner's manual of your car or truck that will tell you how often the transmission needs service and what should be done. Keeping up with the service schedule is the best way to keep your transmission working properly and avoiding large repair costs.
To learn more, contact a company like Mr. Transmission.
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