How to Get Over the Fear of Caring for Your Transmission
Most people don’t know a lot about their vehicle’s transmission. They know that it somehow converts engine output into tire rotation, is critical in shifting gears, and periodically requires new transmission fluid, but mainly they know that it’s a complicated, critical part of their car that costs a lot of money to fix. In fact, the mere mention of the words transmission repair evokes fear in most drivers I know. They’re afraid that there is a serious problem with their vehicle, and afraid that they may be overcharged by a mechanic because they don’t understand what’s wrong with their transmission.
Worried About Your Transmission?
Visit your nearest locally owned AAMCO Colorado today to get a complete checkup to ensure you are getting the most of your engine’s performance.
Recent Posts
Categories
- AAMCO Diagnostics Center
- Air Conditioning
- Blog
- Brakes
- Brakes, Tires, & Suspension
- Check Engine Light
- Colorado Automotive Advice
- Community Involvement
- Electrical
- Electrical
- Engine
- Exhaust System
- Featured Articles
- Infographic
- Maintenance
- Muffler
- Muffler & Exhaust
- news
- Oil Change
- Online Mechanic
- Radiator
- Radiator & Cooling System
- Safety
- Services
- Suspension
- Suspension System
- Total Car Care
- Transmission
- Transmissions
- Videos
Where Should You Get Your Transmission Repaired?
Unless you’re an expert yourself, and you own the necessary equipment already, you shouldn’t ever try to fix your own transmission. Aside from the complexity of the transmission mechanism itself, fixing your transmission requires expensive specialized tools. It’s cheaper and easier just to take your car to a local, Colorado auto transmission repair expert who you feel comfortable with. However, it is helpful to be able to diagnose some of the problems yourself and understand what your mechanic is talking about (and what he might be charging you for). Knowing the basics of your transmission and transmission repair will help you have an intelligent discussion with your mechanic.
Related: Auto Tune Up Service
How Does My Transmission Work?
Basically, your transmission is made up of four key components: the transmission housing, the gears, the transmission filter, and the transmission fluid. The transmission housing is this bell-shaped metal casing that encloses and protects the transmission gears. You see it when you look underneath your vehicle, usually attached to the side of the engine. It typically contains a main shaft, a counter shaft, and an idler shaft.
The gears control the rotational speed of your tires and creates torque, even if you have an automatic transmission and don’t shift them yourself. Transmission fluid is critical to the operation of your gears and is typically red, so that you can see it when it leaks. Your transmission filter cleans your transmission fluid.
What Can You Do Before You Go To A Mechanic?
Before you take your car to a mechanic, there are a few basic things that you can do yourself, which can save you time and money. So, how do you know if something has gone awry? When is it time to get your vehicle inspected? If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment right away.
Is there a leak? First, check and see if your transmission fluid is leaking. Typically this should be done at least twice a year, because low levels of transmission fluid can damage your transmission, and result in expensive repairs. If your transmission fluid levels are consistently low, you should check for a leak. These can most frequently be found in the following places: at the drain hole beneath the transmission, between the transmission and the engine, at the base of the filler tube, in your radiator fluid, on the selector shaft, or the speed sensor mounting point. Remember that this fluid is usually red, so it should be relative easy to find.
The filter is critical! Second, check your transmission filter. The transmission filter is relatively cheap and easy to replace and critical to your transmission’s performance. Make sure it’s not clogged or damaged before you even consider having any work done to your transmission.
Have other symptoms such as a Check Engine light on, slipping transmission, difficulty or delayed shifting of gears? Take a look at this more detailed list of transmission problems that you should not ignore!
A Local Auto Repair Expert Can Help!
If you can’t find a problem with the fluid or the filter, you’ll need to take your car to a Colorado auto repair service. Unfortunately, your transmission may occasionally need to be repaired or rebuilt, and ignoring the problem will only make it worse: until your car literally won’t go. However, if you can screen problems with your transmission fluid and filter on your own, know the basics of transmission repair to be able to discuss the problems with your mechanic, and go to a transmission repair expert you can trust, you can save time, money, and frustration.
Related: Signs of a Blown Transmission
Don’t Burn Away Your Money A Run Down Transmission
Schedule an appointment today at your nearest AAMCO to get your transmission checked or replaced with a high quality transmission that will keep your vehicle running smooth for years to come.
Recent Posts from our Blog
Oil Changes & Oil Filter Replacement: What Does This Actually Do?
We all know oil changes are a regular part of car maintenance. But do you know what an oil change and oil filter replacement does for your car? Your car’s engine is a complex system of moving parts and your engine oil and oil filter play an important role in keeping...
read moreFirst 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working
Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three...
read moreTop 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn
It’s important to help your teenage kids become more comfortable around cars and understand basic car care. While much of car care is about knowing when to bring your car to an auto repair shop, there are also certain tasks that can be done at home, as well as ways to...
read moreOil Changes & Oil Filter Replacement: What Does This Actually Do?
We all know oil changes are a regular part of car maintenance. But do you know what an oil change and oil filter replacement does for your car? Your car’s engine is a complex system of moving parts and your engine oil and oil filter play an important role in keeping...
read moreFirst 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working
Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three...
read moreTop 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn
It’s important to help your teenage kids become more comfortable around cars and understand basic car care. While much of car care is about knowing when to bring your car to an auto repair shop, there are also certain tasks that can be done at home, as well as ways to...
read moreProtected: How to Check if Your Car Repairs are Covered by Insurance
Password Protected
To view this protected post, enter the password below:
Navigate our Blog
Recent Posts
Categories
- AAMCO Diagnostics Center
- Air Conditioning
- Blog
- Brakes
- Brakes, Tires, & Suspension
- Check Engine Light
- Colorado Automotive Advice
- Community Involvement
- Electrical
- Electrical
- Engine
- Exhaust System
- Featured Articles
- Infographic
- Maintenance
- Muffler
- Muffler & Exhaust
- news
- Oil Change
- Online Mechanic
- Radiator
- Radiator & Cooling System
- Safety
- Services
- Suspension
- Suspension System
- Total Car Care
- Transmission
- Transmissions
- Videos