Few things cause the average auto owner to cringe like the mention of transmission trouble. Yet the truth is that most simply know that is sounds expensive. Yet with some basic knowledge of transmissions and how to care for them, replacing a transmission can be avoided in many cases. While 200,000 on a transmission is possible with good care, variables ensue that make that prediction very fuzzy. Some last 80,000 miles or fewer.
Article Resource: Transmission trouble – What every car owner must know by Car Deal Expert
Banish early transmission trouble with a little knowledge
Part of avoiding transmission trouble involves understanding what a transmission does for your car. It is a key component in the drivetrain of your vehicle; the drivetrain consists of those components that generate power and transfer it to the road surface so that the vehicle moves forward. Both automatic and manual transmissions serve to facilitate gear shifts so that the car moves on a variety of surfaces and inclines.
The nuts and bolts are a bit complicated, but here are the four basics:
- Bell housing: The cone-shaped metal casing. If your car is front-wheel drive, it will be visible under the hood and off to the side of the engine. Rear-wheel drive cars house the transmission under the car and behind the engine.
- Gears: These are broken down into main and planetary segments. These are essential to an engine’s function.
- Fluid: The red fluid in an automatic transmission. It lubricates the gears of an automatic transmission so that excessive heat build-up doesn’t cause the parts to break down and cause real transmission trouble.
- Filter: Eventually, transmission fluid becomes dirty and needs to be changed. The transmission filter catches particles and build-up. Many early transmission trouble issues can be helped by changing the filter
For what amount of time does a transmission function?
With proper maintenance, hopefully “as long as possible” will be your answer. But the real answer depends upon your driving habits, driving environment, type of fluid used and the physical construction of your transmission (beyond your control). Quality of transmission build is beyond the average car shopper’s influence in most cases, so focus on the other aspects.
How Stuff Works says that transmission fluid should be changed at least twice per year, if not more often. If you drive hard (over half the time in heavy city traffic) in high temperatures of over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, 15,000-mile fluid and filter change is a good idea. And there are at least 50 different grades of transmission fluid to match the slip requirements of your car’s gear ratio. Thus, consult your car’s owner’s manual for advice on what grade of fluid is appropriate.
Is transmission trouble coming as a fluid leak?
If your transmission doesn’t seem to shift clearly, transmission trouble could be on the horizon. How Stuff Works points out where to look for leaks that could be causing this shifting problem:
- Drain hole on the underbelly
- Between transmission and engine
- Selector shaft – where the shift connects to the tranny
- Speed sensor – Either mounted on the housing or the spot where a cable connects
- Radiator – Look for red fluid mixed with the water/antifreeze
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Serious transmission trouble deserves a skilled mechanic
If the basics of fluid and filter changes don’t cut it, you need an ASE-certified mechanic with Blue Seal facilities. According to Cost Helper, replacing a transmission can cost anywhere from $ 1,800 to $ 3,500. Cost will fluctuate depending upon labor costs by your mechanic, as well as vehicle make. A limited warranty on the new transmission is quite desirable to essential here. Rule of thumb is the more your car costs, the more it will cost to replace the transmission.
Citations
http://www.costhelper.com/cost/cars/transmission.html
http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubleshooting/a/auto_tran_probs.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/car-part-longevity/how-long-transmissions-last.htm
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