Prior Lake Transmission

Automatic Transmission - Transmission Fluid and Maintaining

Changing the transmission fluid and maintaining the correct fluid level are two things that are important for long transmission life. Transmission Shop Inc. recommends that you change your fluid every two years or 25,000 miles. It should be changed more often if you tow trailers, or if your vehicle is driven under "Severe Conditions" as described in your owners manual. The transmission fluid should be bright "Cherry" red. If your fluid is a "Rust" or brown color it may need to be changed.

All automatic transmissions use a filter to trap small particles that are in the fluid from normal wear. Your filter is one of two types depending upon what type of vehicle you drive. One is a "screen" type which can be cleaned and reused in most cases. The other has a "paper" or "cloth" type element. This element is usually inside a metal or plastic casing and cannot be inspected. Transmission Shop Inc. recommends replacing this type of filter whenever you change the fluid.

Automatic Transmission - Fluid Level and Condition

When checking the transmission fluid make sure the engine and transmission are at normal operating temperature. The fluid level on most vehicles is checked in PARK. Locate the transmission dipstick. With the engine running, remove the dipstick and wipe the end clean with a paper towel or clean rag. Push the dipstick back into the tube making sure that it goes all the way in. Remove the dipstick again and read the level. Check both sides of the dipstick to make sure that what you see is the actual level and not just the fluid from the sides of the tube. There is a full range area marked on the dipstick either with two marks or a cross hatch pattern. With the engine at idle the fluid should be near the top to one inch over the top mark. When you are driving engine speeds are higher and the fluid level drops. At this time you can see the color of the fluid. Also check for a burnt smell or suspended particles. If you are not certain of the dipstick location, or are not sure of the level or condition of your fluid, stop by Transmission Shop Inc. and we will check it for you at NO CHARGE.

Automatic Transmission - Improper Operation

You may notice unusual conditions while driving your vehicle. These could be minor problems that could cause transmission damage if they are not taken care of as soon as possible. Some of these are...

DELAYED ENGAGEMENT - The amount of time from when you select forward or reverse until you feel the engagement should be no longer than 2-3 seconds.

HARSH SHIFTS - An abrupt shift or slamming into gear. This can damage the transmission and other vehicle parts as well.

NEUTRALIZING - This is when the vehicle acts as if you had suddenly put the selector into neutral and then back into gear again.

MISSED SHIFTS - This is when the transmission shifts from 1st to 3rd, or from 2nd to overdrive.

DRIVABILITY CONCERNS - Other unusual symptoms could be caused by poor engine performance or by the vehicles POWERTRAIN CONTROL system.

If you notice that your vehicles transmission is not working properly, stop by Prior Lake Transmission for a FREE TEST DRIVE DIAGNOSIS.

Automatic Transmission - Computer Controlled

Most vehicles built in the last 15 years have one or more transmission functions that are controlled by a computer. The Powertrain Control computer uses information from many vehicle sensors to direct the operation of the transmission. In some cases the transmission will not shift or have harsh shifts because the computer is in a "Limp In" or Failsafe mode. The computer will do this if it detects a problem. If your vehicle is in a Failsafe take it immediately to a repair facility to avoid further damage.

When diagnosing transmission concerns on your vehicle, the first step is to verify the sensor signals. Transmission Shop Inc. has the equipment and experience to find and correct computer controlled transmission problems in your vehicle.

Manual Transmission - Clutch Pedal

On Vehicles with manual transmissions the clutch pedal "Feel" helps to tell the condition of the clutch. If the "Feel" of the pedal changes significantly, it could be a sign of clutch problems. Transmission Shop Inc. will Test Drive your vehicle and evaluate the clutch operation at No Charge.

Here are a few tips to get maximum life from your clutch.

Take your foot off the pedal after each shift. Resting your foot on the pedal will keep the clutch from engaging fully and could cause slippage and premature wear.

Do not try to shift gears without pushing the pedal all the way to the floor. If the pedal does not travel fully the clutch may not completely "Release" and cause damage to the transmission gears.

The clutch pedal should have some movement at the top before you feel pressure when you press down. This "Free Play" is important for proper clutch operation. The free play is adjustable on some vehicles.

If the transmission is making noise or is hard to shift stop by Transmission Shop Inc. for a Free Test Drive.

Copyright © 2008.  All Rights Reserved.