Learn Helpful Facts about Car Transmissions in Garland, TX

As is true with any part of your vehicle, knowing its components and how it works makes it that much easier to identify when you’re having performance issues. At Trans-Pro Transmissions, we proudly offer facts about car transmissions in Garland, TX, to help drivers of all skill levels learn how their transmissions work. Understanding the following tips, dos, and don’ts will help you take a proactive approach to your transmission repair and replacement needs.

All automatic transmissions use a combination of friction materials similar to paper or cardboard, bonded to metal plates and bands, rubber or neoprene seals, and bushings. These friction materials are considered soft parts and will eventually wear out from normal usage.

When the seals lose their flexibility and the bushings and friction materials wear down, gear slippage and other malfunctions can occur. If these conditions aren’t corrected promptly, more serious wear and tear can take its toll on the hard parts, including the metal drums, gears, and pumps of the transmission.

Our dedicated technicians are committed to helping our customers get the most out of their transmissions. Regularly checking your transmission and its subcomponents is a great way to stay abreast of any performance discrepancies. The following tips will help you maximize the working lifespan of your system and notice issues more quickly:

• Change your transmission fluid every year or every 15,000 miles.
• Check your transmission fluid for level and color once a month or so.
• Check your driveway or garage floor for signs of transmission fluid leakage.

Driving your vehicle with low transmission fluid will shorten the life of your transmission. Knowing when to change car transmission fluid can mean the difference between needing routine maintenance and substantial repairs. If you notice any fluid leaks, take your vehicle to a reputable transmission repair center to have them repaired immediately.

Whether you’re driving a vehicle with an automatic or manual transmission, there are several things you should not do while driving. Doing any of the following could result in serious transmission damage:

• Shifting into reverse before your vehicle has reached a complete stop
• Shifting into park before your vehicle has reached a complete stop.
• Rocking your vehicle back and forth if you get stuck in mud, snow, or sand.
• Forcing the gears to shift at maximum acceleration.

One of the many facts about car transmissions is that the longer you drive your vehicle with a malfunction, the more you will do damage. As soon as you notice any of the following performance irregularities, have your vehicle checked by a knowledgeable specialist:

• Slipping Between Shifts
• Erratic Shifting
• No Shifting
• No Reverse
• Hesitation When the Transmission Is Cold
• Loss of Power in Forward Gears
• Grinding or Whining Noises

Knowing when to change car transmission fluid is important, but what do you do when that fluid dissipates too quickly? Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant helping your transmission components avoid friction with one another. A transmission fluid cooler helps prevent heat from destroying your transmission. It’s a relatively small investment that helps to prolong the life of your transmission and avoid costly repair bills.

With their smaller engine compartments and cooling systems, modern down-sized cars and trucks generate much higher engine and transmission operating temperatures than older vehicles. Many automobile manufacturers have begun installing auxiliary transmission fluid coolers on newer vehicles to make their transmissions last longer. If you don’t currently have an automatic transmission fluid cooler on your vehicle, consider investing in one. You may need a transmission fluid cooler if:

• You own a front-wheel drive vehicle.
• You pull a trailer.
• You do a lot of stop-and-go city driving.
• You drive in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You drive in hilly or mountainous terrain.
• You regularly carry loads of more than 600 lbs.

Don’t ignore any dash warning lights. If you see any warning lights or have red fluid dripping from your vehicle, be sure to contact us so we can diagnose the problem and catch any issues you may have early.

Contact our trusted mechanics for expert advice to maximize the lifespan of your vehicle’s transmission. We proudly serve customers in Garland, TX, and the surrounding areas.