5 Things To Know About Your Vehicle’s Transmission

A car’s transmission serves a simple purpose: it ensures that the proper amount of engine power is sent to the wheels, allowing you to drive at any given speed. It’s critical to the engine’s performance, and if neglected, you might experience a considerable decline in fuel economy and possible engine failure. 

In this blog post, you’ll find out all you need to know about car transmissions and their maintenance:

What are the different transmission types?

There are three main types of transmission: manual, automatic, and CVT (continuous variable transmission):

Manual transmissions

The original type of transmission is the manual transmission. The driver controls torque transfer from the engine to the transmission through a clutch and manually shifts between gears as necessary.

Automatic transmissions

This type of transmission shifts gears automatically as the car drives. The driver can concentrate on the road as the computer takes over the gearbox and shifts gears as necessary while the vehicle accelerates and decelerates.

CVTs

The CVT, unlike other types of transmissions, doesn’t rely on gears to produce variable speeds. It instead uses a belt-driven design with two rubber or metal pulleys to achieve an endless number of gear ratios.

How can you check the transmission fluid?

Transmission fluid is required to keep your car’s transmission operating correctly. To check your transmission fluid, first examine your vehicle’s manual to determine if it’s necessary to have your car running while doing so – this varies from car to car. Like the oil dipstick, the transmission fluid dipstick is found under the hood.

Remove the dipstick, clean it, and do it all over again. Check the level using the dipstick as a guide. If it is low, you can simply top off your fluid level, but be careful not to overfill it; too much fluid could harm your transmission.

When to change the transmission fluid?

The manufacturer’s suggested service intervals for your vehicle should be followed. Depending on your car, it might be anything between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. Some new vehicles, especially those with automatic transmissions, have sealed gearboxes with fluid meant to last the vehicle’s life.

Fluid inspections or changes are also required for most continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). For more specific information, we recommend consulting the owner’s manual.

Should you change the transmission fluid yourself?

Changing your transmission fluid is not a straightforward task, so you shouldn’t try to do it yourself at home. The car must be lifted, the pan removed, and the fluid drained out. Manual transmissions are less complicated, but they still need lifting the vehicle. 

Routine fluid changes are required for most CVT gearboxes, and many new cars feature transmissions that are almost sealed shut or require diagnostic readings from a dealer’s service computer.

Can transmissions be repaired?

Keep up with essential maintenance, check your transmission fluid frequently, and get it flushed or changed when necessary to extend the life of your car’s transmission. Ask your mechanic to check the transmission fluid while getting an oil change. A failing transmission is a costly problem to fix if it is ignored.

Want to stay on top of your transmission maintenance? At Mercedes of Fort Walton Beach, serving in Niceville, FL, we offer many automobile services, including fluid changes.

Schedule a service today!