Passenger Vehicles Transmission Repair & Rebuild Services
You’re counting on your passenger vehicle to get you and your family where you need to go safely. Before hitting the road, you need to be sure that you have a vehicle that you can trust and that all parts are in proper working order. Passenger vehicles vary and so do their transmissions. A Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) instead of using anywhere from 3 to 9 fixed gears like a traditional automatic transmission, the diameter of the pulleys adjusts constantly depending on the driving situation to provide the optimal gear ratio and power to the wheels. It may also be referred to as a stepless, single-speed or pulley transmission.
A Continuously Variable Transmission or a CVT transmission is commonly found in the late model Nissan Rogue, Maxima, Sentra, Altima, and Murano. Jeep models such as the Patriot, Compass are also known to operate with CVT transmissions as well as Ford Freestyle and Ford 500, to include certain Mitsubishi and Subaru vehicles. These types of transmissions are meant to improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency, as such, they are becoming more and more common in standard passenger vehicles meant for day to day travel.
Concerned about an unusual shift feel or driving conditions? That may be your transmission telling you something is wrong. Below are some signs of a worn out transmission:
- Delayed or Lack of Response: If your car shows delay in shifting gears, it can indicate an issue with the transmission fluid. Letting the problem persist may allow for future damage, so don’t wait to have your transmission fluid checked.
- “Check Engine” Light: Sensors throughout your engine can alert you to many different types of problems, and transmission malfunctions are displayed through the “Check Engine” light. Bring your car in for a professional diagnosis if your dashboard lights start warning of trouble.
- Odd Noises: Back to that rumbling and mumbling mentioned earlier, when your car begins making noises it shouldn’t, you may want to have your transmission checked. Keep alert for noises like unusual rumbling, humming, or even buzzing sounds.
- Grinding Gears: While a manual transmission may grind gears due to a clutch that needs replacing, an automatic transmission plays by different rules. Consider bringing your car in for a diagnosis if your automatic is grinding gears or your manual continues to do so even after replacing the clutch.
- Burning Smell: The only time a burning smell may be good is around a cozy fire. If you notice your car is producing a burnt scent, reach out for an inspection or potential repairs.
- Leaking Fluid: One of the easier symptoms to spot, take note if your car is leaking fluid. Depending on the problem, you may need the help of professionals with specialized tools. Call Richmond Transmission Service today for a free quote.
Your Transmission is Important
Now that you know the signs of a worn out transmission and what options you have for repair, let’s look at why your transmission is important. Like an engine, it is a vital component comprised of parts that wear down over time. However, instead of a machine, a transmission is usually in reference to a gearbox. It works differently for automatic and manual cars.
Automatic vs Manual
- Automatic: Unlike with manual cars where you use a clutch to shift the gears yourself, an automatic transmission does the hard work for you. A torque converter senses your acceleration or deceleration and accommodates for the change by shifting to a higher or lower gear, whichever is appropriate. Essentially, this type of transmission is an automatic gear shifter.
- Manual: Think of a manual transmission like a bicycle gear shifter; when operating, the engine is temporarily disconnected from your transmission similar to how a bicycle chain lifts off the gears when you shift. Operating the clutch causes that disconnection, which allows your car to move into a new gear so that you can continue driving.
Maintain Your Transmission
Whether your transmission is manual or automatic, you can take steps to help prevent excessive wear and tear. With the transmission a key player in keeping your car running smoothly—or running at all—and also being one of the most expensive components in a vehicle, keep the following tips in mind:
- Renew Your Transmission Fluid: Keeping your transmission fluid clean can better protect the gears from overheating while lubricating working components.
- Check Your Transmission Fluid Levels: Make sure your transmission fluid isn’t too low, Without the proper amount of fluid to lubricate the components your transmission has to work harder, which can lead to future problems.
- Don’t Let Your Car Overheat: When your car overheats it affects the engine and may cause harm to the transmission. Have it checked by a professional.
- Consider Towing Limits: Pushing your car, SUV, or truck’s towing capacity can put a great amount of pressure on your transmission, even if the vehicle is rated for its towing capabilities.
- Stop Then Shift: Automatic transitions or any age are strongly encouraged to reach a full stop before shifting to avoid unnecessary strain on your transmission.
Transmission maintenance is one of the more commonly neglected parts of keeping a vehicle operating in a safe and effective manner and it’s never a convenient time to have your vehicle quit on you. When it comes to our busy lives such as transporting to and from work and taking care of our families, it is important more than ever that our mode of transportation is working properly.
In addition to keeping your vehicle functioning properly, it is also important to take it into a reputable transmission repair service center for regular inspections. If the engine is the heart of a vehicle, the transmission can be thought of as the circulatory system. And problems with the transmission are just as significant to a vehicle as circulatory issues are to a person. Thankfully, transmission service will usually take care of most of your transmission problems.
From common transmission to CVT Transmissions, Richmond Transmission Services are the ones who fix transmissions better than anyone around. If you are having an issue and need Car Transmission Repairs, give us a call for a free tow or diagnostic test. Trust your car to Brevard’s most trusted auto shop. We’ll take a look under the hood and get you back on the road in no time!