My friend just had a very expensive transmission repair. How can I avoid transmission trouble?
Next to your engine, your transmission is the most pricey component in your vehicle – so you and your fellow auto owners want to do all you can to avoid expensive transmission repairs.
Drivers may have noticed a trend of engines becoming more and more powerful in recent years. At the same time, fuel efficiency has been improving in nearly every motor vehicle segment in Illinois. More power and better fuel economy have always been at odds. Some of the improvement in fuel economy has been due to engine design, but most of the increases in fuel efficiency can be credited to automobile manufacturers’ advances in transmission technology.
Every engine has a sweet spot in which it most efficiently makes power. This is often referred to by technicians as the power band – the optimal engine speed (measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM). The computers that control what gear your automatic transmission is in try to keep it in the right gear in order to maintain optimal engine speed – whatever your driving conditions may be. Modern automatic transmissions have anywhere between four and ten speeds. The more “speeds” your transmission has, the more time your engine can operate at peak efficiency. Needless to say, transmissions have become more sophisticated and expensive.
Transmissions are cooled and lubricated by transmission fluid. This pressurized fluid is directed through small passages to effect gear changes. When transmission fluid gets old and contaminated, the small passages can become plugged which adversely affects shifts. The dirty fluid circulating in the transmission can eat away at vital gaskets and seals causing dangerous internal leaks that also hurt shifting. This is why some car makers recommend that transmissions be serviced from time to time. The interval varies by vehicle, so check your owner’s manual or ask us about your transmission service recommendations.
Old, harmful contaminated fluid is removed and new fluid is installed. Keeping up with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service schedule helps prevent harmful internal damage that may result in a steep transmission rebuild. Let Douglas Automotive Repair help you extend the life of your Car or SUV and prevent pricey repairs with recommended preventive maintenance service.
Give us a call today!
This entry was posted in Transmission and tagged Transmission Service, Vehicle Maintenance on .
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