Auto Transmission Maintenance Service
Maintaining your transmission will help protect it from premature failure and ensures smooth, continuous operation. You can maintain your transmission by having a transmission fluid exchange or transmission flush performed on your vehicle.
When a technician performs a fluid exchange, if applicable the transmission pan will be dropped and drained and if applicable, the filter will be replaced. Once complete, the technician will refill the transmission with fresh fluid. Though the transmission is receiving a significant amount of new fluid, as much as half of the old and dirty fluid is left in the cooler lines and torque converter.
When a technician performs a transmission flush, all of the old, spent fluid is removed with the aid of a special machine. Once removed, fresh, high-quality clean fluid is placed back into the transmission along with a new filter. As a result, the transmission will run cooler and internal components such as gears, clutches, and bearings will be better protected.
Transmission Repair Service Checklist
- Check Fluid Levels
- Road Test
- Engine Operation Test
- Visual Inspection of Axles, CV Joints, Boots, & Other Potential Factors
- Visual Inspection of Transmission & Engine Mounts
- Check for Leaks and Seeps
- Visual Inspection of Driveshaft and Undercarriage
- Check All Linkages
- Visual Inspection of Cooling System Operation
- Visual Inspection of Transmission Pan
Sun Auto Service Technicians are the experts in Transmission diagnostics and advise the best options for getting your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible. We offer prices that rival dealerships and we guarantee all work in writing. When transmission rebuilds are necessary, you can rest assured your vehicle will be completed to your satisfaction in a timely manner. Sun Auto Service has over 40 years’ experience rebuilding, repairing, and replacing transmissions and clutches in manual transmissions as well as differentials.
In the event that your vehicle is in need of major repairs and you are unable to drive your car, we will tow it to one of our many locations at no charge to you. Contact a location near you to request a pick up or to schedule an appointment.
Auto Transmission Flush Service
Transmission fluid is vital to the life of your vehicle’s transmission and ensures the transmission continues to operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Similar to how the engine needs motor oil, the transmission needs fluid and requires consistent maintenance for peak performance, viscosity, and temperatures. Transmission fluid has several purposes that aid in your transmission’s operation, including:
- Lubrication for moving parts
- Cools transmission and components to prevent overheating from friction
- Prevents foaming from circulation
- Cleans interior workings to prevent debris from creating blockages
- Creates pressure to move internal workings
After much usage, transmission fluid begins to breakdown from constant friction and heat from the engine, undercarriage, and the environment. The additives within the fluid begin to weaken and the fluid begins collecting debris and other particulates from internal parts that become trapped within the system, preventing the fluid from performing effectively. It is recommended to regularly check the condition of your vehicle’s transmission fluid (where applicable) as well as have routine maintenance performed to identify potential concerns before the situation worsens and results in costly repairs.
Auto Transmission Rebuilds
Choosing a transmission repair including rebuilding can be one of the most cost efficient ways in repairing your vehicle’s transmission versus replacement with a new or re-manufactured unit. Most components inside the transmission are made to last the lifetime of the vehicle, yet there are a few mechanisms that deteriorate within the transmission that will require replacement based on driving habits, age, and normal wear. Be aware that during the late stages of wear, there are some components that may begin to fail, and in situations of catastrophic failure, larger parts may require repairs or additional service. With any luck when your transmission exhibits signs of difficulty, only the failed mechanisms will need replacement. This is the most cost effective way to repair your transmission; instead of replacing the entire assembly and other parts that are in otherwise good condition and where replacement is unnecessary, you’ll save money.
What Is A Car Transmission?
The transmission in your car works hard to send the power that is created by the engine to the wheels based on the vehicle’s speed. With the support of gear ratios, the transmission maintains the engine’s RPM and the wheels at optimal rates and sends power to the differentials to turn the wheels. While a manual transmission requires the driver to manually shift the gear ratios, an automatic transmission, with the assistance of fluid, provides the pressure needed to actuate clutches and other internal mechanisms that adopts the proper gear based on speed and direction.
The transmission is a major component that the vehicle relies on for operation and it should be maintained just as much as the engine. Routine transmission maintenance is crucial because it helps to prevent considerable transmission repairs down the road. You shouldn’t trust just anyone to repair this major element in your vehicle. It’s important to find a dependable and experienced certified technician to care for your transmission. At Sun Auto Service every transmission service involves a free, comprehensive inspection prior to repairs so that you can be confident with your choice in repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transmission
A: CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission is a type of automatic transmission; how it operates differs in comparison to an ordinary automatic transmission, however. A CVT changes gears flawlessly through an infinite range of gear ratios as opposed to an automatic transmission that possesses a fixed number of gear ratios. Because the CVT has just one gear that is variable, you will not feel the shift from gear to gear as you would with an ordinary automatic transmission.
Q: When to change transmission fluid?
A: A transmission fluid change removes the bulk of dirty fluid and replaces it with clean transmission fluid. A fluid change should be performed every two years or every 30,000 miles. Alternatively, a transmission fluid flush removes all old, dirty fluid from the transmission and new, clean fluid is added. A transmission flush should be performed every three years or 45,000 miles.
Q: How to check transmission fluid?
A: Many new transmissions do not have the traditional dipstick for checking fluid levels and its condition. In many cases, you will need seek out an automotive professional to check the fluid for you. Some vehicles require the use of specialized equipment to access the transmission.
Q: How much is a transmission flush?
A: A transmission flush can vary in price based on the vehicle’s transmission, the type of fluid it requires, and amount of oil required. Transmission flush prices can cost between $160 to over $400, depending on the vehicle. Contact your local service center to receive an accurate price based on your vehicle’s specifications.
Q: What transmission do I have?
A: Manual vehicles use a clutch to connect and disconnect the transmission to the engine by the use of a pedal next to the brake pedal. If you are required to shift the vehicle yourself, your transmission is manual. Otherwise, your vehicle is likely an automatic or CVT. To confirm your transmission type, refer to the owner’s manual or check just inside the driver’s side door to locate a white sticker. The sticker contains specific details on your vehicle including the year it was produced, transmission type, engine specifications, and other pertinent information. If you are unable to locate the information for your vehicle, contact a Sun Auto Service and provide your VIN or license plate number and we’ll be able to inform you what kind of transmission your vehicle has.
With locations across the Southwest, finding a location near you is easy!
