Improving Your CarImproving Your Car

The automatic transmission in your car or truck can stop shifting or start slipping over time, and there are some things you can do to try and diagnose the problem. An automatic transmission repair shop can help if you can't determine what is causing the issue and make repairs to get your vehicle back on the road.

Erratic Shifting

One common problem that occurs with automatic transmissions is erratic shifting when you are driving. The shifting problems are often related to a pressure drop inside the transmission case and could be as simple as a dirty oil filter or a reduction in oil level because of a system leak. 

If you check the transmission oil level and find it is low, adding more to the system is a good starting point. Often bringing the oil level up to the recommended level will help the system build pressure and may resolve the issue. 

If adding oil does not help, you may need to have an automatic transmission repair shop check the filter inside the transmission and replace it if it is dirty. The filter is inside the oil pan, so removal of the pan is necessary to access it. While the oil pan is off, the technician can check for material inside to determine the condition of the transmission. If metal shavings are found in the pan, you may have bigger issues, and the transmission service may be more involved. 

Transmission Slipping

An automatic transmission that is slipping when you apply the throttle can be caused by issues similar to those that cause shifting problems. However, the clutch bands inside the transmission can also be an issue, and worn friction materials on the clutches cause the transmission to slip. 

Diagnosing this issue is often more involved and requires more than adding fluid or oil. The automatic transmission repair tech will need to drain the oil and check it for metal or other materials that can indicate a problem. If damage is suspected, the transmission may need to come out of the vehicle and disassemble for further inspection. 

The process can be very involved, but in some cases, the issues could be a failure inside the case that can not be detected from the outside. If the repair requires something more, like a transmission rebuild, you may want to consider replacing the unit with one ready to go into the vehicle.

Often the cost is about the same, and installing a remanufactured transmission in the vehicle is typically faster than tanking the old one out, rebuilding it, and then reinstalling it later. Discuss the options with the automatic transmission repair tech at the shop, and they can help you determine which option is best for you.  

For more info about transmission repair, contact a local company.