St. Stephen, N.B.
E3L 4X5
| Tips for having your transmission run properly.
Transmission Fluid Maintenance
Changing the transmission fluid and maintaining the correct fluid level are two things that are important for long transmission life. It is recommended that you change your fluid every two years or 50,000 kilometers. It should be changed more often if you tow trailers, or if your vehicle is driven under "Severe Conditions" as described in your owners manual. The transmission fluid should be bright "Cherry" red. If your fluid is a "Rust" or brown color it may need to be changed.
It is also recommended that you replace the filter whenever you change the
fluid.
Fluid Level and Condition
When checking the transmission fluid make sure the engine and transmission
are at normal operating temperature. The fluid level on most vehicles is checked
in PARK. Check both sides of the dipstick to make sure that what you see is the
actual level and not just the fluid from the sides of the tube. There is a full
range area marked on the dipstick either with two marks or a cross hatch
pattern. With the engine at idle the fluid should be near the top to one inch
over the top mark. When you are driving engine speeds are higher and the fluid
level drops. At this time you can see the color of the fluid. Also check for a
burnt smell or suspended particles. If you are not certain of the dipstick
location, or are not sure of the level or condition of your fluid we can check
it for you at NO CHARGE.
Improper Operation
DELAYED ENGAGEMENT - The amount of time from when you select forward or reverse until you feel the engagement should be no longer than 2-3 seconds.
HARSH SHIFTS - An abrupt shift or slamming into gear.
NEUTRALIZING - This is when the vehicle acts as if you had suddenly put the gear shift into neutral and then back into gear again.
MISSED SHIFTS - This is when the transmission shifts from 1st to 3rd, or from 2nd to overdrive.
DRIVABILITY CONCERNS - Other unusual symptoms could be caused by poor engine
performance or by the vehicles POWERTRAIN CONTROL system.
Computer Control
Most vehicles built in the last 15 years have one or more transmission functions that are controlled by a computer. The Powertrain Control computer uses information from many vehicle sensors to direct the operation of the transmission. In some cases the transmission will not shift or have harsh shifts because the computer is in a "Limp In" or Failsafe mode. The computer will do this if it detects a problem. If your vehicle is in a Failsafe take it immediately to a repair facility to avoid further damage.
When diagnosing transmission concerns on your vehicle, the first step is to
verify the sensor signals.
Clutch Pedal
On Vehicles with manual transmissions the clutch pedal "Feel" helps to tell the condition of the clutch. If the "Feel" of the pedal changes significantly, it could be a sign of clutch problems.
Here are a few tips to get maximum life from your clutch.
Take your foot off the pedal after each shift. Resting your foot on the pedal will keep the clutch from engaging fully and could cause slippage and premature wear.
Do not try to shift gears without pushing the pedal all the way to the floor. If the pedal does not travel fully the clutch may not completely "Release" and cause damage to the transmission gears. The clutch pedal should have some movement at the top before you feel
pressure when you press down. This "Free Play" is important for proper clutch
operation. The free play is adjustable on some vehicles.
Concerns If you have any questions or concerns about your transmission, call or come
by and see us. We can help get things running smoothly. |