Your car or truck is a complex mechanical system, which needs maintenance at regular intervals. You probably check under the hood on a regular basis. But looking under your car is a different matter. That’s where the transmission is located.

It is a connecting shaft which transmits the power or motion of your car’s engine to the wheels in the front or back depending on whether your vehicle has front wheel drive or rear wheel drive.

Car transmissions can be manual or automatic in nature and your maintenance can vary depending on that. Typically, an automobile with manual transmission will require less maintenance whereas the one with automatic type transmission needs to be checked periodically.

Manual transmission equipped cars or trucks come with an assembly known as a clutch, which is used for shifting gears. It may need replacements once in a while depending on use. Automatic transmissions are far more complex in nature and need to be maintained under the watchful eye of trained mechanics, making it a potentially costly affair.

Whether manual or automatic, transmissions in cars and trucks cannot work without fluids or oils. These fluids keep them running smoothly and free of friction. This fluid needs to be changed periodically and that is determined by factors like usage, miles covered, and the make of your car or truck.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a particular type of transmission fluid due to their specialized needs, so stick with them to keep your vehicles running smoothly. Refer to the manufacturer’s manual to familiarize yourself with the specific needs of your car. Cars with automatic transmission also will need a filter change along with fluid change, which increases your costs a little.

As far as your car’s transmission is concerned, since it is out of your sight, in all probability you will never see if anything is wrong with it. Even though you cannot readily see under your car, you can hear the problems. If it makes odd noises while shifting gears, then there is something wrong with it.

Visual clues can be in the form of leak spots under your parked car. If you happen to see or hear any of the above mentioned things, get your car immediately checked. Smelly and cloudy oil needs to be changed immediately. Noise in your transmission may signal a more serious problem. If detected and repaired early, it may save you lot of money.

If your car’s transmission needs to undergo repair, it might mean minor repairs or a complete overhaul. Minor problems such as faulty sensors, defective solenoid packs and misplaced throttle cables can be taken care of immediately and inexpensively. External seals, which prevent the fluid from leaking, can be replaced without much difficulty. However, front seal replacement means removing the entire assembly and increased costs for you.

The most expensive repair is of course a complete overhaul of your transmission. When that happens the whole transmission system needs to be disassembled to find the faults and make the necessary repairs. The whole exercise can be less time consuming and expensive if you can find a replaceable transmission assembly.

Whether or not your transmission repair goes smoothly will depend on your car make and model as well as the skill and experience of the mechanic doing the work. Just remember, all of these problems can be avoided if you maintain your car in an efficient manner.

Nick Messe is president of The Lead Frog LLC. Finding accurate auto repair information can be difficult due to the wide variety of vehicles on the road today and the vast differences between them. You can find helpful auto repair information at AutoRepair-Info.com

Author: Nick Messe
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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