TRANSMISSION REPAIR & REPLACEMENT - EDMONTON

If you haven't had a transmission flush recently, you might be heading towards a breakdown.

Clean transmission fluid is essential for keeping your vehicle in proper working condition. It acts as both a coolant and lubricant for your gears. Without clean fluid, your gears cannot function correctly and the performance of your car suffers. Gradually, heat and wear impacts your vehicle in more serious ways, finally leading to complete transmission failure.

Signs You Need a Transmission Repair

To find out if you need a transmission repair, Edmonton car owners should keep an eye out for the following warning signs:  

Grinding noises

When your transmission is full of contaminants like dirt and grease, your vehicle may start behaving as if it lacked fluid. One way it does this is to make grinding noises when you change gears.

Other unusual sounds

A transmission may show that there are problems by making other noises, as well. It's common to hear whining, buzzing, and clunking sounds. A clear sign of trouble is a noisy car in neutral.

Difficulty shifting gears

Another consequence of a dirty transmission is poor response when changing gears. Your car may change gears too fast or too slow, no matter if it has manual or automatic transmission. If you’re driving a car with a manual transmission, you may find it difficult to change gears at all or changes may cause a jerking movement.

Slipping gears

Dirt in transmission fluid can cause a lack of hydraulic power, just like if you have insufficient fluid. This means your vehicle is unable to stay in the right gear and it may shift out of gear without warning.

Dark transmission fluid

When you check your transmission fluid, it should appear bright red. Take your car for a transmission repair immediately if the fluid appears dark or opaque.

Burnt smell

Another way to check the condition of the fluid is by its smell. When it is clean, the fluid has a familiar sweet smell. When it is dirty, it may have a hot, burnt odour. You may even notice the smell when you get out of your car, before you even look at the fluid.

Surging movement

Your car should always run smoothly. If it is surging forward or backward or making other strange movements, a problem with the transmission is likely. You need to visit our Edmonton shop as soon as possible, as it could be dangerous for you to keep driving.

Stalling

The opposite to the above can also be true: your vehicle may stop moving unexpectedly. A common issue is for the car to stall for a second or two after you put it in gear.

Leaks of transmission fluid

You will know that you have a leak if you see transmission fluid on the road or driveway in the area where your car was parked. No matter if the fluid is clear or cloudy, this requires urgent attention.

How to Avoid Transmission Repair Problems

By taking good care of your transmission, you can avoid serious problems that would require a more complex repair. Here are a few tips:

Have your fluid flushed regularly

Many manufacturers recommend changing transmission fluid in an automatic car every 150,000 kilometres. Some even say you can leave it until 250,000 kilometres. Our mechanics in Edmonton agree that this is far too long to wait, especially if you want to prevent the need for a transmission repair. We recommend flushing your fluid at least every 90,000 kilometres.

For manual transmission cars, it depends on the model. You should consult your maintenance schedule or ask us for advice.

Check your fluid

Even more often than you receive a flush, you should check the condition of the fluid. Around every 1,600 kilometres, examine the level, colour, and smell.

Use the best fluid for your vehicle

We will recommend the right type of fluid for your vehicle. Newer fluids tend to protect transmission better than traditional products.

Warm your vehicle in the morning

Cold mornings are a common occurrence in Edmonton. When you know that it’s likely to be cold, plan in advance. Be in your car at least 30 seconds before you need to leave — a whole minute is even better. This will give you the chance to warm up your transmission before you drive off.

Receive a Transtech service

Traditional transmission services only replace a small percentage of the vehicle's old fluid. Vehicles today need a more thorough flush. As fluid ages, contaminants build up, viscosity breaks down, and your transmission is left vulnerable to breakdowns. T & K Auto Repair recommends a complete transmission system flush using Transtech technologies.

What Is the Transtech System?

The Transtech system performs a total flush, removing all of the old automatic transmission fluid. The Transtech pump can get down into all of the hard to reach areas that were impossible to access with previous methods. The old fluid is then replaced with fresh automatic transmission fluid, which protects today's transmissions. It helps reduce the risk of component failure, improve vehicle performance, and increase vehicle longevity.