Automatic Transmission Problems and How to Diagnose
Most car owners will get a head ache when they find out that their car have some automatic transmission problems. Well, it is natural as not many people understand about how automatic transmission works and they know that they will have to spend a lot of money to fix the problem.
The automatic transmission is in fact, the most complicated mechanical component in today’s automobile. No wonder if most car owners will let professional service to handle this. However, we can learn a little bit more about automatic transmission so repair shops won’t take advantage of your automatic transmission problems by charging you more.
So, what is an automatic transmission actually? According to wikipedia, an automatic transmission which is also called as an automatic gearbox, is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. Most automatic transmissions have a defined set of gear ranges, often with a parking pawl feature that locks the output shaft of the transmission.
Understanding about the meaning of an automatic transmission will be the first step for you to figure out about the automatic transmission problems. So, what should we do next to suspect any transmission problem? Well, there are several things you can do for it and let’s check it out one by one.
First, you need to check the transmission fluid level and condition. Make sure that the engine is running with the transmission in “park.” You can fill to the proper level if you find out that the fluid level is low. Then, try to test drive the vehicle.
There will be no more problem if the abnormal symptoms are gone. Is that it? No, not yet. In finding out whether there is an automatic transmission problem or not, you need to keep on monitoring the fluid level, and add as appropriate. You should also have to diagnose the leak source before more problems occur. Please note that you should not ignore slow leak as this is worse than a big leak. Do you want to know why?
Well, sometimes we don’t realize a slow leak as it keeps the transmission to operate. It will keep on operating until the level is low enough to subject the unit to low fluid operation. Then, what will happen next is an excessive wear. This is absolutely not good and is pretty different with the big leak. We usually pay attention to a big leak so we can prevent further automatic transmission problems in our car.
Last but not least, you can do a visual inspection to find out whether there are automatic transmissions problems occur or not. It will help you to find out leak sources before an estimate for repair can be made. Well, we hope that these simple tips will help you to get the best service for your automatic transmission problems without being overcharged.
