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Understanding Car Issues

When I began thinking more seriously about car issues, it occurred to me that there were a few things I needed to do if I wanted to make things easier for myself in the long run. For starters, I began taking my car in for regular auto service, which really helped out. It was really interesting to see how many different things had to be fixed every time I went in, but when my car didn't have as many problems, I could tell that it was really paying off. This website is all about understanding and preventing car problems by making better choices.

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Understanding Car Issues

What Are The Signs Of Possible Automatic Transmission Issues In Your Vehicle?

by Micheal Barrett

The automatic transmission in your vehicle works with the torque converter to regulate the transmission of power from your engine to your wheels. It is assisted by hydraulic pressure produced by the transmission fluid that is encased with in it.

When the transmission fluid becomes corrupted, or a seal breaks and the fluid begins to leak, the transmission can no longer work effectively. Fortunately, there are specific indicators that may be observed that can protect your transmission from damage and ultimate failure when problems arise.

What Are the Signs of Possible Transmission Problems?

The first indicator of an automatic transmission problem is a lack of fluidity when gear changes occur. The beauty of an automatic transmission is its seamless shifting between gears as acceleration or deceleration occurs. 

The first indicators will be felt as sudden jumps in acceleration as the vehicle shifts into higher gears and hesitation to engage as the vehicle proceeds from a full stop. If the problem is not addressed, the inconsistent shifts will become more pronounced during driving.

Engagement of the transmission following a complete stop will be proceeded by a roar from the engine, as the engine attempts to compensate by providing additional power to override the failure of the transmission to shift into gear.

The roar of the engine will be accompanied by an eventual leap forward (or backward, depending on the intended direction). You may hear a "clunking" sound as the transmission slams into gear. An acrid smell of overheated transmission fluid may also be present.

Your transmission will begin to be in danger of major damage at this point. If you continue to drive the vehicle without transmission service, the engine will have increasing difficulty in supplying enough power to the ailing transmission.

As the engine attempts to supply its power, it will begin to overheat, with the vehicle's temperature gauge approaching or reaching the red zone. The vehicle will eventually shut down due to massive overheating.

What Are the Benefits of Proactive Transmission Service?

As soon as your vehicle begins to exhibit any of these signs, or if you have an older vehicle with no symptoms that you want to keep on the road for a few more years, a transmission service can help to protect your transmission from expensive damage.

The auto repair service facility may perform a fluid flush and fill after all other issues, such as broken seals or worn clutches and gears, are addressed. This service uses pressurized equipment to force the old transmission fluid out and replaces it with new fluid.

The pan that holds the fluid and the filter which removes impurities are first removed and cleaned to keep the new fluid from becoming contaminated. Your repaired transmission will then have the equivalent of a complete blood transfusion, and likely a new lease on its life.

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