If your vehicle's transmission ever fails on you and needs to be replaced, it'll cost you a pretty penny to purchase a new one. Transmission replacement is one of the most costly auto repairs, as it will run you anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000 on average. Fortunately, you can avoid letting things get to this point by working to properly service and maintain your transmission. It isn't as daunting of a task as you might think as long as you have some idea of how to do it. Check out our transmission service and maintenance FAQs below.
What Type of Transmission Do I Have in My Vehicle?
Before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you should know what type of transmission it has in it. By educating yourself on the type of transmission found in your car, truck, or SUV, you'll learn what role, if any, you will have to play in operating your transmission as you drive.
For a long time, manual transmissions were featured in most vehicles in the U.S. Sometimes referred to as "stick shift," this type of transmission called for people to manually shift gears as they drove. They've fallen out of favor for the most part, though, as many people now choose to go with automatic transmissions instead. Automatic transmissions rely on parts like clutches, torque converters, and planetary gearsets to shift without you having to lift a finger.
Automated manual transmissions, which are also known as "direct shift gearboxes" or "sequential manual gearboxes," offer the best of both worlds to some drivers. Unlike automatic transmissions, these transmissions come equipped with mechanical clutches, but these clutches differ from the clutches in manual transmissions. They're automated through the use of electronic, pneumatic, or hydraulic controls so that drivers don't have to worry about controlling them. Instead, they can focus on using gear selectors or buttons on their steering wheels to switch gears.
Continuously variable transmissions, better known as CVTs, have also begun to emerge in some vehicles over the years. They utilize belts, pulleys, and sensors as opposed to gears and are designed to provide more power while improving fuel efficiency. CVTs are only found in vehicles manufactured by a handful of brands.
How Often Should I Have My Transmission Serviced?
Has it been a little while now since the last time you had your vehicle's transmission serviced? You'll be happy to hear that transmission service and maintenance don't have to occur all that often. Generally speaking, you will only need to have your vehicle's transmission serviced about once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, which works out to be about once every two to four years.
What Signs Will Show Me That I Need Transmission Service?
While you should be able to get away with sticking to the schedule we just presented when it comes to maintaining your vehicle's transmission, you may need to consider having it serviced more often than that.
Certain signs will suggest you shouldn't put off transmission service any longer, including:
- Your transmission has started to slip all the time.
- It's leaking transmission fluid.
- It struggles to shift smoothly.
- It causes your vehicle to idle roughly.
If you suspect something might be wrong with your vehicle's transmission, don't hesitate to seek service. It could be the difference between you being able to keep your transmission longer and you being forced to replace it.
What Will Happen During My Transmission Service?
Since you only need to schedule transmission service every so often, you may not know what takes place during it. It's a pretty quick process that shouldn't take long at all, but it does include a few key steps:
- Your old transmission fluid will be drained and replaced with fresh transmission fluid.
- Your old transmission filter and gasket will be replaced with a new filter and gasket.
- Your transmission will be visually inspected, and a safety test will be performed on it.
- Your transmission will be repaired as necessary with your approval.
This whole process should only take about an hour to play out. It isn't as complicated as some people might think given the importance of a vehicle's transmission.
How Much Does It Cost to Service My Transmission?
Outside of the fact that transmission service shouldn't take you too long, it also shouldn't cost all that much money. Every dealership charges a slightly different price to service transmissions, but you might be surprised to see just how affordable it can be to have professional maintenance done to yours. You may also be able to save money by checking out the specials that a trusted dealership like Bountiful Mazda offers.
Is Servicing My Transmission Really Necessary?
Despite the importance of a vehicle's transmission, some people don't see the sense in servicing their transmissions and ask questions like this. You may not face any consequences right away if you choose not to service and maintain your transmission, but it will catch up with you eventually.
As time goes on, transmission fluid can start to break down and struggle to protect the moving parts it's in charge of looking after. When this happens, it can lead to slipping, hard shifting, and sometimes even transmission failure.
Who Should I Trust to Service and Maintain My Transmission?
While you should make it a point to maintain your vehicle's transmission, you shouldn't allow just anyone to work on it. Only toss the keys to your car to a dealership you know you can count on to work on your transmission and give it back to you in excellent shape. The service center at Bountiful Mazda will take great care of your transmission and your vehicle.
Bring Your Vehicle to Our Service Center for Transmission Service
Try not to forget to service your vehicle's transmission since it could prove to be disastrous. It could impact your ability to drive your car safely and cost you a small fortune to fix if your transmission goes out. Schedule an appointment at Bountiful Mazda's service center today.
