Transmission Education
Mercedes Benz RWD Transmission, Courtesy of Dahmler Chrysler
and HowStuffWorks.com
Affordable Transmission is more than just a place that works
on and sells transmissions. It is important to us that the customer has the
opportunity to know what is going on underneath them as they drive. You should
feel free at any time to ask someone in the shop about what is going on with
your particular case.
Most transmission shops are "on-the-level" and honest
with their customers, but we understand that not every shop is good. The best
rule of thumb is to ask questions and get answers that make sense to you.
If you are getting the run-around or incomplete answers to your questions,
go somewhere else.
The drivetrain of a modern automobile is a very complicated
combination of mechanical parts, electrical systems and computers. It is not
uncommon that a car that is under diagnosis for a drivetrain problem be hooked
to computers similar to when we see a doctor. Most drivetrain repair specialists
are mechanics certified by the ASE just like at the dealerships and automotive
repair shops around the country. Affordable is no exception and is proud of
its affiliation with the ASE. Ask to see our certifications if you drop by!
Photo Courtesy of SITH, Inc.
While most customers are not engineers or experts on mechanics
or fluid dynamics, you don't need to be one to understand the basics of how
transmissions work. There are basically two types of transmissions: Manual
and Automatic. There are several variations of both but they all have the
same thing in common. Transmissions harness the RPM, torque and horsepower
of your cars engine and transfers it to the wheels. The inner mechanics are
complicated for both manual and automatic transmissions and there is enough
learning for both that there are whole careers made out of understanding each.
We thought it might be best to take multiple approaches to
helping you understand the transmission. First, we can turn to the web for
an explanation of how the transmission works. Below are links to "How
Stuff Works.com" for the Automatic and Manual Transmission. After trying
to write in detail about how they worked, we found that HSW did a much more
complete and understandable job:
Next, we will show you our process for rebuilding a transmission
once it has been diagnosed as needing rebuilt. In most cases, transmissions
provide a lifetime of reliable service as a silent witness to the mechanical
happenings in your car... But:
Unfortunately, drivers usually don't operate their cars in
a lab. More don't even maintain their transmissions with the same care they
do their engines. Automatic transmissions have filters and both have fluid
just like an engine, but are sometimes missed because its hard to see with
the exception of a dipstick under the hood. Even if you do maintain your entire
drivetrain with vigor, its not the only force affecting your transmission.
Hot and cold tempratures, snow and rain, driving styles, all make a difference
and can pummel your transmission into submission. Even sitting in a garage
can cause damage by allowing seals and gaskets to dry out and crack.
It just seems that there is no way to win, but with regular
maintenance and reasonable driving habits as outlined in your manufactures
owners manual, your transmission might never need rebuilding.
Affordable Transmission can handle all of your regular maintenance,
and if necessary complete rebuilding services for your manual or automatic
transmission and drivetrain. We hope that this little demonstration of how
a transmission works and our rebuilding process helps you understand more
of what happens under the seat of your own car.