There are several aspects when it comes to car maintenance. One of these aspects is the transmission service. Transmission is the primary part of any vehicle, and that should be handled carefully. Taking to a professional can be the best way out of servicing it. However, being a DIYer and having somewhat experience with handling car’s technicalities, one can maintain the transmission himself. Let’s head to how you can perform automatic transmission service.
Automatic Transmission Service: The Step By Step Guide
Make sure you are confident enough about handling the servicing part yourself. Else, it is always better to take your vehicle to a nearby repair shop and get the issue resolved.
1. Tools And Supplies Needed
On the way to automatic transmission service, there are some accessories that you would need. Make sure you have the following:
- Transmission fluid
- Transmission filter service kit
- Socket set
- Fluid funnel
- You can also wear gloves and some eye protection just in case.
2. Steps To Servicing The Transmission
Here is a step by step guide that you can read out and perform the same on servicing your transmission. These steps add up the easy ways to change the fluid of transmission so it can perform well again.
The first step would be to locate the transmission and then the drain plug. Get the manual book of your vehicle if you are getting dubious about finding the cap. Once you have found the drain plug, get some container and drain out the old fuel in it. Loosen the drain plug and the fluid will be out in no time. When the fluid is drained out, inspect it to find any metal while cleaning the magnet that blocks any metal from entering in.
Take all the debris and metal off the magnet; you can now reinstall the drain plug and tighten all the screws. This way, you can easily learn how to service automatic transmission, and practicing can make you repair it like a pro. Now that we are done with emptying the tube and so it is time to fill it up with fresh fluid. Locate the fill tube and use a funnel to refill the fluid. Use the dipstick to make sure you fill it to the recommended level. You are now done with filling the transmission tube, and you can start your car with no transmission issues.
3. Replacing The Transmission Filter
Automatic transmissions feature a filter to trap the debris and other foreign material from entering the fluid. Sometimes, the culprit can be the filter if it wears out and that means it does not block the debris anymore. In this case, replacing the filter with a new one is the only solution to save transmission’s fluid from changing repeatedly.
Once you eradicate the fluid, a plastic mesh like thing comes visible. Get to the filter and take it out; remove any clips holding it before grabbing the filter off. There can be bolts as well that you need to remove to take the filter out of place. The task is a part of transmission service for a car in case the filter is the issue along with changing the fluid. Install the new plastic mesh and tighten the bolts and you are done.
Identifying A Problematic Automatic Transmission
Having the transmission to service by yourself is possible but knowing that the issue lies with the transmission is essential too. Here are some signs that you can observe and determine if it is the transmission that is malfunctioning.
1. The Grinding Sound
While driving if you hear a grinding like sound, it can be a transmission failure. The problem occurs when you try to change the gears, and the clutch fails to function. While being in gear, if you hear the noise, the presence of metal in the gears of the transmission may be the cause. In this case, you can try double clutch shifting to keep it from any further damage. Read more on taking care of your car’s transmission here Maintenance Tips.
2. The Rough Shifting
An automatic transmission without any issues lets you shift from gear to gear smoothly. While a transmission having some problem does the opposite. Feeling some obstruction, like something is stuck in between while changing the gear can be a sign that your transmission needs service.
The Verdict
The transmission fluid can be a way to determine if there is a problem with the transmission fluid and if it needs to be changed. The color of the fluid usually remains red or dark red, and if it is lighter in the shade such as pink, then it indicates the presence of water. It is a sign that you may proceed with the DIY automatic transmission service or take it to the repair shop at the earliest.
