What is an automatic transmission?
A transmission is the device that transmits the
power of the engine to the drive wheels of your
car. This power is transmitted via the axle.
Your car could be a front-wheel-drive if the
power is transmitted to the front wheels,
back-wheel-drive if the power is transmitted to
the back wheels, and an all-wheel-drive or
4-wheel-drive, more commonly known as a 4X4 if
the engine power is transmitted to all the four
wheels.
How do you know whether a car has a manual or an
automatic transmission? Very simple: a manual
transmission car will have three foot pedals -
clutch, brake and accelerator. An automatic
transmission car has just two - brake and
accelerator. A manual transmission car has a
gear shift; this is replaced by a lever for
parking, neutral, and engage in a car with
automatic transmission.
The engine of a car runs best at a particular
RPM. The job of the transmission unit in a car
is to transfer optimum power at any stage using
a variety of gears, keeping the RPM in a
comfortable range. This is why you will always
use the first gear when moving from a
standstill. As your speed increases, you will
keep shifting into a higher gear. You do this
gear-change manually using the clutch and gear
lever in a car with a manual transmission. A car
with auto-transmission will not require you to
make the gear changes, it will do it
automatically using various sensory equipment.
Older car models using automatic transmission
were pretty simple and depended more on
mechanical components. The latest cars depend on
a host of components - mechanical, hydraulic and
electronic - all working in perfect
synchronization. What causes your automatic
transmission to cause problems is when all of
these various parameters stop synchronizing
perfectly.
It is much easier for you to know that there is
a problem with the transmission when it is
manual. Many a times you get the feeling of the
gear not shifting the way it should when you do
it manually. You immediately take the car to an
authorized mechanic, and the fault is rectified,
causing a minimum dent in your pocket. This is
usually not possible with an automatic
transmission, since you could notice something
strange only when it is too late. This can
sometimes involve major work with high costs
involved.
Problems with an automatic transmission
The automatic transmission on the latest
automobiles consists of a variety of components.
These include: Planetary gear sets, the
hydraulic system to control and activate the
clutch, the torque converter which acts as a
clutch allowing the vehicle to come to a
standstill with engine running and in gear, the
governor and throttle cable monitor that senses
when to shift gears (in older models), and the
onboard computer which senses various parameters
allowing for precise gear shifting allowing you
the freedom to choose between settings for high
power or better mileage.
How all these components work is a very complex
subject. The working of all of these components
in perfect harmony requires high precision and
split-second accuracy. The malfunctioning of
even one component can cause undesired results
during gear shifting. Smooth gear shifts happen
when you can't hear it, but feel it when at the
same acceleration your power suddenly drops down
but speed increases. There is something wrong
when you can feel the gear changing, but at the
same time also hear a clinking sound. There is
something really wrong when you feel a shudder
with each gear shift.
Taking care of your vehicles automatic
transmission
Since you do not have any role in gear-change
when using a vehicle with automatic
transmission, the chances of the gears getting
faulty due to human error are non-existent. The
main ingredient that will keep the automatic
transmission performing like new is the
transmission oil. You know how important
changing the engine oil on time is, and the
serious damage that can occur in case you don't.
Same is the case with changing transmission oil,
but this is one area that is very often
neglected, resulting in sudden and serious
damage to the transmission.
If you get your vehicle serviced at a company
specified service outlet, chances are that you
do not need to worry about the various oil
changes that your car requires. In all
likelihood your vehicles entire service details
will be maintained and all required changes and
servicings done on time. The problem is that
most will go to such service outlets only when
their vehicles are new. Once the vehicle gets
older, the local mechanic will do. This is one
reason why you must keep a maintenance record of
all servicings and oil changes made since the
vehicle was new. Engine oil change is a regular
feature and will be done at every servicing. Not
so with certain other oils such as the axle oil,
brake oil, coolant oil, and transmission oil.
You should know when these oils were last
changed and when they need changing next.
Always follow what your vehicle manufacturer
suggests. They have done a lot of R&D to know
what suits your vehicle best and will need
changing at what interval. If your manufacturer
suggests that you change your automatic
transmission oil after every 40,000 miles, do it
on time. To be on the safer side, get the oil
change done around the 35,000 miles mark. This
will not harm in any way and ensure that the
transmission unit keeps performing like new.
One of the prime reasons for automatic
transmission problems occurring after the oil is
changed is using of the wrong grade of oil.
Every manufacturer clearly mentions what grade
of oil is to be used in case of an oil change.
Make sure that your mechanic used only this
grade of oil for the oil change. Using any other
grade of oil, however small the difference may
be, could prove extremely fatal for your
vehicles transmission unit. It is also possible
that your mechanic has told you that he has used
the specified grade of oil, but in reality has
used oil of some other grade, possibly left-over
after changing the transmission oil for some car
of a different make. Always make it a point to
be present when your mechanic is getting the oil
changed. Also make very sure that he changes the
oil filter. Using an old filter will result in
the clean oil getting dirty with all the
previous oils contaminants.
There are several other minor problems that may
occur with an automatic transmission. Proper and
timely care is all that is required to avert any
damage. Most of the problems that you may notice
might just require some minor tuning.
If you notice that the gear does not shift
smoothly or shifts at odd times, the problem
could be a minor one with the onboard computer.
Some settings could have got disturbed, causing
the problem. What is usually required is
reconfiguring the computer resulting in smoother
and timely gearshifts. A delay in getting this
done will have no impact on the computer, but on
the mechanical parts that help in the gear
change.
When you give your car for a normal service
always ask the mechanic to check for even the
slightest leakage of oil from the transmission
unit. If a leak is noticed ask the mechanic to
get the leak sealed off. If the leak is of
extremely minor nature and the mechanic says
that the oil leak requires a gasket change that
would require him to remove the entire unit,
forget it for the time being. Get it replaced
when going in for an oil change. Just make sure
that the oil level is maintained and
occasionally keep checking for an increase in
the oil leakage.
When a problem is noticed, act immediately
Once you get used to the transmission changing
gears smoothly, you will surely notice even the
slightest change when the unit performs
undesirably. Do not hesitate or wait for later,
visit your mechanic as soon as possible and tell
him of the change. It could be something very
minor that can be solved immediately. Ignoring
it may result in this small problem getting
bigger and in turn involving more components.
This in time can lead to major malfunctioning
resulting in the requirement of a total
overhaul. What could have been solved in a few
dollars will now cost you a great deal more.
This will also require precious time, so you
will have to do without your car for a few days.
Always be alert and wise. The moment you notice
or feel something amiss, get professional advice
immediately. This applies not only for your
automatic vehicles transmission, but to
absolutely any vehicle, and absolutely any
component.
Remember: Once you notice even the smallest of
problems in your vehicle, get it solved
immediately. The more you delay solving the
problem, the deeper will the hole in your pocket
get! |
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