Early Signs of Transmission Failure

How to Tell if Your Transmission Needs Repair Before It’s Too Late

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs of Transmission Failure

Prevent Costly Repairs: Catching Transmission Issues Early

As a vehicle owner, you’re aware of any potential issues with your vehicle. A malfunction in the transmission can lead to expensive repairs and render your vehicle inoperable. Unfortunately, many drivers are unaware of the signs of a failing transmission. This article will help you in that way.

The Top 5 Early Indicators of Transmission Problems

There are many signs that your transmission is failing. The very first is often the check engine light. It is meant to alert you to several potential problems with your car, including transmission issues. Another sign of transmission problems is refusing to shift gears. In this case, the problem could be mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic. Transmission work will be needed if you find transmission fluid under your car. The fluid helps with your transmission, and you run the risk of the transmission overheating if there are a few fluid leaks. Another sign of a failing transmission is a burning smell. A burning smell can indicate transmission problems. Smelling something burning is never a good thing. It’s likely being caused by degraded chemicals and worn internal components. Your car may begin making strange sounds if it’s having transmission problems. There are a variety of sounds you may hear coming from under the hood of your vehicle. Strange sounds can mean potential issues ranging from blocked transmission filters to broken transmission pumps. If your car is grinding, jerking, or shaking, it indicates problems with the transmission. It starts with a delay in changing gears and escalates to grinding them on automatic vehicles. If your car goes into limp or emergency mode, it might be a problem with your transmission. Vehicles have considerable problems in limp mode and switch to a single gear to prevent transmission failure. To prevent problems with your transmission, have it serviced regularly. Don’t ignore the check engine light; listen for strange noises, and take your vehicle to the repair shop if you notice any strange smells.

Bring your transmission problems to us

If you live in Seattle, bring your vehicle to Jeff’s Auto Repair for service. As Seattle’s premier full-service shop, we handle all makes and models for maintenance and repair services. Our ASE-certified technicians are eager to service and solve any of your automotive problems. For your convenience, we have locations in Seattle, Sandpoint, Renton, and Lynnwood, Washington. We strive to return your vehicle in top shape and keep it that way in the future. Our technicians will stay on top of industry advancements and continue their education on cutting-edge technology. Quality auto service is the key to a vehicle’s longevity and peak performance, which we give you at Jeff’s Auto Repair. We offer a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty, so you can be sure our repairs are done right the first time. Give us a call today at one of our three locations to make an appointment for your next repair service. You’ll be glad you did.

Can’t Shift to Park or Drive? Read This Before You Panic

It’s one of those things we never think of until it happens. You climb into the front seat, put on your sunglasses, ready yourself for a nice road trip, and then you can’t shift into drive to leave your home. What in the world are you supposed to do then?

The first thing to remember is that you don’t force the shifter to go anywhere. Doing that will only cause more damage you’ll have to pay for out of pocket when the time comes. The shifter is hooked into your car’s transmission system, which is efficient and easy to fix. However, if one of those components fails? You get the problem above.

The good news is that an ASE-certified mechanic can diagnose this issue easily. They’ll give your car a once-over inspection report that outlines the true nature of the problem, and they will inform you as to whether or not there are other issues present that are compounding the problem. Then they will offer you solutions that get you back on the road safely and securely.

But, what exactly happens if you have to have your shifter replaced? For starters, parts will have to be ordered, so your car will most likely stay at the shop for a couple of days. Not convenient for anyone’s schedule, I know. The good news, however, is that parts like this don’t fail often. If it fails once and the underlying issue is resolved the first time, you’ll most likely drive the rest of the car’s life without ever having to fix a repeat issue.

For those that enjoy keeping an eye, or an ear, out for symptoms of growing problems, here are some things to be aware of when figuring out when your shifter will fail:

If any of these happen, call your local ASE-certified mechanic and let them know. Catching something like a failed shifter before it happens will always save you heartache in the long run. However, if you have already reached the point where the shifter has failed and are searching for answers as to what your mechanic is about to do to your car, keep reading.

If your shifter has already failed, your local mechanic will search for these specific things:

There are many things your mechanic will check for to figure out the scope of the problem, but the important thing to remember is that a problem like this rarely occurs more than once in a vehicle’s lifetime. If it starts occurring more than once, your mechanic will dive deeper into your car’s electrical and transmission systems to backtrack the actual issue and fix it up for you. However, if you don’t have a mechanic that you trust with something like this, fear not. That is where we come in. Here at Jeff’s Auto Repair, we pride ourselves not only on our state-of-the-art equipment but also on our up-to-date knowledge. We stay ahead of the crowd regarding manufacturing recommendations and local and federal regulations, which means that when you drive your vehicle away from our shop, you know you’re safe and free of worry. Every one of our mechanics is ASE-certified and ready to take your worries off your plate, so why not call us at (425) 771-4588[1] or come see us at 21701 Hwy 99, Lynnwood, WA 98036[2]? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving us a shot.

Because you’ll never look back once you give us that one shot.

Endnotes:
  1. (425) 771-4588: tel:(425)%20771-4588
  2. 21701 Hwy 99, Lynnwood, WA 98036: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:

Transmission Rebuilds

Transmission Rebuild 101: A Quick Guide to Transmission Repair — Jeff’s Auto Repair

When your vehicle’s transmission needs repair, you may wonder whether a transmission rebuild is a good option for you. That decision actually hinges upon your goals, budget, and timeline. If your transmission is ailing, bring it to Jeff’s Auto Repair in Sandpoint Seattle, Washington. Our certified technicians will help you weigh options. We’ll provide service for any make or model according to your choice. In business since 1980, we have a proven record of keeping vehicles on the road and customers happy as evidenced by our numerous consumer and industry awards.

Chapter 1: What Is a Rebuild?

A rebuild is a reconstruction that allows all transmission components to function normally again. Specifically, the transmission is comprised of many parts that work in unison to allow your auto to operate at various speeds. These include gears, rotors, pumps, and bands. All those moving parts can wear out over time, particularly as your car reaches higher mileage. When technicians rebuild a transmission, they replace the parts that are causing the component to malfunction. Auto owners can either replace the transmission or exchange the significantly worn parts in a rebuild.

Chapter 2: What a Transmission Rebuild Can and Cannot Accomplish

Having transmission rebuild as an option is fantastic, but you should understand what you’re getting in terms of what this repair can and cannot accomplish. If your goal is to restore the transmission to its factory condition, you’ll need a replacement. This option provides you with a new transmission with no miles on it. If time and money are not constraints (such as when you’re restoring a highly valued collector car), this may be the best choice for you.

On the other hand, if you need your car returned to you quickly or if your repair budget is limited, a transmission rebuild may be the ticket. Once location and shipping time are factored into the equation, you’ll be without your auto about twice as long if you opt for replacement, so a rebuild is faster. Also, you can expect to pay about half the cost of a typical replacement.

If you decide to rebuild, chances are that you can continue driving a long long time without needing additional transmission repairs. There are, however, no guarantees. A rebuilt transmission is not new. While the defective parts are replaced, they work alongside the other used parts that were left in place. This leaves open the possibility of more trouble later on.

Forget the textbook. Go for the CliffsNotes.

If you’re tired of plowing through a transmission textbook, go for the CliffsNotes instead. Allow Jeff’s Auto Repair to take care of all your transmission service needs for you.

Shifting Thoughts about Shifting Gears

Do you have experience driving a manual transmission vehicle? If you don’t, perhaps you’ve formed thoughts about manual transmissions from what you’ve heard. Jeff’s Auto Repair in Lynnwood, Washington, can help you sort the fact from fiction–and, oh, yes, we can help you with service and repairs for either type transmission, as well.

The Basics: How it works and how you drive it

Unlike an automatic transmission where the vehicle shifts from one gear to another without driver effort, a manual transmission (as the name implies) requires the driver to shift gears. It is also called a stick shift (an obvious reference to the appearance in most cars unless the vehicle is equipped with paddle levers on the steering wheel) or standard transmission (because it once was standard equipment on a car and an automatic was a more expensive option). The driver starts the vehicle in neutral to prevent the car from “jumping.” After putting the car in gear and removing his/her foot from the brake (center pedal), the driver eases out on the clutch (left foot pedal) and presses down on the accelerator (right food pedal). As the car moves forward, it will reach an optimal point (which the driver will quickly learn to detect in his/her car by the feel, sound, and rpm’s shown by the tachometer) for shifting to the next gear. The driver will let off the gas, depress the clutch, shift to the next gear, and let off the clutch as the gas pedal is pressed. This process continues until the desired speed (usually the highest gear on the open road) is reached. The driver returns the car to neutral when stopping. It is very important to recognize that a manual transmission vehicle CANNOT be put in park. The driver MUST set the parking brake in order to safely leave the vehicle unattended. (Some drivers simply leave the motor shut off with the car in gear. This is not a good idea. The parking brake, as the name suggests, should be used.)

Facts and Fiction

Despite the popularity of automatic transmissions today, some drivers still prefer a manual. (Manuals account for a mere 4% of the new cars being produced.) Regardless of one’s preference, there are several common truths and misconceptions that seem to perpetually circulate. For example, many believe that manuals always get better gas mileage. While this used to be true, technological advancements have made automatics competitive in that area. Also, because there are fewer parts, most believe manual transmission repair to be less expensive than fixing an automatic. It is. However, drivers who “ride” the clutch too much (keep their foot touching it) or don’t shift gears smoothly (or “slam” the gears) have frequent related repairs such as clutch replacement and transmission repair due to broken gear teeth. More frequent repairs can quickly counterbalance any reduced expenditures elsewhere.

We’re Here To Help

Should your vehicle need attention for either transmission type, bring it to our ASE certified technicians at Jeff’s Auto Repair in Lynnwood, Washington, for professional service and repair.