Transmission Repair

Auto Service in Fredericksburg, Virginia and Brodhead, Wisconsin

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Transmission Services

So you have some exciting plans for the weekend. You’re going to take some of your friends out on the boat for some water skiing. Of course, you’ve got the boat all ready and you haven’t forgotten about your tow vehicle. You’ve gassed it up and even vacuumed it out. However, you also want to make sure that your vehicle maintenance is up to date. Think about it – heavy traffic on the way out of town, hilly terrain as you get to the lake, some dirt roads, excessive heat this weekend, and you’ll be towing around several thousand extra pounds through all of it. That all adds up to a lot of severe strain on your engine, brakes and transmission!

Your Transmission

There is no engine component more complex and essential than the transmission. It’s responsible for shifting gears and applying the right amount of power and torque to the wheels. A fun little blast to the local lake for you is really severe duty for your transmission. It’s going to be working overtime, spending more time in lower gears, and the internal transmission temperature is going to be much higher than normal. Towing or hauling a big load is obviously straining for your transmission, but there are lots of other things that constitute severe driving conditions. Things like short trips, driving in very hot or very cold weather, dusty roads, and city driving add to the strain. Basically, any driving that’s not at highway speeds or under ideal conditions.

Recommendations

It’s important to have enough transmission fluid because it helps to alleviate some of the stress on your transmission. If it runs low, the transmission will run hotter and won’t have the protection it needs to cope with the added stress of towing. Transmission fluid breaks down and gets dirty over time. Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission, you need to have it serviced on schedule to make sure it runs efficiently. An automatic transmission contains a maze of passages through which the fluid has to pass to keep it shifting smoothly. If you neglect transmission service, the passages can get clogged up and you start to have problems. Neglect your transmission for too long, and it can fail. If your car is making grinding noises, shows problems shifting gears or has a burning smell, chances are it’s time to rebuild or replace your transmission. Rebuilding or replacing your transmission might be an expensive endeavor, but it’s something that has to be done. Whether you choose a new, remanufactured or rebuilt transmission, consult with your service adviser about your options. While you have your vehicle in, ask for a trip inspection. Your SysTech Automotive technician will check your belts and hoses and let you know if your brakes are in good shape. Now, don’t forget the sunscreen!