Do All Transmission Problems Require a Trip to the Shop?

By Mister Transmission

Transmission Problems

The transmission is one of the the most intricate and complex parts of your vehicle. This is because the transmission is not merely one part, but rather a series of parts working together to create an efficient transmission. Any problem with one part of the transmission can affect the rest of the transmission. This is all to say that transmissions are not easy to fix. You might be handy with a jack and a wrench, but some transmission repairs cannot be done at home. That’s not to say that all transmission problems require a visit to a shop, mind you.

Transmission fluid

One of the problems you can assess and even fix on your own is to do with transmission fluid. The transmission fluid is the lifeblood of your transmission and you need it to ensure everything runs smoothly. If you don’t have enough transmission fluid in your vehicle, this is a problem. An insufficient volume of fluid can lead to slipping transmissions, choppy and harsh gear changes, overheating, and number of other problems. However, there is a fairly easy repair for this. Simply top it up. Check your fluid level with a dipstick and add the fluid accordingly.

However, sometimes the problem is not so much the amount of transmission fluid but the quality of it. Transmission fluid can become damaged and burnt. If the fluid in your transmission smells off and unpleasant or is discoloured from its natural clearish red state, you should change out your transmission fluid and add in a new batch. You can learn to do this on your own as well, if you want, but just make sure you have a large enough pan to catch and contain all the drained old fluid from your transmission.

Transmission fluid can become damaged simply by being in there for too long. So make sure to change your fluid regularly. However, sometimes damaged fluid is the result of a damaged or worn out transmission. If you notice that slipping or delayed gear changes persist even after changing your fluid or that your fluid is becoming discoloured and damaged too quickly, you will have to bring your vehicle into the shop for further investigation and assessment.

More complex matters

For transmission issues beyond fluid problems, it will be difficult to take care of these on your own. Sometimes parts within your transmission will need to be replaced and unless you’re a mechanic yourself, you really can’t do this on your own. Furthermore, many automatic transmissions now are computer controlled. At Mister Transmission, we use special equipment to allow us to interface with your vehicle’s onboard computer in order to detect the cause and location of certain transmission problems. Now, I don’t want to assume too much about your life, but I think I’m safe in guessing that you do not have this highly specialized type of computer equipment lying around in your garage. So for this kind of diagnostic process, you will have to bring your vehicle into the shop.

Contact us

If you would like to learn more about what transmission repairs and maintenance you can reasonably do on your own and what types of service require the shop, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

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Customer Reviews
Hard for me to give...
Nimirr Assid
Hard for me to give anyone a 5 stars... but solid 4+ star! Sanjay and staff had good customer service and friendly. They did a good job doing service maintenance on my 2018 F150 5.0 4x4. Did all my lube and oil changes at a reasonable price and better than dealer price for same work. I have used this location for my other vehicle with success and used them again. Thanks again.
Date: May 14, 2025
Website: Google
Highly recommended. I found them...
Alysha Hoskins
Highly recommended. I found them through Google and was impressed with their knowledge even before booking an appointment. The service was half the price quoted by the dealership. I can’t take my vehicle to just any shop, it requires a team experienced with my specific make and model. Their clear communication and upfront pricing were greatly appreciated. The final cost matched the quote, and they didn’t try to upsell unnecessary repairs.I would 100% return and recommend to people I know.
Date: May 13, 2025
Website: Google
After my car had issues...
Heather J
After my car had issues and needed a tow Thursday, May 9th, I got news on Friday it was my transmission. I spent much of Friday trying to call a number of transmission repair shops for an appointment, but what I got was a lot of horror stories about the cost ( between 5 and 7 thousand), I should expect, how Nissan Rogues always have major transmission problems, and the long wait time to get it into a shop and get repairs done. I spoke with the owner of Town Transmission and he was professional and expressed empathy for my concerns.Fast forward to Monday May 12, and I ended up going to Town Transmission.The entire team went out of their way to take me right in before 8 am as soon as I arrived, and diagnosed the issues quickly. They explained everything, asked before doing, and gave me reassurance I did not need to rip out and replace the whole transmission.The team worked together to fix everything and got me back on the road the same day. I am so grateful for the respectful, professional, friendly service, without pressure, without any BS, without overcharging. They replaced and fixed what needed to be done and reassured me everything was working well.So happy with the excellent service and professionalism. I will be recommending their services for all the car repairs they offer.THANKS TOWN TRANSMISSION 😁👍
Date: May 13, 2025
Website: Google
Old school guys with a...
Philipp Kamtchatnov
Old school guys with a lot of experience
Date: May 13, 2025
Website: Google
Highly recommended, great customer service...
Travis Minor
Highly recommended, great customer service with transparent billing. I have full trust they fix what is needed and never overcharge customers.
Date: May 11, 2025
Website: Google
It's that time again...VACATION...and if...
Allan &
It's that time again...VACATION...and if you're doing a road trip and you're in the vicinity of Dartmouth, NS and are unfortuneately experiencing problems with your vehicle's transmission please call Mr. Transmission in Beechville, NS. Great team Jason (owner), Kim (front desk), and crew. Without their immediate assistance our vacation plans would had been ruined (road trip Montreal to Newfoundland). After Kim having called us back from an earlier conversatiion (opening came about) that Monday morning they did the impossible to have us on the road to North Sydney to catch our ferry for Tuesday at 8:00 AM. We were in and out of there in two hours, no parts available, but the mechanic did what great mechanics can do, thought outside the box...Toyota is too much by the book to do what he had done. Thank you again Jason, Kim, and mechanic (our apologies for not remembering your name). Yes, we highly recommend this shop. Our many thanks to you again. Allan & Raymonde
Date: May 10, 2025
Website: Google
Kyle and his crew handled...
Gerald L
Kyle and his crew handled my transmission swap, these guys take pride in there work!
Date: May 9, 2025
Website: Google
When I had issues with...
Lance Pierre
When I had issues with my transmission the left me stranded on the side of the 401 I was extremely stressed and worried but both gus and ray as well as the techs here eased my tension and returned my car back to working better the how it was from the factory
Date: May 9, 2025
Website: Google
Fast and professional!
Kamar Thomas
Fast and professional!
Date: May 9, 2025
Website: Google
Great customer service, great time...
Logan Taylor
Great customer service, great time management, recommend this shop if you want it done right and in a timely manner had a clutch done in a day and a half
Date: May 9, 2025
Website: Google
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