How to Properly Care for an Automatic Transmission

By Mister Transmission

Automatic Transmission

Apart from a home, a vehicle is usually the most expensive thing a person will buy in his or her life. And we often rely on our vehicles to complete our daily activities, such as going to work and running errands. All of this is say that our vehicles are important and we have to take care of them. And one of the most intricate, expensive, and crucial components of our vehicles is the transmission.

To ensure a long, efficient life for your vehicle, you must properly care for it. Most people know enough to keep their tires pumped, and not to leave their headlights on, etc. But you should also know how to take care of your transmission, too. But just how do you care for an automatic transmission?

Tips on caring for automatic transmission

Here are some tips of things you can do to lengthen the life of your automatic transmission and keep it operating at peak efficiency:

Take care of your fluid – Insufficient levels of transmission fluid are bound to cause a whole host of problems, so make sure to check it regularly. How? Well, with the engine idling, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, insert it again, wait, then pull it out to get an accurate reading. If the fluid level is low, you may have a leak. The fluid itself should be a bright red, translucent colour, and it should smell faintly sweet. If it’s murky, dark coloured, or smells like rotten, take it to a shop that specializes in transmission services. Also, make sure to use the right type of fluid. Look in your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine what type of transmission fluid you should use.

Get your cooling system serviced – The cooling system helps prevent your engine from overheating, but it also ensures that the transmission fluid pumping through the gearbox is cooled, as well. That’s why you want your cooling system running properly and should get it serviced regularly.

Transmission flushings – Changing your transmission fluid is important and is is best to leave it to the transmission shop that offers automatic transmission services. How often depends, but in general, get your vehicle’s transmission flushed once a year.

Don’t change gears while your car is moving – This is an offence of which many of us are guilty, but we really ought not to do it. You should always bring your vehicle to a complete stop before changing gears from ‘drive’ to ‘reverse’ or vice-versa. Otherwise, you will strain your transmission.

Regularly change your transmission filter – Some automobile’s automatic transmissions have a filter that need to be changed from time to time. Many newer vehicles don’t have a transmission filter but those that do should be changed each time you get your transmission flushed.

Avoid towing – Towing heavy loads with a vehicle that was not specifically designed to tow can cause transmission fluid to oxidize and burn, which can in turn damage your transmission.

Annual inspections – Just as with your own body, annual inspections of your transmission are important to make sure there are no burgeoning problems. If you’ve not yet had your annual inspection, bring your vehicle into a shop that provides automatic transmission services

Contact us

If you have any more questions about how to care for your automatic (or manual) transmission or would like to avail yourself of some automatic transmission services, please contact our transmission shop.

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In late December I got my oil changed at the Mr Lube on Henry St. All through January, whenever I drove I could smell oil burning. With the snow, I saw that the oil was leaking. I took it back to Mr. Lube and explained that it was leaking. They examined it, and told me it was transmission fluid. I believed them, and took it in to Mr. Transmission. Mr. Transmission looked and quickly diagnosed that the leak was engine oil, coming from around the filter. Mr. Transmission was fast, courteous, and didn't even charge me for their time. Thanks! You have my business if I need it down the road!
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Long overdue review! Top level summary, bring your vehicle to Mike and Rabih, they provide exceptional service. Huge thanks to them for helping me through a complex challenge and being able to get my vehicle back on the road and me trusting it is fixed properly! They worked through an expensive challenge, as Stellantis dishonoured my extended warranty and I had to have the transfer case on my SRT Grand Cherokee rebuilt. Throughout the process he consulted with me, always advising on options cost-wise and reliability. 3 weeks ago I had an issue start in the same drivetrain space, so I first brought it back to Mr. Transmission. Mike has gone above and beyond in working through the cascade of issues: just picked the truck back up today and its driving like new! Thanks again guys, will be sending everybody I know your way.
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I’m incredibly impressed with the service I received at Mr. Transmission! They quickly diagnosed and fixed the issue with my car, getting it running like new. Professional, efficient, and extremely well priced. Highly recommend them for any transmission needs!
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Kyle is one of the...
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Kyle is one of the nicest business owners that I've ever met. Noah and Mike were polite and knowledgeable, they explained my repair and got it done in the estimated time. I would definitely return and will recommend them. Thank You.
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The people at Mister transmission are simply the best, in my opinion. They went above and beyond just fixing what problem I was having with my car. Their knowledgeable staff was able to see potential problems with my car and advised me of the situation. They gave me options because they understood that not everyone could have everything fixed at the same time. Since they did a great job fixing my car, I have not had any problems. If ever I have problems again, they will be the first place I call for help Thank you Mister Transmission and your awesome staff
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Great experience with Mr T on Bank Street. Noah has always friendly and helpful. Transmissions is their specialty but he was helpful in giving me information on a few other areas of concern with my vehicle (brakes and worn out tires). It was a quiet week, so he was able to assist with both, in addition to the transmission repair. Appreciated this!
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