School of Transmission

By Mister Transmission

Your vehicle’s automatic transmission is a remarkable piece of machinery. It may be complex to understand how it functions, but a little knowledge can go a long way toward preventing a breakdown

The most complex and intricate system in your car is its automatic transmission – understanding how it works can help save you time, hassle, and money. Comprised of a series of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components, they are all controlled by your car’s engine control unit, aka the powertrain control module.

A short drive to a nearby store means your transmission will likely shift about 25 to 30 times. Now imagine how many trips like that you make in a year and the impact they have on your transmission.

Shift Your Thinking about Your Automatic Transmission

Automatic transmission gear changes are monitored and executed by your vehicle’s internal computer. A torque converter uses the pressure and flow of transmission fluid to not only regulate the gear changes but also to allow the engine to continue running even when at a full stop. It also makes for a smoother shifting between gears.

When fluid levels in the transmission drop, so does the pressure that controls the shifting of gears. That can cause friction and less effective cooling, in turn leading to damage and potentially expensive repairs.

Recognizing Automatic Transmission Warning Signs

Preventing a breakdown from stranding you at the roadside requires insight into the warning signs your car will send if you’re on the cusp of experiencing a transmission-related problem. These warning signs include:

  • Grinding, rattling, or whining noises when changing gears or problems shifting gears
  • A delay in movement or your car jerks or shakes as it accelerates
  • Your transmission fluid is low, or you notice it pooling beneath the engine where you park
  • If you check your transmission fluid and see it’s not a reddish colour
  • You smell a burning odour while or after you drive

If you suspect your vehicle’s automatic transmission isn’t performing properly, or if you have questions about preventative transmission maintenance, contact us. Take advantage of our free 21-point multi-check inspection and avoid the cost and aggravation associated with a failing transmission.

Want to learn more?
Visit one of our locations!

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Customer Reviews
Great experience!! They were very...
Mackenzie Marcus
Great experience!! They were very kind and super accommodating to my busy work schedule offering to stay late for me to pick up my car. They explained everything in detail and never made me feel bad for not knowing anything about cars. Would absolutely recommend!!
Date: March 1, 2026
Website: Google
Fast, friendly and efficient service....
Brian
Fast, friendly and efficient service. Unusual problem but they knew about it and did the necessary repairs; at a reasonable price. And a courtesy car as well!
Date: February 28, 2026
Website: Google
Fast, friendly and efficient service....
Brian
Fast, friendly and efficient service. Unusual problem but they knew about it and did the necessary repairs; at a reasonable price. And a courtesy car as well!
Date: February 28, 2026
Website: Google
I Bring all my Vehicles...
Ryan Asplund
I Bring all my Vehicles here for maintenance work these guys are top notch! Very knowledgeable staffing and it’s locally owned and operated so can’t beat that!! Thank you!!
Date: February 28, 2026
Website: Google
The team at Mister Transmission...
Twila Smith
The team at Mister Transmission were fantastic to work with! Very kind, very friendly, gave me lots of clear information about what was going on with my vehicle.I appreciate this team so much!
Date: February 27, 2026
Website: Google
Free diagnosed for the car,...
SP SPARK
Free diagnosed for the car, Perfect, I love their service and their job.They will provide with everything that is necessary for your vehicle and for Customer Service
Date: February 27, 2026
Website: Google
Blair and his team at...
Kevin Hnatiuk
Blair and his team at this location seem to be the go-to for known and unknown transmission types and were recommended by another mechanic shop. For example, I needed to replace a transmission on a 2003 Right-Hand-Drive (RHD) Hybrid Toyota Estima I imported and they were able to swap it out. I appreciated that someone in the city was willing to get creative and not turn me away because it wasn't part of a pricing template.During a more recent visit, I needed a diagnostic for a Used Nissan Pathfinder I had purchased and requested a CVT fluid change. The diagnostic returned a faulty Mass Air Flow sensor. The front desk (Darren) went with an OEM sensor ($600) versus one of the $200 sensors you find on Amazon and his rationale for doing so seemed sound as many of the reviews showed that oversea-sourced sensors from Amazon fail within a year.Perhaps I'm of a more curious nature than most, and I have plenty of questions about the work being performed, what's being used, and the condition of the fluids being removed. I appreciate when shops help me understand their rationale. Darren is a pleasant-enough fellow, however, I did not feel on my last visit that we were in sync when I was seeking information on the condition of my transmission and fluids. At one point I was told that, "Curiosity killed the cat," which I found an odd response to a straightforward question. I'll chalk it up as a misunderstanding. My advice to this location is that a little information goes a long way to reassuring the customer. If Darren had been a bit more curious about the work being performed, I would have felt in a better position to say it was money well spent. My vehicle doesn't drive or perform any different since having the sensor and CVT fluid changed, so in my case, I would have welcomed a confident accounting of the condition of the fluids and work. Dare I suggest photos as some of the other shops are now doing. I'm glad we have Blair and his mechanics here in the city doing the work they do. My suggestion for improvement is that they modernize some of their process and systems (eg. photos on file) so that customers like myself can feel reassured throughout the interaction and beyond.
Date: February 27, 2026
Website: Google
Great service, very transparent pricing....
Prasanthan Krish
Great service, very transparent pricing. They kept me in the loop through the entire process with updates, got my transmission rebuilt in about a week. Warranty was the big reason I went with them.
Date: February 27, 2026
Website: Google
Amazing staff,very friendly and welcoming.Go...
Tracey Francalanza
Amazing staff,very friendly and welcoming.Go above and beyond for the work they do. When dealers charge a fortune he is willing to help keep costs down do not sell you on things that are not needed like some other places.Keep u the great work and thanks againWill definatly be back and recommend.
Date: February 27, 2026
Website: Google
Took my elderly Mom's car...
Kimberly Brown
Took my elderly Mom's car in because we were feeling slippage once in a while. Justin was very informative and helpfull answering all questions. I would recommend Upper James location.
Date: February 26, 2026
Website: Google
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