The Importance of Changing your Transmission Fluid

How Long Does It Take To Do A Transmission Service?

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a transmission service for manual transmissions every 30,000 " 60,000 miles and for heavy-duty use up to every 15,000 miles. The typical service intervals for automatic transmissions range between 60,000 " 100,000 miles.

Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant for all moving parts inside the transmission and in automatic transmissions, it also serves as a coolant and the viscous fluid transmits power from the engine to the transmission.

Why it is Important To Regularly Service the Transmission on a Vehicle?

Transmission fluid eventually degrades and becomes contaminated over time as the bearings, gears, and synchronizers wear out. This results in microscopic particles of metal floating around in the fluid that can shorten the life of the transmission if not replaced regularly.

Changing transmission fluid is best done by a mechanic in a workshop where they have access to equipment like a transmission flusher which drains the fluid more thoroughly than gravity alone can achieve. Your owner’s manual will tell you when to have the transmission fluid changed and what type of transmission oil to use.

It is important to check the transmission fluid level regularly between service intervals. When transmission fluid is allowed to run low it can cause improper shifting of the gears and eventually fail altogether. The internal parts of the transmission can also be damaged when there is a lack of lubrication. There may not be any clues or noises to indicate that the transmission fluid is running low until it is too late.

The correct way to check the transmission fluid level is to pull out the dipstick while the engine is warm and running. Check the owner’s manual on how to do carry out this procedure. unlike engine oil, transmission fluid does not burn up, so if the transmission fluid level is low, there is probably a leak that needs to be fixed.

How Long Does It Take to Flush a Transmission?

It can take between 3 to 4 hours to flush out the old transmission fluid by vacuuming or using a simple siphoning system. Siphoning or vacuuming is repeated to remove all sticky dirt from the synchronizing gear and until the inside of the transmission is clean.
After this the transmission can be filled with new transmission fluid specified by the manufacturer’s manual.

Transmission repair can take a full day but it will take at least 3 to 4 days to rebuild a transmission. Your preferred auto shop will be able to give you an estimate as to how long it will take to flush or repair a transmission.

4 Main Reasons Your Check Engine Light Comes On

Check Engine Light Reasons - A Quick Guide

If you are not a mechanic, and you don't know much about cars, then it's understandable that you start to stress when the engine light comes on. However, it doesn't mean you need to freak out, or that the car will explode if you drive another mile. But the light is drawing your attention to something, and for the most part, it's better to have it looked at sooner rather than later.

To give you some idea of what could be causing the problem, here are some common check engine light reasons to remember next time.

It Can Be The O2 Sensor

The purpose of the O2 sensor is to measure the oxygen inside the engine that has yet to burn. But if the sensor isn't functioning properly, it will lead to two different things. Firstly, the check engine light will most likely come on. Secondly, the car begins to use more fuel than it is supposed to.

If it happens to be the sensor that is malfunctioning, it could damage other parts of the car like the spark plugs or catalytic converter.

Loose/Missing Gas Cap

Yes, something as basic as a gas cap can make the engine light jump to life. Now, the cap can either be missing, loose or damaged in some way. And the result is fuel getting lost through evaporation, and the pressure inside the gas tank won't be what it should.

This is not a major problem, but you will be wasting a lot of fuel if you don't address the issue.

The Catalytic Converter Is Faulty

The purpose of the catalytic converter is to convert harmful carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. And if this isn't happening properly, it could trigger the check engine light. This usually happens due to a lack of regular maintenance in general. 

As for not getting the problem fixed - you are bound to experience a less than impressive performance and fuel efficiency from the car.

Spark Plugs And Wires

Spark plugs and the proper plug wires are essential for maintaining a smooth ride. In fact, just one missing plug is enough to make the best car run like a messed up piece of junk.

So, if the check engine light comes on and it's been a while since the plugs and wires have been changed, now might be the right time to do it.

Of course, these are just some of the check engine light reasons, but they are definitely common.

Winter Weather

With Winter weather hitting the Kansas City area early, it is important to make sure your car is up to the challenges that snow and ice bring with them. Brush up on our maintenance tips below.

Read More:  https://andersautokc.com/preventative-maintenance/

Transmission Repair Kansas City

No One Likes Transmission Trouble.
Is that clunk getting too loud to ignore?
Has your check engine light has finally been on for too long?

It’s time to bring your car in for a free transmission inspection. At Anders Auto KC, we know how uneasy it can feel driving your car in a failing transmission.

When you suspect there’s something wrong with your transmission system, our honest and skilled mechanics are only a phone call away.
Manual Or Automatic Transmission Repairs We have worked on many transmissions in our decades of experience. We’ll inspect every element of the system including:

Torque converter

Gears train Hydraulic controls

E-CVT (Continuously Various Transmission or stepless transmission)

If you’ve never heard of some of these parts, don’t worry—we know everything else about them and are happy to teach you more about your car as we make the fix.

Get The Right Transmission Fix The First Time Bring in your vehicle today for a free diagnosis on your vehicle’s transmission.

Our expert mechanics work around you, and provide dealer level quality with local mechanic attention and care.

Call, text or request a free diagnosis anytime for repairs and routine maintenance.
You can also or bring your vehicle down to 1017 Merriam Ln, Kansas City, Kansas 66103 and we’ll take a look.

We’re even open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm!