The transmission is one of the most important systems in your car. If your automatic transmission isn’t working right, you will notice it. The vehicle may not shift properly or accelerate normally. If there is a major transmission problem, your vehicle may not move at all.
What is an Automatic Transmission Service?
So, just like you need to maintain your engine, brakes, tires and other automotive systems, you need to take care of your automatic transmission. This is done with a standard transmission service. At Ralph’s Transmission, our automatic transmission service entails a free external inspection of the transmission and diagnostic testing. Then, we drain the transmission fluid (also known as transmission oil) and remove the transmission pan, which is then cleaned and reinstalled with a new transmission pan gasket and a new transmission filter. New fluid is put into the pan, which will help provide key lubricating and cooling properties as the vehicle is running.
In some ways, an automatic transmission service is similar to a regular oil change. It’s about making sure the fluid flowing through the system is fresh, clean and doing what it is designed to do. If any other concerns are found during the inspection or service process, the Ralph’s Transmission service team will provide a full report and let you know any repair recommendations. Whether it’s good news or bad news, we always want to let you know exactly what’s going on with your transmission. That way, you can make more informed decisions when it comes to caring for your vehicle.
How Often Do I Need a Transmission Service?
How often a transmission needs to be serviced will vary from vehicle to vehicle. It depends on the make and model of the vehicle, the age of the transmission, your own driving habits and conditions, and various other factors. The general interval is somewhere between 30,000-60,000 miles, though some modern cars may only need a transmission service every 100,000 miles or so. All types of transmissions will need to be serviced with fluid changes at some point. This includes manual transmissions and continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
Whether you try to do the work yourself or bring your vehicle to a Central Valley transmission specialist like Ralph’s Transmission, it’s always important to use the right transmission fluid for your type of transmission. That is a common mistake that DIY mechanics make. Some others may notice their transmission fluid is low or leaking, so they just top it off. Whether you use the proper fluid or not, a transmission fluid leak or low levels are causes for concern. The same goes for if your transmission fluid is dark, dirty, discolored or filled with metal shavings. These are signs of transmission damage that should be inspected and repaired sooner or later. Ralph’s Transmission is happy to provide a free transmission inspection if you are worried about your transmission. In addition, we offer free towing if you live within a 30-mile radius of our downtown Modesto shop.
Central Valley Transmission Repair & Maintenance
For all your transmission service, inspection, repair and maintenance needs, count on the team at Ralph’s Transmission. Call us today at 209.526.1909 or schedule your next service appointment online.