Automatic Transmission Problems?

Have you ever noticed some funny shifting going on with your automatic transmission?

Maybe the gears are clunking a little either on the way through the gears – or on the way back down – or both.

Shudder at the thought right, because you’ve heard how much transmissions are to either fix or replace.

The average cost of rebuilding a transmission is between $3,000 and $4,000 for most modern cars.

Some cars are notorious for dodgy transmission and chromic faults.

A few cars that immediately come to mind are the circa 2003 Honda Odyssey and some of the early 2000’s Audi A4s.

In the case of the former, we had a 2003 Odyssey here we traded once.

After doing some research online, the general consensus was that Honda should have recalled them because they are so prone to failure.

The sticky point was that Honda USA recalled them, but nowhere else in the world did.

We had to rebuild this one at a cost of $3,500.

But I digress.

My point is when a transmission starts to play up, it may not be all doom and gloom.

First thing to do is check the level and the quality of the transmission fluid.

Because it can be a bit of a pain to flush a transmission and change the filter, it is not something done in general servicing.

Often the whole bottom part of the case must be removed to change the filter.

And it is not just a matter of dumping the fluid.

Best practice when flushing and changing the fluid is to remove the inlet cooling hose to the radiator and run the engine, whilst adding new fluid into the top.

When the fluid running out the bottom hose starts to change colour to the new fluid, then stop the engine, reattach the hoses, and top up to the specified level.

On that point, how do you know if your fluid needs changing?

If your car has a dipstick, check the colour of the fluid. It should be a crimson red.

Fluid desperately requiring a flush and change has a dark maroon colour and will actually smell burnt.

Compare the smell of this to the new fluid and you will tell what I am on about.

If you have done all of this and you still experience shifting problems, there is another good, simple and free process you should try.

This process is resetting the automatic transmission control module – which I will explain in next week’s post.

In the meantime got a car to sell whether the transmission is good or not? Call me on 0411 362 229 so I can make you an offer.