The ASE-certified technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive Rufe Snow in Texas are here to share frequently asked questions about the transmission and their answers. This information will help you the next time you’re at a local auto repair shop in North Richland Hills.

How can I extend the life of my transmission?

First things first, you should check the level and quality of your transmission fluid. If the fluid is low, you may have a leak. It’s usually bright red in color, so check your parking spots to see if there’s fluid leaking.

If the transmission fluid is dark brown or black in color, it has lost the ability to adequately lubricate the transmission parts. It should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent any damage to the car.

What can cause damage to an automatic transmission?

There are several things that can cause damage to the transmission. Driving off in your car before the transmission fluid has had a chance to warm up is a big problem, especially in winter months. Give your car 30 seconds to a minute to warm up during the summer and at least a full minute during the winter.

Putting your car in reverse while you’re still moving forward, or vice versa, can also be damaging to the transmission. Racing and overheating your engine will also cause transmission and drivetrain issues.

Are there any warning signs that point to transmission trouble?

There are several signs that point to bigger issues a qualified mechanic should look into. If the vehicle experiences a delay in shifting when you put it into gear or won’t shift into gear at all, the fluid may be low. Strange sounds such as a humming or clunking noise, the check engine light comes on or abnormal acceleration are all signs that there’s a more complex issue with the transmission.

Why does automatic transmission repair cost so much?

The cost of rebuilding or repairing a transmission fits with the amount of work that’s involved. Modern transmission systems are very complex. They easily have over 3,000 electrical parts packed into a little box. It’s a lot more involved than changing spark plugs. Just getting to the transmission can be a major hassle on some cars.

When should I go to Christian Brothers Automotive Rufe Snow?

Anytime you have a concern with your car or truck’s transmission, we’re happy to look at it! We provide our customers with a courtesy inspection to diagnose the vehicle. We’ll thoroughly explain our findings before letting you make the final decision for your car. Our technicians are experts at what they do and we back our work with 2-year/24,000-mile Nice Difference warranty! Give us a call in North Richland Hills, Texas, to schedule your transmission service and see the nice difference!