Revisiting Your Vehicle's Automatic Transmission: An Overview
Revisiting Your Vehicle’s Automatic Transmission: An Overview
Of every component or system that is responsible for your car’s performance, your automatic transmission is the most complex. It sits near the rear of your engine and transfers power to the drive wheels. It automatically selects gear ratios by monitoring the speed at which you’re driving as well as the engine load. By doing so, it helps your engine operate within an RPM range that is optimal for your driving conditions.
As with your engine, problems with your transmission can be expensive to repair (though it is not always the case if problems are identified early enough). In this article, I’ll briefly describe the parts involved with its operation. We’ll also explore some of the signs of trouble, and your options when the assembly needs to be repaired.
Pieces Of The Puzzle
Your automatic transmission includes a litany of parts and systems. A planetary gear set (including sun, planet, and ring gears) forms an intricate network through interlocking teeth. Clutches and bands help to manage the planetary gear set. Meanwhile, a hydraulic system uses pressurized transmission fluid sent from an oil pump to control the clutches and bands.
A number of seals and gaskets throughout the assembly prevent oil from leaking. A torque converter disconnects the tranny from your engine and allows your engine to continue running while your vehicle remains at a dead stop. Meanwhile, a governor and throttle cable play key roles in determining shift points by monitoring your speed and throttle position.
Avoiding Expensive Problems
The most common signs of trouble are leaks, dirty transmission fluid, and abnormal noises coming from under your car’s floorboard. In the same way your engine needs oil for lubrication, your transmission needs fluid. If you notice a leak, you should have it fixed. If you only see a few drops on the ground, periodically replenishing the level may be enough to postpone going to a mechanic. However, leaks never resolve themselves. They grow worse with time.
You should also get into the habit of checking the quality of the fluid. It should have a light reddish tint. If it is muddy or dirty, you should have it changed.
If your automatic tranny has developed a problem, you will notice odd behavior. For example, you might hear a whine coming from the floorboard or feel vibrations. You might also feel a hard, lurching shift as your transmission experiences difficulty finding the gears. Take your car to a mechanic or specialist immediately. If these types of problems are not resolved, they can lead to expensive damage.
Having The Assembly Repaired
Most leaks can be resealed relatively easily without removing the assembly from your vehicle. However, leaks from the front seal will require removal before they can be addressed.
Some problems are related to components that can be accessed without removing the transmission (for example, the electrical parts). However, this varies by the assembly.
If your tranny has sustained extreme wear and tear and is on the verge of failure, you’ll have the choice of replacing it or having the entire assembly overhauled. Both options are expensive, an issue we’ll explore in the near future. For now, it is enough to say that any problems with your transmission should be addressed quickly to avoid costly headaches later.
