What’s Involved in a Car Transmission Service?

A car transmission service is an integral part of its routine maintenance. To understand that better, we need to first understand what a car transmission really is.

It is sometimes referred to as the gearbox. The transmission is what shifts the gear and distributes the engine’s power across tyres to move the vehicle in a controlled and smooth manner.

A transmission system has several parts. But what keeps them in perfect shape is the transmission fluid responsible for maintaining smooth functionality. Apart from lubricating the parts, it maintains the fluid pressure and temperature, prevents oxidation and rust, and conditions the gasket.

In essence, your car’s transmission is what keeps the engine running and helps you speed up or slow down when needed.

Without a proper transmission and correct transmission oil, you may face all kinds of problems driving your car. Some of them include:

- Burnt smell

- Weird sounds

- Late shifting

- Unresponsive gears

- Shaking (especially when shifting gears)

- Slipping gears

- Fluid leakage

- Over-heating

- And unprompted movement in engine light or other warning lights.

If you feel your car is showing any of these signs, chances are there is something wrong with its transmission system.

The good news is that you can seek professional assistance from a reliable European car mechanic. They can offer you the best transmission service for your car, ensuring its proper functionality and longevity.

What Is A Transmission Service?

While the main aspect of a car transmission service is to replace the old transmission fluid with a new one, a complete transmission may vary based on its type. As such, there are 2 types of transmission systems - manual and automatic, with the latter having a few different kinds.

A standard transmission service would anyhow include-

- inspecting the sump pump or pan.

- cleaning or changing the pan gasket and filter.

- and replacing the old contaminated transmission fluid.

Let’s find out more.

What Does A Transmission Service Include?

Based on your car’s model and specific needs, the most common types of transmission services that you can avail of are:

Manual Transmission Service

Applicable for cars that use a manual gearbox or transmission system. In a manual transmission, the driver is responsible for applying the clutch and gears when required, which is not always spot on.

There is a lot of room for inconsistencies and human error when on the road. Which ultimately leads to heat, friction, and wear and tear in the metal bearings and gears. As a result, millions of tiny abrasive metal particles float around and get mixed up with the transmission fluid, thus compromising its viscosity.

Contaminated transmission fluid can further damage the smaller yet sophisticated parts that are rather expensive than the entire car transmission service.

So, a manual transmission service would involve draining the entire transmission system so that no remnants of the old contaminated fluid are left. And then refilling it with new and correct transmission fluid.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Exchange

This is pretty much the same as the manual transmission service. The only difference is the cause of contamination.

Unlike manual transmission, automatic transmission does not use any human input or manual overload in shifting the gears. It does that automatically by using the sensors that detect the car’s speed and engine’s RPM with the help of ECU or the electronic control unit.

But due to the more input required by the machine to change gears on its own, more heat is generated in an automatic transmission.

This overheating can, in turn, break down the molecular bond of the transmission fluid and degrade its overall quality or viscosity.

Therefore, an automatic transmission fluid exchange would include draining out the old fluid, checking and replacing the drain plug if needed, and refilling the transmission system with fresh and clean fluid.

Automatic Transmission Drain and Fill

It also involves draining out the old transmission fluid, reinstalling the drain plug, and refilling the transmission with the new automatic transmission fluid.

Automatic Transmission Filter Replacement

The role of an automatic transmission filter is to remove any dirt and abrasive particles from the transmission fluid. Yet over time, it loses its capacity to perform its role.

This service, therefore, includes replacing the transmission pan, filter, and gasket, as well as the automatic transmission fluid of quality grade to the proper level.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Exchange and Filter Replacement

It is comprised of all of the above. Plus cleaning the torque converter and transmission cooler and refilling it with the best available transmission fluid.

Complete Transmission Service

This is certainly the best and the most comprehensive approach to servicing your car transmission system. It covers all the aspects of a transmission’s maintenance.

For instance:

- draining the entire system.

- inspecting all the transmission components for any friction damage and signs of metal particles.

- cleaning/ replacing the filter, sump, pan, and gasket material.

- and refilling it with the recommended transmission oil to the right level.

When To Change Transmission Fluid?

Again, the time to change the transmission fluid depends on the vehicle type and transmission system. For a manual transmission, the recommended period to replace the old fluid is about every 30,000 to 60,000 miles of a car run.

In the case of an automatic transmission fluid, where the lifespan of the fluid is longer, the suggested point of time is anywhere between 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

How Often To Perform Transmission Fluid Change?

Many modern transmission systems do not have a specified date or deadline to change the transmission fluid. Some even profess that it is built for life.

The reality is, however, far from it. Despite all the advancements and improvements in the modern transmission fluid, it still oxidises and loses its viscosity, especially under harsh conditions and difficult terrains.

So if you didn’t get any specific instructions from the manufacturer, look for any signs of malfunction or fault in the transmission system.

If you find any, don’t wait up. Get in touch with a European car mechanic in Melbourne and the near vicinity for a full check-up of your car transmission’s health.

If you feel everything is fine, you might still want to consider including the transmission service in your regular car maintenance routine.

Conclusion

Regular car transmission service keeps your engine clean and the smaller parts cooled up and well-lubricated for a smooth operation and a smoother ride.

Although an expensive system, regular transmission system maintenance can prolong your vehicle’s life and save you ample money by not allowing any major failures and unwanted repairs. So next time you’re up for your BMW car’s routine maintenance, check its transmission system as well and go for BMW services in Melbourne.