While a vehicle’s transmission is essential, it is often misunderstood. Transmission repair is surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can lead to unnecessary stress and costly mistakes for vehicle owners. Let us debunk some of the most common myths and provide accurate information to help you make informed decisions about your transmission and its repair.
Transmission Repair Is Always Extremely Expensive
This is the easiest myth about transmission repair to debunk. The cost of a transmission repair depends on the problem. Minor problems can often be repaired for a few hundred dollars, while a complete transmission replacement can be ten times that.
All Transmission Issues Require a Complete Overhaul
Just like a headache doesn’t mean a brain tumour, transmission trouble doesn’t always mean you need a full overhaul. Visit a reputable transmission centre for a proper diagnosis from a qualified transmission repair specialist. They may find minor fixes or adjustments that can be repaired quickly and cost-effectively.
Transmission Fluid Never Needs to Be Changed
Transmission oil needs to be changed to maintain transmission health and performance. The regularity for changing it changes from vehicle to vehicle and can range anywhere from every 48,000 km to every 96,500 km.
A Slipping Transmission Always Means It’s Failing
Sometimes, people slip and don’t fall. It’s the same thing with transmission. However, it’s important to visit a transmission repair centre as soon as possible because you don’t know if or when your slipping transmission will fall. Some causes of slipping can be minor and easily repaired.
You Can Use Any Transmission Fluid
This myth is like saying you can feed a baby any food, which is completely false. Each human and each type of transmission requires specific formulations or risks serious consequences. In humans, this could be an allergic reaction, while in your transmission, the wrong transmission formulation could cause overheating, seal damage, electrical issues, and much more, including complete transmission failure.
Manual Transmissions Do Not Have Fluid
Pigs do not fly, but men cry, and manual transmissions have fluid; sometimes, transmission repair technicians simply call it gear oil.
Automatic Transmissions Are Sealed Systems
This is true. Some automatic transmissions are sealed systems, but many are not. Either way, it is important to pay attention to fluid levels and change fluids as required – for sealed systems, this may only be under severe operating conditions or at extremely high mileage. Your transmission repair technician can let you know.
You Can Do All Transmission Maintenance Yourself
Any healthcare professional will tell you that everybody needs help sometimes, and any transmission repair technician will tell you the same thing. While you may be a great mechanic, many transmission repairs require specialized tools and expertise best found at a transmission centre.
In Edmonton, we recommend you call Alberta Transmission Service for all your transmission services, whether for an automatic, manual, heavy-duty or CVT transmission. Allison, Hino, Asian, European, or import, we are your Edmonton transmission centre.
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