A slipping transmission in Silver Spring, MD can make for a slippery ride, which is not what you want when you’re driving during the winter. Dealing with transmission problems as soon as possible is wise, but you should also know how to keep your vehicle under control when you run into a problem on the road. Watch this video and learn about how to prevent and correct slides when on an icy road.

Preventing slides is a lot safer than correcting them, although both are crucial skills to have. Always check out the forecast before you go out on a winter day or night, and drive slowly when conditions aren’t ideal. If your vehicle starts to slide around, responding quickly is key to avoiding a disaster. Icy roads can be extremely dangerous, so remember to drive with caution.

Some common questions that transmission shops in Rockville, MD hear from their customers are about strange smells coming from their car. Have you been picking up on an unpleasant, burning odor when driving your vehicle? If so, then you should not ignore this sign, as it may indicate that you are dealing with a transmission problem.

In these situations, some people choose to schedule a transmission fluid change to address the burning smell. While this strategy may resolve the issue if the problem is low transmission fluid, it will not do much good if there is an issue with the transmission itself. For this reason, if your vehicle is producing a burning smell, then consider bringing it to a transmission specialist to have it evaluated by an expert. By taking care of this issue sooner rather than later, you can help protect your transmission and get rid of that bad smell.

If you’re having transmission problems in Rockville, MD, you should head to the transmission repair shop as soon as you can. Transmission problems can be extremely serious, and they can set up dangerous situations if you don’t take care of them in a timely fashion. The last thing you want is to deal with a transmission failure while you’re on the road, but there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening. Low transmission fluid, clogged filters, and problems with the clutch can all contribute to transmission damage, so watch out for these issues. Here is a closer look at the common causes of transmission damage.

Lack of Fluid

Transmission fluid keeps your transmission lubricated, which allows it to do its job without issues. However, a leak or similar transmission problem will drain the fluid. A lack of transmission fluid means that the transmission won’t be properly lubricated, which in turn means that too much friction will be created. Remember to keep an eye out for puddles in your driveway, and look at your parking spot when you pull away. If there are puddles of red liquid, you might be leaking transmission fluid. Dirty fluid can also cause transmission problems, so be sure to change your fluid on a regular basis.

Clogged Filter

Did you know that there is a filter for your transmission fluid? Without it, it would be difficult to keep your fluid clean, which would contribute to transmission problems. When the filter is clogged, not enough fluid will be able to pass through it. Your transmission might overheat or completely shut down, both of which can be extremely problematic. In addition to having to pull off of the road, you’ll have to seek transmission repair to get your vehicle running again.

Clutch Problems

When you have a manual transmission, you need to understand your clutch. If your clutch is jammed, your vehicle might shake and you may have difficulty switching between gears. Go to a professional immediately if you have this kind of transmission problem, and look out for strange smells and sounds.

A working transmission is vital for any vehicle. While you can expect your transmission to remain in good shape for thousands of miles down the road, there may come a time when you need to bring your car in to the transmission shop for service. By paying attention to the signs of transmission problems, you will know when you need to visit your transmission specialist in Silver Spring for a transmission tune up. Let’s review three sure signs that your transmission needs attention from a qualified mechanic.

Random Gear Changes

When an automatic transmission is functioning properly, it will move smoothly through its entire range of gears. A sign of transmission problems is when your transmission seems to randomly slip in and out of gear, especially when you are travelling at a steady speed. Your transmission repair professional will be able to adjust your transmission’s gears and fix any other repair problems that may be causing it to shift.

Thudding Sensations

If your transmission needs significant repairs, it may start to make a thudding sound as it shifts between gears. This sound is the result of your vehicle’s gears failing to engage smoothly or responsively. While these thudding sensations can be irritating, they may also be a sign of a significant repair problem in your vehicle. After you have had your vehicle serviced by a qualified transmission mechanic, your car should drive smoothly and soundlessly.

Failure to Engage

A properly functioning transmission will shift into gear right away after you move your stick shift from the park to the drive position. One sure indicator that your transmission is in need of repairs is when it fails to engage after you have shifted your vehicle out of park. If it takes a few seconds for your transmission to shift into gear, you may have a mechanical or electrical problem on your hands. With computer diagnostic technology, your transmission repair technician can easily identify what is going wrong with your transmission.

The transmission is among the most critical components of any vehicle. Whether you drive a car that contains a manual or automatic transmission, your transmission is designed to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. By matching the output of the engine to changing driving conditions, the transmission also prevents your vehicle from stalling out on the road. Using CV joints, a transmission is able to send the power that is created by the generator directly to the drive wheels of the car. A transmission shop in Silver Spring can help to keep your transmission up and running for many miles down the road.

When you start to notice that your car has a slipping transmission, it may be time to visit your transmission specialist. Using specific tools and equipment, your team of transmission service experts will be able to fully repair the sophisticated components that are located within your car’s transmission system.

A broken transmission can leave you with a major decision on your hands. In order to fix your transmission problems, you may have to choose between repairing the damage and scheduling a full transmission replacement. By consulting with a transmission specialist in Silver Spring, you will receive essential information that can help you make the smartest choice for your transmission repairs. While some transmission problems can be fixed, others may require a full replacement of your system.

There are a few factors to keep in mind when you are choosing between transmission repair and replacement. If your transmission is only suffering from a minor malfunction, a repair may be all that you need to get your car back up and running again. Major transmission problems, such as cracked pans or broken gears, may require a full transmission replacement. Before you decide between repairing or replacing your transmission, it is a terrific idea to get a cost estimate from your technician.

If you drive a high mileage car that is equipped with a manual transmission, you will need to be on the lookout for signs that your vehicle needs a transmission replacement. When manual transmissions wear out, they can put older cars out of commission. A transmission shop that offers rebuilt transmissions in Bethesda can help you determine when it is time to put a new manual transmission in your car. Here is a look at some of the most common signs that your manual transmission is in need of replacement.

Slipping Clutch

As you shift between gears in a manual transmission, you will need to use the clutch to engage and disengage the flywheel. If your clutch starts to slip, you may notice that your engine revs but does not allow you to easily transition between various gears. With a full clutch replacement, you may be able to avoid replacing your entire manual transmission. Typically, you can expect to install a new clutch about once every 100,000 miles.

Difficulty Shifting

When your manual transmission is functioning properly, it will allow you to easily slide between all of its various gears. An extremely sticky shifter could indicate that your manual transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced. In many cases, shifting problems are caused by gears that are extremely damaged. Replacing your transmission’s gears and other major components can help you keep your high mileage car out on the road for longer.

Leaky Fluid

A transmission fluid leak may also indicate that your manual transmission needs to be replaced. If your manual transmission has sprung a fluid leak, you may start to notice pools of bright red fluid forming on the pavement where you typically park your car. Without a steady supply of transmission fluid, your vehicle’s gears and clutch will not be able to operate correctly. For answers to your questions about knowing when to replace your manual transmission, be sure to contact your local transmission repair shop.

Your automatic transmission relies on a steady supply of transmission fluid in order to operate smoothly and efficiently. Since many different transmission problems can be caused by low or leaky transmission fluid, it is important to schedule transmission fluid change procedures at regular intervals. During a transmission fluid change at your local transmission shop in Rockville, your technician will typically inspect the condition of your transmission pan. To help you keep your transmission in peak running condition, here is a look at what you need to know about automatic transmission pans.

Role of the Automatic Transmission Pan

Automatic transmission pans play a vital role in the overall function of a car’s transmission system. The primary job of the transmission pan is to house all of the transmission fluid that is needed to power the vehicle. Along with providing storage for transmission fluid, transmission pans are also responsible for protecting the transmission fluid from foreign contaminants and ensuring that the fluid is properly cooled before it is sent through the system.

Capacity of the Automatic Transmission Pan

Your car’s automatic transmission pan is not designed to hold its full capacity of transmission fluid. Instead, the pan will have enough space to contain up to half of a car’s total transmission fluid. The other portion of the transmission fluid should always remain in your transmission system and torque converter. If your transmission pan is completely empty, you may be experiencing a transmission fluid leak.

Problems Associated with the Automatic Transmission Pan

There are a few common transmission repair issues that can be linked to a faulty or improperly maintained transmission pan. If you drive over rough or bumpy terrain, your transmission pan could get knocked or pierced by road debris. In the event that your pan moves out of position, it could cause a significant transmission fluid leak. To fix your transmission pan issues and restore your vehicle to safe driving condition, you should always bring your car to a certified transmission center for repairs.

Transmission problems can dramatically affect the drivability of your vehicle. When your car starts to experience severe transmission problems , it may start to slip out of gear or produce strange sound and aromas while you drive. With help from a transmission specialist near Bethesda, you can prevent the need for a transmission replacement for as long as possible. Your transmission mechanic can fix problems as they occur, and can also provide you with preventative maintenance services for your transmission. Read on for a look at some mistakes that you should avoid if you want to extend the life of your transmission.

Neglecting to Check Your Transmission Fluid

A common transmission maintenance mistake for many drivers is to neglect regular transmission fluid inspections. Transmission fluid, much like motor oil, is important for cooling, lubricating, and cleaning the various components that are located within your car’s transmission. Every month, you can use the transmission dipstick to make sure that your transmission fluid is at the proper level, and is not getting too dirty.

Forgetting Transmission Maintenance Appointments

Your transmission needs the same level of care and maintenance as the other components in your vehicle. In order to ensure that your transmission has the longest lifespan possible, you will need to have it serviced around every 30,000 miles. During your 30,000-mile service appointment, your mechanic will replace your transmission fluid and filter, inspect your vehicle’s transmission components, and check to make sure that your computer is not sending out any transmission trouble codes.

Driving Under Strenuous Conditions

If you want to go above and beyond to make sure that your transmission has the longest possible life, it is important to evaluate your typical driving conditions. Driving over very hilly terrain, hauling heavy loads, or sitting in stop and go traffic can all cause your transmission to wear out prematurely. By changing your driving habits, you may be able to help your transmission to last for even more miles down the road.

When your vehicle starts to experience transmission problems, your solenoids could be to blame. Transmission solenoids are the part of your transmission that manages the changing of gears. These computerized components can cause serious transmission problems if they are not properly maintained. A transmission specialist that offers car transmission repair in Bethesda will be able to test out the functionality of your solenoids and determine whether they need to be rebuilt. Here is an overview of what all car owners need to know about their solenoids.

How Solenoids Work

While you drive, the computer in your car’s engine is continually monitoring your vehicle’s speed and power. When the computer senses that the car needs to shift up or down in gear, it will send a message to the solenoid. After the solenoid gets the computerized signal, it will deliver hydraulic fluid to the transmission gear set. Depending on the amount of fluid and the level of pressure in the hydraulic line, the transmission will either shift up or down.

Signs of Solenoid Problems

There are a few common signs that could indicate that your solenoids are having problems. When your car starts to shift erratically, your solenoids could be having trouble delivering the correct amount of hydraulic fluid. A transmission that is unable to downshift may also be suffering from broken solenoids. In order to determine whether your solenoid problem is electronic or mechanical, your auto technician will need to connect your transmission to a computerized diagnostic system.

Protecting Your Solenoids from Damage

A minor amount of wear and tear is normal for any set of solenoids. However, your solenoids should last for tens if not hundreds of thousands of miles before they need to be replaced. In order to protect your solenoids from damage and wear, you will want to change your transmission fluid at regular intervals. Fresh transmission fluid will flush dirt and debris out of the solenoids, which will help them to remain in proper operating condition for longer.