How Does your Transmission Work?

In most vehicles, an automatic transmission is a gearbox that uses a complex system of gears and gear trains to convert a rotating power source in order to provide speed and torque. Vehicle’s typically have an idle speed that ranges from 600 to 1000 rpms, and they have an operating range of 600 to about 7,000 rpms. Wheel speeds on most vehicles range from 0 to about 1300 rpms, so a mechanism is also necessary to reduce rpms from the engine to the drive wheels.

Checking your Transmission Fluid

In automatic transmissions, lubrication is key. Most transmission failures can be traced to a breakdown of transmission fluid. In order to maintain a transmission, it is necessary to check transmission fluid periodically and to change it when recommended. Transmission fluid should be changed when it appears or smells dirty or burnt. Additionally, it is of utmost importance to change transmission fluid at the manufacturers’ recommended service interval as indicated in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. At Sant Automotive, we believe strongly in performing a complete transmission service. This consists of dropping the transmission pan, checking for debris, changing the filter, and refilling the transmission with the appropriate factory recommended transmission fluid. Next, we prefer to flush the entire transmission with the appropriate fluid. This ensures that about 95% of old fluid is removed from your vehicle. (Merely, dropping the pan and changing the filter and fluid results in only about 35% of the old fluid being changed.)

When you Replace your Transmission

Properly maintained transmission may last the entire life of a vehicle. Sadly, transmissions do fail, and replacement is recommended. Sant Automotive prefers to use remanufactured transmissions from Jasper Engine’s & Transmissions. In the remanufacturing process, Jasper replaces all wear items. Moreover, Jasper Transmissions come with a three year, 100,000 mile parts and labor, nationwide warranty. If your transmission isn’t performing properly or if you’d like to get the most out of your transmission, come to Sant Automotive or give us a call at 314-849-2900.