Transmission Repair

There are a massive number of different moving parts and systems responsible for making your vehicle move when you start it and press the pedal. You have the engine, of course, as well as the wheels and suspension, plus the steering system, the crankshaft, and the brakes that ensure you can stop. In the midst of all of these different mechanical systems, you also have the transmission, which is responsible for controlling how power goes from your engine to the wheels. And just like any other part of your vehicle, your transmission needs proper service and will occasionally need repairs to ensure it performs properly.

Whether you are looking for routine maintenance or need a more elaborate transmission repair for your vehicle, we are ready to help at Loganville Ford. Our skilled team of mechanics and technicians know vehicles inside and out, which means they are ready to assist you with anything you need and ensure your vehicle is in great shape. Whether you know something is wrong with your transmission, or something has started feeling off and you are unsure what the problem is, we are here to help. Come visit us at Loganville Ford, and we will take care of your car and have you back on the road as soon as possible.

What Is a Transmission and What Does It Do?

To understand how problems can come up with your transmission, it helps to have a general sense of what it does and how it works. Without getting too bogged down in the complex mechanics of it, your transmission acts as a way to control how much power goes from your engine to the wheels. There is a crankshaft on the engine that turns the wheels on your car, but along with that is the transmission with numerous gears that are a part of it.

By engaging different gears—either manually or automatically—different amounts of power can go from the engine to your wheels without changing how the engine itself runs. This means the engine can run at a fairly steady level, but you can sit idle, drive slowly, accelerate, and cruise along on the highway utilizing different gears rather than putting stress on the engine.

Common Transmission Problems

As you might imagine, the transmission on your vehicle is essential and does a lot of work every time you get behind the wheel. This means that it is under a great deal of stress and strain, and there are a variety of things that can go wrong or wear down over time with use. Here are some of the most common issues that can arise with your transmission and what you need to know about each of them.

Transmission Leaks

One of the most common transmission issues is a leak—your transmission uses hydraulic fluid and pressure to shift gears and control everything. With a number of transmission fluid lines, gaskets, seals, and other components, leaks can occur at a wide range of locations. If you notice fluid under your vehicle, then you should have it checked immediately; if you see fluid while also noticing your transmission feels off, then it is a good bet you have a leak there.

Lack of Maintenance

To be honest, one of the leading causes of transmission problems is a lack of maintenance or failure to follow the manufacturer’s service schedule. We are not the ones to put the blame on owners, but it is something to be mindful of, especially if you have bought a used vehicle. It is vital that the service schedule for transmission fluid and filter changes, plus everything else, be followed to ensure a car functions properly.

Slipping Gears

Another common issue is when your vehicle’s transmission has trouble staying in the right gear, which can result in the engine revving high without delivering as much power as you would expect for how hard it is working. If the transmission struggles with shifting gears or a check engine light comes on, these can indicate that the gears are slipping and your transmission needs to be checked out.

Gears Not Shifting

Even more extreme than the difficulty with shifting and holding gears is when your transmission will not shift at all. This can occur for numerous reasons and results in your vehicle being stuck in park, unable to engage and start driving. Give us a call, and we can have your vehicle brought to us, check out your transmission, and have you up and running again as quickly as possible.

Shaking/Shuddering and Grinding

One of the most important parts of car ownership is learning how your vehicle should feel and sound because many problems can be discovered when something feels off. If your transmission makes a grinding sound when shifting gears or you notice shaking and shuddering when shifting, then this typically indicates a problem with it. A variety of issues with your transmission can cause these symptoms, so let us take a look and figure out what the culprit is.

Solenoid Issues

Solenoids are small electro-mechanical valves that are part of your transmission’s hydraulic system and directly control which gear your vehicle is in. They have spring-loaded plungers inside them that can open and close, directing transmission fluid to where it needs to be for your car to be in the right gear. If one of these solenoids is failing or dying, you might experience issues with overall transmission performance and being in the proper gear; we can quickly and easily check to see if you have a solenoid problem and fix it immediately.

Problems With the Clutch

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, you have a clutch pedal while shifting gears. If your clutch will not disengage or does not work properly when you press and release it, then that can be a serious problem—you might not be able to shift gears at all. The solution may be as simple as replacing a cylinder on the clutch or another part of the hydraulic system, so bring your vehicle to us, and we will figure it out.

Excess Noise in Neutral

While most people can detect noises coming from their transmission when shifting gears, it is also important to listen to your vehicle when it is in neutral. If you notice sounds coming from the transmission when you are not moving, you could have issues with the transmission or your engine. We will do a careful inspection of your vehicle to find the source of the strange noise and fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.

We Can Repair or Replace Your Transmission

With all of these transmission issues, the most important thing is that you have the problem located and addressed as quickly as possible. Many vehicle issues start small and become bigger over time, though sometimes a minor issue can escalate very quickly. The sooner you have your vehicle checked out and fixed, the more likely it is that the problem will remain small and relatively inexpensive. Whether you need a simple repair or you need your transmission replaced completely, we are ready to figure it out and fix it so you can live your life with minimal interruption.

Let Us Fix Your Vehicle’s Transmission Today

At the end of the day, the most important thing to us at Loganville Ford is that your vehicle is in the best shape possible so that you are safe on the road. Having your transmission slip gears or become unresponsive while you are on the highway can be frightening and potentially dangerous. The moment you hear something wrong, feel excessive vibrations or shuddering or notice strange smells coming from your vehicle, you should bring it to us right away so we can find out what the problem is. Whether it is a simple leak in your transmission system or a larger problem that needs major replacements, we will find what is wrong, communicate clearly with you about the issue, and fix it as quickly as possible.