Transmissions
The last thing most vehicle owners want to hear from a service adviser or mechanic at an auto repair shop is, “It’s your transmission.” Ouch! Usually a diagnosis like this translates to big money.

One way to put off the date of this kind of diagnosis is to have your transmission fluid checked at least twice a year. If it’s too low, your vehicle may shift poorly; even worse, leaving it low can damage the transmission. (Tip: If it’s low a lot, check for fluid leaks. Transmission fluid is usually dyed red so it’s easy to differentiate from other vehicle fluids.)

Where to find transmission leaks

Because transmissions operate within a closed system, there are only a handful of places where leaks happen: at the base of the filler tube; at the drain hole beneath; at the radiator; at the selector shaft; at the speed-sensor mounting location; between transmission and engine; and finally, from the tail shaft seal or the transmission pan gasket (these last two are the most common sites of transmission leaks).

More Things to check if you suspect it’s the transmission

TIP: Inspect and replace your filter before you do anything else. This simple action can often take care of transmission problems. If changing the filter doesn’t solve the problem, then you can gasp and start sweating out the possibility of a major repair bill.

Here at G&J Auto Center we warranty our transmission rebuilds up to 3yr/100,000 miles. Our AAA-approved for total car care, ASE-certified master mechanics know the ropes as few others do in Corvallis. So when your transmission starts showing troublesome symptoms (e.g., burning smells; check engine light; dragging clutch; clunking or humming; grinding or shaking when you change gears; leaking fluid; no response; slipping gears; transmission noisy when in neutral; vehicle refuses to go into gear; whining) give us a call—we do it all. (541) 752-3445