RCCC Technical Service Bulletin # 001
Automatic Transmissions
Today’s vehicles are fitted with very complex Automatic Transmission System. Many years ago vehicles were fitted with 3 speed transmissions and as time moved on manufactures realized how important fuel economy was not only for the driver of the vehicle but for the environment. As well as many other reasons, in todays vehicles we have transmissions with anywhere from 5 to 7 speeds. In order to achieve this a large amount of technology has been installed into the transmission. This of course comes at a great price. A replacement transmission in 70 % of the vehicles on the road today can exceed a cost of $ 7000.00. Although many manufactures claim that transmissions these days have a long-life service interval, it is very important to keep your transmission serviced and inspected regularly. The term Long-Life on a transmission really means 5 – 6 years. An owner of a vehicle that travels 25,000 km’s per year would accumulate 150,000 km’s in a 5 – 6 year time period, at this point you should consider getting your transmission serviced and inspected.
One of the most important attributes of modern day transmissions is the fluid, traditionally there was only one type of transmission fluid now days we have many fluids and all of them are specific to the transmission. 90 % are still a red in colour of some sort, but some fluids are clear or yellow.
Most conventionally transmissions still require to be serviced every 25,000 km’s or 24 months when driven in the city ( classed as extreme driving conditions ), vehicles travelling on highways and open roads should be serviced every 50,000 km’s or 24 months. It is always recommended to take note of any drivability issues with your transmission and give this information to your service centre or dealer. Your vehicles computer should store valuable information in the case that the transmission develops a fault or error code. It is also important for the technician to enter the control modules of your vehicle with specific diagnostic equiptment when you have your regular servicing done to ensure that history faults and error codes be attended to early so that un-necessary costs be avoided.
If your not sure when the last time your transmission was serviced or inspected, or you feel as if the transmission doesn’t feel like it once did, feel free to contact Rivercity Car Care on 0432 055 643 or simply visit www.rivercitycarcare.com.au and fill in a booking form. We would be more than happy to inspect your transmission and guide you in the right direction.