What’s Involved in Routine Transmission Service?

Regular car maintenance is an easy way to keep your vehicle running at top performance for an extended time. Most people know to give their car frequent oil changes, but did you know giving your transmission some tender loving care will save you from costly repairs down the road? Here are some illuminating facts about the transmission service available at your Crain Kia dealer.

What Is a Transmission Service?

Transmission Pan-Drop Fluid Change

Your service technician will remove the bottom pan and drain the fluid using some help from gravity. Debris discovered in the bottom of the pan can provide valuable insight into the condition of your transmission. It’s important to note that the pan-drop change only replaces about half of the fluid at a time, as the other half remains in the torque converter. To thoroughly clean the transmission, your technician will drain and replace the fluid several times.

Filter Replacement

Just like oil filters, transmission filters accumulate dirt and debris over time. That’s their job. To ensure your vehicle continues to run optimally, changing your filters every 30,000 miles or every two years is essential–whichever comes first.

Transmission Fluid Flush

Our licensed technician will use a pump to efficiently drain all the used fluid, sludge, and grime. This ensures a timely and thorough cleaning process. The transmission will then be refilled with fresh, new fluid to keep it running smoothly. A flush is performed after evaluating the condition of the transmission’s interior through inspection of the fluid pan.

Inspection

The service technician will carefully inspect the pan, filter, and all transmission parts for signs of wear, damage, and potential problems. Professional recommendations for repairs will be suggested to save you costly repairs later on. It will be far easier and cheaper to replace a simple gasket than to rebuild the whole transmission.

When Should You Visit Your Kia Dealer?

Filters should be checked every 30,000 miles, but check the recommendation in your owner’s manual. Generally, the best time to get service on your automatic transmission is 100,000 miles. Or 60,000 miles if you drive in extreme conditions like snow or sub-zero temperatures.

Seek immediate expert advice if you notice any of the following:

• Check engine light is on
• Red fluid leaking from the car
• Slipping or grinding gears
• Sluggish shifting
• Noises when in neutral
• Unresponsive transmission
• Smoke or burning smells

Although DIY projects seem appealing, please heed this warning: a transmission fluid and filter change is messy, challenging, and requires specific car repair equipment. Today’s transmissions are tightly sealed and require computer-assisted technology, making service nearly impossible for do-it-yourself hobbyists. Transmission work is best left to the experts. Bring your car to Crain Kia at 5830 Warden Rd and let our experts keep your transmission happily humming down the highway.

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