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Monthly Archives: October 2020

  1. How To Check Manual Transmission Fluid

    To learn how to check your manual transmission fluid and keep your vehicle running smoothly, continue reading this simple and helpful guide.
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  2. The Difference Between Automatic and Manual Transmissions

    When purchasing a vehicle, one of the main aspects you need to consider is whether you want a manual or automatic model. Manual and automatic transmissions have numerous differences that can impact driver experience, maintenance costs, and the price of the vehicle itself. Before choosing which type of transmission you want to buy, make sure you are aware of these key differences between automatic and manual transmissions. 

    Driver Experience

    The most obvious difference between an automatic and a manual transmission is the driver experience. Automatic transmissions don’t require drivers to manually change the gears as they drive. Instead, the transmission will do so automatically.

    If a car has a manual transmission, however, the driver will need to physically move the gear shift in order to change the gears in the transmission. While some people enjoy automatic transmissions for their convenience, others prefer manual transmissions for the more immersive driving experience that they offer.

    Number of Gears

    Another key difference between automatic and manual transmissions is the number of gears that they have. Originally, automatic transmissions had a simpler design than manual models and only had three gears. Due to their simplified gearbox, they generally offered less control over vehicle performance than a manual transmission, which generally had at least five or six forward gear ratios, as well as one reverse gear.

    However, over time, automatic transmissions advanced into four, five, six, and now eight and even ten speeds. More advanced transmissions will also have a paddle shift that allows the driver to shift an automatic transmission at the RPM it wants and downshift into a lower gear to get the RPMs up so they can pass at a quicker speed when overtaking a car. As such, some modern automatic transmissions offer a comparable level of control to manual models.

    Complexity of Design

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  3. How To Check Automatic Transmission Fluid

    One of the most common causes of automatic transmission problems is low or contaminated transmission fluid. To keep your transmission working properly, it is important to regularly check its fluid to ensure there is an adequate amount and that it hasn’t spoiled. Fortunately, doing so is a relatively easy task. Below, we provide a simple guide on how to check automatic transmission fluid.

    Locate Your Owner’s Manual

    The first step to checking your automatic transmission’s fluid is to break out your trusty owner’s manual. In many cases, you will check a vehicle’s transmission fluid while the car is in neutral or park and the engine is running. However, some vehicles are checked while the engine is off. To determine whether the engine should be on or off, consult your owner’s manual for clarification.

    Locate the Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If It Has One)

    Once you have determined whether your car’s engine should be on or off and acted accordingly, the next step is to locate and remove the vehicle’s transmission fluid dipstick. This component is typically located near the area where the transmission meets the back of the engine. It will look similar to the oil dipstick but is generally located further back in the engine bay near the firewall. Many transmission fluid dipsticks will have a transmission symbol or a specific color that will further help distinguish them from oil dipsticks.

    It is important to note that some transmissions—such as sealed transmissions—may not have a dipstick and don’t require their transmission fluid to be checked or replaced. In such a case, you should consult your owner’s manual for information regarding your model’s service schedule. 

    Remove the Transmission Fluid Dipstick and Check the Fluid

    Upon locating the transmission fluid dipstick, the next step is to remove it. Then, wipe it clean, reinsert it completely back into the transmission, and remove it again. Check to see if

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  4. How To Take Apart a Manual Transmission

    If you need to complete an inspection or conduct a repair on your manual transmission, consult this guide on how to take apart a manual transmission.

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