Driving in MD: What’s Involved in Routine Transmission Service?

If your transmission ever starts to malfunction, the engine will no longer be able to transmit power to the wheels, and your car will soon grind to a halt. Routine transmission service can help keep your gearbox problem-free and working smoothly. While servicing your car’s transmission, a technician at your local dealership in Baltimore, MD will usually carry out the following tasks. 

What Does It Mean to Get a Transmission Service?

Flushing the Transmission Fluid 

The transmission fluid plays a crucial role in lubricating the myriad moving parts inside your gearbox. This fluid also keeps the temperature down, combats any corrosion, maintains hydraulic pressure, and even helps wash metal fragments and other debris away from the gears. 

But over time, transmission fluid inevitably begins to degrade and thicken, losing its ability to function properly. This is why it’s so important to periodically have your transmission fluid flushed and replaced. While servicing your transmission, the technician will always check the level and condition of your transmission fluid and then refresh it if necessary. 

Replacing the Filter

The constant friction of gears and bushings inside a transmission creates minuscule metal fragments that need to be washed out of the gears. As transmission fluid flows around the system, it carries all such debris away from the gears to the fluid filter.

But if the filter becomes full to overflowing, the debris may start making its way back into the gears where it may begin to cause damage. It’s therefore important to replace the filter whenever it becomes full, which will happen during most transmission servicing visits. 

Inspecting the Pan Gasket

The pan gasket is a slender rubber seal that prevents transmission fluid from leaking out of the transmission pan. Over time, the pan gasket can wear down and develop cracks that might allow a leak to develop. If the technician finds any signs of damage in the pan gasket, they’ll remove and replace it at once. 

Checking for Fluid Leaks

A transmission fluid leak can rapidly cause a great deal of damage to the planetary gear system and other internal gearbox parts. Apart from the pan gasket, transmission fluid can also sometimes leak from a bent transmission pan, a leaking drain plug, or damaged fluid lines. 

Cracked seals and a faulty torque converter might also cause a transmission fluid leak. The technician will search for potential leaks with care and repair any he finds. 

Cleaning the Undercarriage

The underside of your transmission can build up a great deal of grime and dirt from the road. While checking for leaks, the technician will also often thoroughly clean this area of your undercarriage. 

How Often to Have Your Gearbox Serviced in Baltimore, MD

As a general rule of thumb, most drivers should have their transmission inspected every 30,000 miles or every two years. If you drive in more extreme conditions, such as excessively hot, cold, or dusty climates, consider having your car’s gearbox serviced more often.

Visit DARCARS Toyota of Baltimore today to have your transmission inspected and serviced by experienced professionals. We’re a sizable local dealership with a great range of cars and great customer service. If you need transmission repair in Baltimore, we’ve got you covered!

Tags: Transmission Service FAQs
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