At Coastline Auto Repair, we believe in keeping your car in top shape so you can drive with confidence. One of the most important, but often overlooked, parts of regular car maintenance is the transmission service. What exactly is a transmission service? Why does your vehicle need it? And how does our team make sure your transmission stays healthy? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is Transmission Service?
The transmission in your car is what transfers power from the engine to the wheels. Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission, its job is to ensure gears shift smoothly, power gets where it needs to go, and your drive feels seamless.
A transmission service is preventive maintenance designed to keep that system working well. It generally involves:
- Inspecting the transmission fluid (checking its level and condition)
- Draining or flushing out old fluid and replacing with fresh, proper-grade fluid
- Replacing filters or cleaning components if applicable
- Checking for leaks, worn parts, or other damage
Automotive expert centres and service providers often include these tasks in standard transmission service offerings.
Why is It Important?
Skipping transmission service can lead to serious problems later. Here’s what regular service helps prevent:
- Overheating: Old or dirty transmission fluid loses its ability to cool well, and heat damages transmission parts.
- Wear and tear: Clean fluid and timely filter changes remove metal particles and debris that cause friction and damage.
- Gear slipping or rough shifts: Proper fluid and care help gears engage properly and prevent jerky shifts.
- Costly repairs: Fixing or replacing a transmission is far more expensive than regular maintenance.
In short, transmission service isn’t just about fixing things, it’s about preventing breakdowns and preserving your car’s performance.
When Should You Get Transmission Service?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but several common guidelines can help:
- Manufacturer’s recommendations: Your owner’s manual will usually say how often transmission service is needed.
- Driving conditions: Frequent towing, heavy loads, or lots of stop-and-go traffic can wear out transmission parts faster. You might need service sooner in those cases.
- Signs of trouble: If you notice anything off, slipping gears, odd noises, delayed shifting, fluid leaks, don’t wait. Come in for an inspection
Some auto experts suggest automatic transmissions should be serviced every 60,000 –100,000 km (or miles, depending on model and conditions). For manual transmissions, the intervals might be more flexible but still require attention.
What Happens During a Transmission Service at Coastline Auto Repair?
Here’s how we at Coastline Auto Repair handle transmission service to ensure your vehicle stays reliable:
- Fluid Inspection and Assessment
We check the current transmission fluid for colour, smell, and how contaminated it is. If its dark, smells burnt, or full of debris, that tells us it’s time for service. - Replace or Flush Old Fluid
Depending on the condition, we’ll drain the system (or flush it), removing old fluid so new fluid can do its job properly, lubricating, cooling, and protecting internal parts. - Filter Change and Gasket Check
If your vehicle has a filter in the transmission, we change it. We also check for worn or leaking gaskets and make replacements to prevent leaks that lead to bigger problems. - System Inspection
We look over the transmission pan, seals, hoses, mounts, and related components for any signs of damage, wear, or leaks. - Test Drive and Final Checks
After servicing, we test-drive your vehicle to make sure shifts are smooth, performance is good, and there are no warning signs or leaks.
Why Choose Coastline Auto Repair?
If you’re in Surrey or the surrounding area, here’s what makes our service special:
- Experience you can trust – Our technicians are skilled and have seen many makes and models.
- Transparent advice – We’ll explain what your transmission needs, why, and when. No surprises.
- Quality fluids and parts – We use the right fluid and parts for your vehicle. Using the wrong kind can cause issues.
- Preventive approach – We believe it’s better to catch transmission issues early, before they become big, expensive problems.
Signs It’s Time to Book a Transmission Services
You don’t always need to wait for a scheduled maintenance interval. If you notice:
- Strange noises when shifting gears
- Gears slipping or delays when accelerating
- Dark, burnt-smelling transmission fluid
- Fluid pooling under your car
- Check-engine or transmission warning lights
Your car’s transmission might be one of the more complex systems under the hood, but regular transmission service keeps it running smoothly, safely, and for longer. At Coastline Auto Repair, we aim to make that service simple, affordable, and effective. Drive in with confidence and let us take care of the rest.
