As you’re riding down the highway, there’s a lot that’s going on beneath the surface of your vehicle’s chiseled facade. One of the hardest working components is your transmission, and whether your vehicle has an automatic or a manual, taking care of the transmission is crucial to the quality of your ride. Equally as important is finding a vehicle with the right type of transmission, but if transmissions are on your mind, you’ve come to the right place. If you are looking for a “transmission shop near me,” Klein Honda is proud to be your transmission destination. Here’s everything you need to know about your vehicle’s transmission so that you can find the vehicle with the setup you need, as well as service it properly to enhance your drive in every way.

What Does a Transmission Do?

Your vehicle’s transmission is responsible for sending power from the engine to the wheels, moving you along the highway, city streets, or wherever else you happen to be traveling. It shifts through a series of gear ratios, converting the power from the engine to match your vehicle's speed so that you’re able to travel comfortably and efficiently. A well-maintained transmission offers superior fuel efficiency, allowing you to maximize time in between trips to the gas station, and it helps your engine work at its best so that it doesn’t overheat and break down. As you can see, your transmission has a very important job to do, which is why you need to take it seriously and give it the attention it requires.

Types of Transmissions

When you’re shopping for a car, it’s advised to find a model that has the transmission type that is going to work for your needs. You may not realize it, but there’s more to transmissions than just automatic or manual. Choosing a model that offers you the control, responsiveness, and operation you require is critical to ensuring a quality ride each time you step inside your vehicle. Here are some of the most common transmission types:

Automatic Transmission

Most vehicles these days have automatic transmissions, which automatically shift their gears for you so that you can focus on the journey ahead. All you have to do is shift into drive, and your vehicle does the work for you, effortlessly shifting into first gear, second gear, and so forth, allowing you to enjoy the ideal blend of speed and power from your vehicle. This is a very simple yet effective way to drive, which works for the majority of drivers these days, especially new drivers and those who don’t wish to learn stick shift.

Manual Transmission

A stick shift, or manual transmission, places you in total control of your vehicle’s shifting experience. Instead of your car doing the work for you, you’re the one who shifts between its various gears based on your speed down the highway. It includes a mechanical clutch and gear selector and provides drivers with an exceptionally satisfying experience behind the wheel, especially those who like to have more control over how they travel. Despite the fact that manuals are satisfying to drive and typically offer better fuel economy ratings, they take a bit of practice to learn how to use and are increasingly rare in vehicles these days, as drivers are drawn to models that do the work for them.

Continuously Variable Transmission

Just like an automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) does the work for you, except that instead of discrete gears, this system utilizes belts and pulleys to adjust the gear ratio and accommodate your vehicle’s increasing or decreasing speed down the road. This results in a less jerky feeling than automatics can provide as they cycle through their gears, which in turn makes for a smoother ride. CVTs are becoming increasingly common in vehicles these days. They don’t offer the control and responsiveness that you’ll find with manuals. However, they do provide peak fuel efficiency and performance at all times, which is a win for many drivers.

Dual-Clutch Transmission

A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) provides you with the benefits of a manual and automatic transmission all in one. Unlike a manual, there’s no clutch pedal inside the vehicle’s cabin; instead, shifting is controlled electronically. This system contains two clutches—one for odd-numbered gears and one for even-numbered gears—which results in more control and heightened responsiveness through the gear changes. This allows you to utilize your vehicle as a clutchless manual, which gives you the ease of use that an automatic provides with the level of control that you’d find with a manual. It’s a win-win for drivers who want a perfect blend of both and don’t want to settle for just a manual or just an automatic transmission in their vehicle.

Transmission Service

It’s important to maintain your vehicle properly, and one of the systems that will need to be addressed regularly is your transmission, no matter whether you drive an automatic, manual, CVT, or DCT. Failure to keep up with routine transmission maintenance can result in slipping gears and an overall rougher ride quality. It can also reduce fuel efficiency and overall performance, as well as cause your engine to overwork. By keeping up with routine service, you’ll be able to extend the life of your transmission. Let's take a look at some of the most common transmission services:

Transmission Fluid

Whether you drive an automatic or a manual, you’ll want to check your fluid about every 30,000-60,000 miles. Transmission fluid is critical to your transmission's operation, but over time, this fluid gets dirty and isn’t able to do its job as effectively. You’ll want to replace transmission fluid about every 60,000-100,000 miles for automatic transmissions and approximately every 30,000-60,000 miles for manuals. This is just a recommendation, however—what really matters is your driving habits. This is why checking the color of your fluid may be a better way to tell when you need to change it. Transmission fluid should be red in color, so if you notice that it’s rusty in appearance, replacing it should be on your radar.

Filter Replacement

Your transmission filter helps to filter out the dust and debris that can plague your journey so that it doesn’t end up in your transmission fluid. This will cause your fluid to become gunky and unable to lubricate the various components of your transmission properly. The filter will normally need to be replaced when you change your transmission fluid so that your new fluid doesn’t suffer because of a clogged filter.

Transmission Maintenance Doesn't Have to Be Tough

When it comes to your transmission, it’s clear that there’s a lot going on, and you have many choices regarding how you wish to power your vehicle forward. This is why it’s important to really think about your ride—do you want to have more control over the overall drive, or would you rather sit back, relax, and have your vehicle do the work for you? You’ll also want to pay attention to the quality of your ride and address any issue that turns up, like an illuminated light on your dash or slipping gears, before it starts to negatively impact your ride. The good news is that you’re not alone in all of this, especially when you choose Klein Honda to help you take care of your vehicle and provide you with the transmission services you require. Having a team that you can trust is crucial for the safety and performance of your vehicle, and we are happy to be on your side.