Taking care of your car’s transmission is essential and should never be overlooked. It is also incredibly complex which can complicate things if you plan on fixing the problem yourself. It isn’t recommended for someone untrained to work on transmission but with the right knowledge, you can at least identify the problem and possible solutions.
The standard transmission is, although still complex, simpler and less expensive to repair compared to an automatic transmission. Since an automatic transmission does the shifting for you it would make sense for it to have more moving components therefore making it more involved.
If you own a car with a standard transmission then you may be well aware that it will eventually wear out and require a clutch replacement.
Depending on how aggressively you drive a clutch can last anywhere from 10,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Until that time comes it’s important to pay attention to any abnormalities that may be occurring in your transmission.
Listen for noises. As simple as this may sound this is usually the first step in diagnosing any problem with your car. Take note of what kind of noise is being made, when it is occurring, and its frequency.
A high-pitched whining or grinding may mean you’re low on oil. Refill it with the proper fluid and test drive it again to see if the noise goes away. If not then more steps are required to fix it.
If you notice changes in your shifting then something may be wrong with the clutch. A clutch that is difficult to shift or has problems staying in a certain gear almost definitely means a service or repair is for the clutch.
In the end, you’re more than likely going to have to bring your car into a shop for transmission service and repair. The experienced mechanics administer the proper services and repairs so you can drive safely and confidently on the road.