Keith Pierson Toyota

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Transmission Service in Jacksonville, FL

Your Toyota has a complex system that propels it. This system has many mechanical, electronic, and hydraulic components that work in unison to get you to work, home, the grocery store, or anywhere you go. Most of the time, these systems work perfectly, and you never give them a second thought. 

However, regularly scheduled maintenance helps keep your Toyota running at its peak so you can continue focusing on more important things. One significant system in your Toyota is its transmission, which needs service to keep it in top condition. 

Unfortunately, many drivers don't understand their transmissions or how or when to service them. To help, we asked our maintenance experts to explain how your transmission works and what you can do to do to keep it running at its peak.

What Is a Transmission?

Your transmission transfers the power generated from your Toyota engine and delivers it to the drive wheels. However, your engine produces steady horsepower with every camshaft rotation. That power must be modulated through a series of gears so that the vehicle can speed up, slow down, or idle at a stop without harming the engine or the drive wheels. That series of gears is your transmission. 

What Is Transmission Service?

Servicing your transmission usually consists of flushing old transmission fluid and replacing it with fresh, like changing your engine oil. However, older vehicles may need more advanced work to bring your transmission up to peak operating standards. 

This work might include thoroughly inspecting gaskets, pumps, and seals. It might also call for replacing the transmission fluid filter, cleaning the fluid pan, and replacing the pan gasket. 
At Keith Pierson Toyota, we have the knowledge and experience to inspect your transmission and perform routine and advanced services at our service center

Transmission Fluid Explained

Transmission fluid acts very much the same as engine oil. It lubricates the many moving parts within the transmission, protecting them from friction and high heat. 

Depending on the type of transmission your Toyota has, you'll need the proper fluid. For example, most automatic transmissions use automatic transmission fluid (ATF). On the other hand, a manual transmission may need one of several types of fluid. These could be gear oil, motor oil, or ATF. If you need more clarification about what type of fluid your transmission uses, consult your owners manual.

How Often Do I Need Transmission Service?

This answer depends on the make and model of your Toyota, the type of transmission, and the kind of service performed. You can find all the factory-recommended services and intervals in your owner's manual. 
Manual transmissions generally need service between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. The fluid protecting manual transmission collects contaminants over time. These are particulates resulting from worn bearings and gears within the transmission. The more particulates present, the less effective your transmission fluid is at protecting its internal parts. So, you'll need to replace it on schedule.

Automatic transmissions can go much longer than manual transmissions before needing service, typically between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. However, automatic transmissions operate at higher temperatures which causes the fluid to break down with usage. And the fluid still collects particulates from worn internal parts. So, replacing the fluid is essential to achieve better longevity and performance.

Even if your transmission is serviced on schedule, you should constantly keep an eye on the system. The most effective way to monitor your transmission is to check its fluid level regularly. Most mechanics suggest doing this monthly. 

You pull the dipstick found toward the back of the engine near the firewall, wipe it clean, re-insert it, and pull it out again. Then you compare the level against the low and high fill lines. Finally, add transmission fluid slowly to avoid overfilling it. If you need to add transmission fluid frequently, you probably have a leak.

You also want to look at the color. Most new transmission fluids will look brick red and have a translucent quality. You probably need a fluid exchange if it seems dark red or brown or has a murkiness. Failing to replace old transmission fluid will shorten the life of your transmission and affect performance.

Indications of Transmission Problems

Keep in mind that the factory schedule for transmission service is a recommendation. How you drive, weather conditions, and other operating situations can affect your transmission, and you may require service sooner than anticipated. Fortunately, you can look for certain signs that you might have a problem with your transmission.

First, if you hear odd noises or grinding sounds from beneath the car while driving, you might have a problem with your transmission. Or it could be something wrong with your drivetrain. Ignoring these sounds can lead to costly repairs, so please have your Toyota inspected immediately if they happen.

You might also notice that your car has difficulty shifting gears. It could happen as you move up or down the gears. If it happens while you accelerate, you'll hear the engine whine as if you revved it in neutral. What's happening is that the transmission gearbox isn't engaging properly, and the engine is straining to keep up.

Sometimes, your transmission will slip a gear, not engaging the next gear. Or it could skip a gear, moving two or even three gears ahead of where it should be. Again, this skipping and slipping indicate a problem with your transmission that needs immediate attention. Therefore, we recommend you bring your car into our service center for an inspection right away.

Get Your Transmission Serviced In Jacksonville Today

At Keith Pierson Toyota, we offer complete transmission services on all Toyota vehicles. We give our technicians continuous factory training to remain experts in all mechanical issues. They routinely work on automatic, continuously variable, and manual transmissions.

And our service center has the latest tools and equipment to help diagnose and repair any problems you might have with your car. In addition, we've streamlined the service process with our online scheduling tool. Simply choose the day and time that works for you and let our team handle the rest.