One of the most difficult tasks for the average car owner is to communicate effectively about the nature of transmission trouble. The simple solution is to describe exactly how the car is behaving.

Just saying the "car doesn't work right" gives little real help to a mechanic attempting to diagnose the problem properly. If the car owner will be more specific, then the mechanic will understand more clearly what to expect when the vehicle is given a road test.

Here are a few good examples of how to explain what is wrong:

       1. The motor races between shifting gears.
       2. The car shifts late or misses a gear.
       3. A clunking noise is heard when the transmission goes into a lower gear or slows down.
       4. The car doesn't shift out of first gear.

What is an automatic transmission?

Basically, an automatic transmission is a highly complicated, enclosed system of gears that acts as a coupling or connecting device between the engine and the driving wheels of the vehicle. The device operates under preassure of the transmission fluid which also lubricates and cools it. When the driver places the transmission selector lever in "drive", the torque converter in the transmission provides power from the engine to the transmission gears. The power is then transferred to the driving wheel which moves the vehicle.

How Do I Care for My Automatic Transmission?

The most important, yet most easily overlooked factor in automatic transmission operation is the transmission fluid. It is the life blood of an automatic transmission.

Therefore, the first step in caring for an automatic transmission is to maintain the proper fluid level. A dipstick is provided for this purpose. It is located (on most cars) in the engine compartment at the back of the engine, right next to the firewall. It is usually found on the passenger side.

To check the level of transmission fluid properly, first drive the car at least 15 minutes, warming up the engine and transmission, then follow these steps:

After stopping the car, leave the engine running, put on the emergency brake, and put the shift lever in 'park'. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a paper towel or clean cloth, and reinsert it as far as possible into the tube from which it was removed. After a few seconds, remove the dipstick to check the fluid level reading. Do this two or three times to obtain a stable reading.

If the reading is at or below the "ADD" mark, look carefully on the dipstick for the amount of fluid to be added. Usually it will be stated in pints, not quarts. If you are not at a service station, check your vehicle owner's manual for the correct type of fluid to use and other specific instructions. If fluid is needed, pour it slowly and carefully into the dipstick tube, using a funnel to avoid spillage. Then replace the dipstick.