Transmission Repair Albany, NY
Modern vehicles come with complicated problems, and transmission problems are at the top of that list. To get the right service, it’s important to take your vehicle to a transmission repair shop that is equipped with the right tools and staff to diagnose and execute proper repairs. In the Albany, NY area, there’s no better place for transmission repair than DePaula Chevrolet.
While an independent shop may seem like the better choice for car transmission repair, DePaula’s repair shop is better equipped and staffed than any independent shop in Albany. We pride ourselves on being GM vehicle experts, but our team has decades of experience working with all types of vehicles. We take the job of diagnosing your vehicle very seriously so you can get a fair estimate and get back on the road as soon as possible.
Wondering if your car’s got transmission issues? Here’s an inside look at common issues, consequences, and how repairs to transmissions are made here at DePaula Chevrolet.
Common Signs of Transmission Problems
Slow Response Time
One of the easiest ways to tell that your transmission is in trouble is that it’s simply not doing its job. Signs of hesitation or hanging on gears is never something to take lightly, as your vehicle’s transmission is made to change gears gracefully with an automatic or on your command with a manual gearbox.
With manual transmissions specifically, this problem can be the sign of a worn clutch or an even more serious issue.
Strange Noises
Unless you’re a certified car whisperer, it’s unlikely you’ll know exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle just from a few noises. But knowing what specific sounds and other noticeable issues go together can point you in the right direction.
When it comes to transmissions problems, you might hear a number of strange noises: whining, humming, grinding, and even clunking. Oftentimes, it’s the timing of these noises that gives it away as an issue with the transmission system. For example, if you only hear the noise while shifting between gears, you can bet that the issue is tied to your transmission.
For owners of manual-transmission cars, this can be easier to diagnose; however, owners of cars with automatic transmissions can tell there are issues by listening for noises after taking off from a complete stop.
Burning Smell
If you’re experiencing a burning smell in your car, you’re probably not thinking that’s a good sign. This could be a number of problems with your vehicle, but this is likely associated with your transmission fluid if you’re already dealing with other signs of transmission issues. If the smell is associated with your transmission, it’s because the fluid is overheating and not able to perform the way it’s meant to perform. The transmission fluid is meant to lubricate parts and trap the heat that would otherwise cause damage to the moving parts within your transmission.
When the fluid fails to do its job, it causes an increase in friction as parts start to grind against one another, generating more and more heat. Let this problem go on for too long, and you could need an entirely new transmission. Catch it soon enough and the transmission experts here at DePaula Chevrolet can repair it and save you a ton of money in the long run.
How Transmissions are Damaged
Overheating
If you’re a car enthusiast, you probably have more than a little fun with your car. But even if you don’t consider yourself an enthusiast, you could still be riding your vehicle a little too hard. Your driving style is ultimately your decision, but you could be damaging your transmission in the process.
When your transmission reaches a certain temperature–typically around 200 degrees Fahrenheit–pushing it any further will begin to cut down on its lifespan significantly. Over time, your car may need to undergo an expensive transmission repair or replacement much earlier than it otherwise would if driven under normal conditions.
Many necessary repairs like this can be avoided for years and thousands of miles as long as you’re not pushing your car to its limits very often.
Lack of Fluid Changes
At DePaula Chevrolet, we’ve encountered countless cases of transmissions that are ruined due to a lack of regular fluid changes. This can become a big issue for older vehicles, but you should be aware of the manufacturer’s recommended change interval for basic fluids like transmission fluid.
There are plenty of hard-to-avoid issues that sneak up on you during longterm car ownership, but be sure that you’re getting regular diagnostic checks while you’re already in for an oil change or other service. The time we take to thoroughly check your car will hopefully turn into a lot of frustration and money saved down the road.
Start and Stopping Quickly
This goes hand in hand with our point on overheating, but it’s worth noting separately as this is a driving habit many people find normal. When you start or stop quickly, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your transmission as it works overtime to shift up or down. Again, this generates a lot of heat.
These sorts of habits don’t allow your transmission to cool down to normal operating temperatures, and can exacerbate problems that you might not even know about yet. Be sure to watch for these habits in your driving routine and work to improve, as it will make the difference between a transmission that leads a long, productive life and one that dies way too young.
Choose DePaula’s Transmission Repair Shop in Albany, NY
If you’re experiencing any of the issues mentioned on this page, you owe it to yourself and your vehicle to at least have it checked out. Even if it’s just a diagnostic, DePaula’s team will go above and beyond to ensure you get insight into your vehicle’s transmission damage and what it will take to repair it.
Not only do we have some of the finest-trained technicians in the Albany, NY area, but we have more state-of-the-art equipment than any other shop to back up their skill. We will give you an honest and fair estimate and work to get the job done as efficiently as possible.
Contact us online using the form below or give us a call at 518-205-6032 to set up an appointment.