Transmission MYTHS and FACTS

Myth: Many transmission problems are computer or electronic related.

Myth: Electronic diagnosis exactly determines the problem with your transmission

Myth: Transmission fluid should be bright red.

Myth: While checking your transmission fluid using a white rag seeing black streaks is an indication of a transmission problem.

Myth: You can get a new transmission as a repair.

Myth: Leaving an automatic transmission in overdrive will ruin your transmission.

Fact: In 30 years I have had less than ten failures due to electronics or a computer malfunction. Watch out for this tactic!

Fact: Computer diagnosis cannot differentiate between mechanical problems and electrical ones. An electrical diagnosis could really be a mechanical failure.

Fact: New transmission fluid is bright red due to a dye additive and will look this way for only a short period of time. It normally turns a brownish red because of heat, and this change in color is NOT an indication of your transmission going bad.

Fact: The metal dip stick will always show a black streak on a white rag. This is no way to diagnose a transmission problem. Watch out for this tactic!

Fact: All transmissions are rebuilt even those from dealers.

Fact: Automatic transmissions determine your gear and will only use overdrive when it needs to. Overdrive is usually shifted into by your transmission only after you reach speeds between 45 – 50 MPH. Switching off overdrive can be done in situations when your are driving down hill and want to take advantage of engine braking. Another instance when overdrive may be turned off is when driving through traffic which involves constant speed up to over 45 MPH followed by immediate slowing down. This will avoid any uncomfortable transmission shifts into and out of overdrive.

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