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Smooth Shifting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Transmission Care

May 21, 2024

Taking care of your transmission makes for smooth driving.

Ah, the transmission. It's the silent (well, mostly silent) partner in your driving experience. It's the master at translating the engine's power into smooth gear changes, propelling you forward. But for many car owners, the transmission remains a mysterious black box—until something goes wrong.

At Autotrend Auto Repair in Campbell, California, we are transmission care experts. We understand that a healthy transmission is essential for a safe and enjoyable driving experience. That's why we've created this blog to help you unravel the mysteries of transmission care. 

Let's dive right in.

What is a Transmission, and Why Does it Matter?

In simple terms, the transmission is the part of your car that transfers power from the engine to the tires, allowing your car to move forward or backward at varying speeds. It's essentially the bridge between your engine's power and your wheels' motion, making it one of the most critical systems in your vehicle.

A well-maintained transmission is not just a luxury, it's a necessity for optimal performance and fuel efficiency. Neglecting transmission care can lead to costly repairs down the road and even total transmission failure, leaving you stranded and facing hefty repair bills. That's why taking care of your transmission is a responsibility every car owner should take seriously.

What Are The Two Types of Transmissions?

Automatic transmissions (AT) and manual transmissions (MT) are the two main types of transmissions. Let's break down the key differences:

  • Automatic Transmission (AT): This is the most common transmission type, especially in modern vehicles. An AT uses a torque converter and a planetary gearset to change gears automatically based on engine speed and load. The automatic transmission also has a few other subcategories.
  • Manual Transmission (MT): An MT requires the driver to use a clutch pedal and a gear shifter to select gears manually. While less common today, MTs offer more control over the driving experience and are often preferred by performance enthusiasts.

Signs of Transmission Trouble

Before we dive into transmission maintenance tips, it's crucial to be aware of some common signs of transmission trouble. Recognizing these symptoms early can empower you to address issues promptly and steer clear of any further damage:

  • Slipping Gears: If you notice your car struggling to shift or slip out of gear unexpectedly, it could indicate a transmission problem.
  • Strange Noises: Noises such as grinding, whining, or clunking while shifting gears can signal transmission issues. These are also never great noises to hear, so it's a good idea to bring your vehicle in if you hear them. 
  • Delayed Engagement: A delay in acceleration after shifting gears or a hesitation when shifting from park to drive could signal transmission trouble.
  • Leaking Fluid: Transmission fluid is vital for lubricating and cooling the transmission. If you notice a red or brown fluid leaking under your car, it's likely transmission fluid, and you should have it checked immediately.

If you experience any of these symptoms, don't ignore them! Addressing transmission issues early on can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

Transmission Maintenance Tips

Now that you're familiar with the importance of your vehicle's transmission let's discuss some essential maintenance tips to keep it running smoothly:

  • Regular Fluid Checks: Transmission fluid is the lifeblood of your transmission. It lubricates moving parts, reduces friction, and helps cool the system. According to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, regularly check your transmission fluid level and condition. If the fluid is low or dirty, have a qualified technician replace it.
  • Fluid Flush and Filter Change: Transmission fluid can break down and become contaminated with debris over time, affecting its effectiveness. Schedule regular transmission fluid flushes and filter changes to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
  • Follow the Maintenance Schedule: Your vehicle's manufacturer provides a recommended maintenance schedule that includes transmission service intervals. Follow this schedule and have your transmission inspected and serviced as recommended.
  • Avoid Overloading: Excess weight strains your vehicle's transmission, leading to increased wear and potential damage. To reduce stress on the transmission, avoid overloading your car with heavy cargo.
  • Drive Responsibly: Aggressive driving habits such as rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and frequent gear changes can accelerate transmission wear. Drive responsibly and smoothly to prolong the life of your transmission.
  • Keep it Cool: Excessive heat is one of the leading causes of transmission failure. Avoid towing heavy loads in hot weather, and consider installing a transmission cooler if you frequently engage in heavy-duty driving.

By following these maintenance tips, you can help ensure your transmission stays in top condition and avoid costly repairs down the road. It's an investment in the longevity and performance of your vehicle.

Trust Autotrend Auto Repair for Your Transmission Needs

At Autotrend Auto Repair in Campbell, California, we are always ready to help you get your transmission to function correctly. Our team of experienced and caring technicians, backed by years of expertise, has the knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair transmission issues quickly and efficiently. Whether you need a routine transmission service or major repairs, you can trust the Autotrend Auto Repair team to get the job done right the first time.

Don't wait until it's too late—schedule an appointment with Autotrend Auto Repair today and experience.


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Welcome to the April blog! With technology becoming cheaper and cheaper, more people are buying their partners home automobile diagnostic machines for their cars, for birthdays and Christmas presents. It’s a great gift for a car enthusiast who wants to go into a shop with some idea of an existing problem. But the trouble with a diagnostic device is that it doesn’t really offer the answers. It’s a part of the question, one that helps the mechanic work out where the issue is. But we frequently see people coming from parts stores who want a specific part changed. If that part is replaced and the problem still exists, that’s not the fault of the auto mechanic; that’s a shortcut that took the car owner twice as long and twice the price. Still, home computer diagnostics are not a bad thing. It’s important that the user understands it doesn’t have the full story on what’s wrong with your car, usually. That’s something that an experienced auto mechanic uses a diagnostic to narrow the scope of his search. You may ask what’s a home diagnostic is good for: It can give you an indication of what your issues are. By pointing you towards a specific system or part, it can give you an idea of the possible costs to replace it. It can relieve your worries about a more costly issue. If you were worried that their might be a problem with your electrical system and the computer diagnostic is indicating a problem with just the Alternator, that’s a massive relief-- but get the problem properly checked out, to be sure, For the most part, a home diagnostic is missing the most important element you need: the experience of decades of car repairs to understand what the real issues are. At Autotrend Auto Repair, we’ve got Diagnostics in our name. We’re big on testing and resolving the mysteries of your vehicle. For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service, or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
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Welcome to March! Spring will soon be sprung. We hope it’s a good season for you and yours and that you have the resources you need to see your way through the next month. The arrival of spring will bring with it certain other problems: the local fauna will wreak havoc on the sinuses of the unprepared. Particularly in dry seasons, the dusting of pollen all over our cars can make life difficult for the sensitive among us who react badly to pollens, whether tree, ragwood, or otherwise. Protecting your car and your passengers against pollen is important. We’d like to recommend a few each steps to helping you save your passengers (or yourself) during the allergy season: Consider your destination. If you’re going somewhere near a big field of flowers or where the parking will put you right where pollen will hit you, rethink your plans. Wash your car regularly. Get your car washed at regular intervals if the season is dry and the rain isn’t washing the pollen away enough. Air Filters. Replacing your air filters inside your car is a good way to flush out a large accumulation of pollen. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, Autotrend will be happy to take care of it for you! We hope the return of mother nature is kind to you and yours, but if it isn’t, we hope these tios will help you cope during Allergy season. If you need your air filter replaced, bring your vehicle to Autotrend Auto Repair\! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
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By Rose | Autotrend Auto Repair February 1, 2021
It’s Valentine’s Day in the midst of a pandemic! Health concerns will make it difficult to plan out romantic adventures with our sweethearts. It's impossible to predict, over a month away, what the climate for going outside will be. With a new, more contagious variant of Coronavirus on the loose, it is difficult to make any kind of plans right now. It's also true that we need getaways. Our love relationships need cultivation and stimulation, or they become stagnant. We must do something to shake up norms and get the bonding experiences that keep us together. With the Downtown Campbell Farmers' Market closed due to COVID19 concerns, there's a little less to do in Campbell at the moment. While we'd all like to book a table at Elements Massage for an exciting spa day, the best we can do now is to purchase a gift certificate to help them get through the pandemic, too. There are, however, places where you can step out of your comfort zone and get a little variety back in your life. With a pandemic on, no one wants to risk a long trip to an unknown place, so we tend to shelter in our homes until monotony sets in, and we begin to lose sight of just how hard we're all trying to keep ourselves together and stay healthy. But you can still visit a safe, clean space nearby and get out of your own life for a bit. Consider staying somewhere like the Campbell Inn for a few nights away from the chores and household duties to get you and your spouse perked up about reclaiming your own space with a little elbow grease when you get home. Consider outdoor spaces, too, where you can give other couples distance while sharing in the beauty around you. For more than a small sampling of roses this year, you can visit the San Jose Municipal Rose Gardens. It's still not safe to go into movie theaters with large potential crowds, but that doesn't rule out drive-in theaters. From the safety of your car, or with lawn chairs, a picnic basket, and blankets, the West Wind Capitol Drive-In is showing films in the great outdoors. Weather permitting, a great date experience!  We hope your Valentine's Day will have all the tenderness and love you desire, give you a much-needed break from the past few months' events, and help to strengthen your bonds with the ones you love.
Driving In Pandemic | Autotrend Auto Repair
January 1, 2021
Welcome to a new year! As the pandemic carries on into 2021, we’ve had to adjust the way we do everything to keep ourselves and our kids safe. There’s a lot to do every time we go out the door now! Here are some ground rules we should all follow when venturing forth in our cars Know your route. We’re at a stage where we have to consider where we’re headed as where we may potentially break down. So check your route on a navigation device for any detours or obstructions. Be aware of when traffic slows on your way there and back, to avoid high traffic periods. Keep your calm. This is hard, especially with kids around. Sometimes the kids can get excited or loud during a trip. And sometimes outside events can affect our calm: rude drivers, sudden stops, conflicts. It’s important to stay calm and remember that the objective isn’t winning a race when we drive, it’s to get safely to your next destination. And remember, other people may be trying to stay calm, but failing at it. Show them grace and help them out. Checklist the PPE gear you need before you leave the house. Does every passenger have it? Are there spares if someone loses it? Do you have hand sanitizer? And the most crucial: did everyone use the restroom before going to the car? Know that your car is well enough to make the voyage. There’s no sense putting your head in the sand about your car. If it’s in need of some work, it’s best to know what and address it when possible, then ignore it and run the risk of being stranded somewhere with no help in sight. Here’s to you and your family for managing so well this far into the pandemic. If you need an updated inspection of your vehicle, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
Happy Driver | Autotrend Auto Repair
December 1, 2020
At Autotrend, we know how easy it is to take driving for granted, to think of ourselves as invincible and impervious. But other drivers do this, too. To survive them, you need to be aware of their major sins. These 9 New Year’s Driver Resolutions are about helping you be more aware and protected from bad driving on the road. Focus on the drive - Sort out your distractions before you start your journey. Never drive sleepy, never drive after drinking, or under the influence of drugs (illegal and prescribed). Adjust your mirrors properly Before you take the car out of Park. Pull the vehicle over for an emotional conversation. Practice Defensive Driving - every time you get behind the wheel, be aware that someone else may be even more reckless than you are. Don’t tailgate - Leave a bigger gap Obey traffic laws - Follow the speed limit. Use appropriate speed on the highway and come to a full stop at stop signs. Do not switch lanes within 45 yards of an intersection. Share the road - Match your speed to the traffic around you, and get to the right-hand lane if you others wish to go faster. Be courteous - do not let bad driving or selfishness in other drivers affect your driving. Be kind to the mistakes of others. Be present - Hold the steering wheel properly, and wear proper shoes on your feet. Signal - Don’t weave between lanes. We hope you and your family are ready for what 2021 has in store for you. Please, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service, or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
Dining Table | Autotrend Auto Repair
November 12, 2020
Did you know that this Thanksgiving marks the 400th anniversary of Thanksgiving? The first one actually happened on November 9th, 1620, on board the Mayflower. After 65 days in rough seas, the pilgrims finally made it to the shores of North America, just off Cape Cod. They read out Psalm 100 in unison to thank God for their safe arrival. This year, as we gather with our families where we can for Thanksgiving, there will likely be some hard feelings over differences of opinion on politics and science. It’s important that we talk to each other with a willingness to understand our differences as much as stake the claim to our own beliefs. We hope your family forgives their differences and is thankful to be alive and in each other’s company in a year of pandemic. At Autotrend Auto Repair, we’re thankful for your patronage this past year. The continued support of the Campbell community kept us alive and our jobs intact. We hope you will be thankful for the common element that brought us together this year: your car. You can do very small things for your car, and very big things for your car… but in all of our plans, the endgame is to save you money in the long run. Here are our top 4 suggestions for showing gratitude to your vehicles: Clean them. This seems naively simple, but there’s science behind it. Cleaning the outside clears it of dirt and grit that can wind up clogging your systems, and cleaning the inside of your car helps keep you healthy. Also, when your car looks good, you do more to protect it. Consolidate your trips out. Less driving means less wear and tear on your car, and less chance of getting into a random accident along the way. Stop letting yourself get angry in your cars. Road rage and anger of being cheated, cut off, or taken advantage of in traffic only makes you a worse driver. Let your car be your sacred place, instead of a volatile, reactive place. Flush out your systems. Take advantage of our preventative maintenance program to protect your car and extend its life. To learn more about the many ways you can show gratitude to your car, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
Rainy evening | Autotrend Auto Repair
October 1, 2020
Your car takes a beating day in and day out, but as the seasons change and the weather starts to get colder and more harsh, now is the time to start thinking about getting your car ready for the winter weather. Keep reading to find out how to start that preparation! Though the Bay Area isn’t necessarily known for its harsh weather conditions, there’s no telling what this winter season will bring. With fire still raging all over California and the west coast, now’s the time to get fully prepped for the months that lie ahead. Take a look at some of the ways you can get prepped: 1. Engine There are a multitude of things that could go wrong with your engine during the winter, so now’s a good time to give everything a thorough once-over. Get an oil change, and have your fluid levels checked. This should include your antifreeze, oil, windshield washer fluid, radiator fluid, and more. Also take a look at all your belts and hoses, to see if any have abnormal or extensive cracks or leaks. If you do, see an auto mechanic right away. Additionally, you should give your transmission and brakes an inspection, which can easily be handled by the skilled auto mechanic team at Autotrend Auto Repair! While you’re taking a look at your engine, this is also a good time to check on how your air filter is doing. With all the fires raging around California, you don’t want to be breathing in bad air from a clogged air filter. Your car’s cabin filter and all your air filters will likely need changing soon, if not immediately, as a result of the soot and ash in the air. 2. Tires While San Jose enjoys a relatively moderate cold season, the rain and potential hail that we see during the winter can pose just as much of a hazard to drivers as snow. You should inspect your tires for proper tread, as well as abnormal wear and tear, and air pressure, which can easily be performed by your auto mechanic of choice. You’ll also want to have your tires rotated and balanced, in order to ensure that you have full control and precise handling when you need it most in the coming winter rainy season. If you plan on heading to areas with snow or ice on the roads, you may want to think about snow tires or snow chains. With snow tires you’ll get superior maneuverability and handling, though they may be a hassle to buy, install, and remove. Snow chains are another great option, and are easy to put on, take off, and store in your trunk. 3. Lights and Bulbs Lights and bulbs may not seem like they need all that much attention, but when you’re out on the road and your headlight or tail light goes out, you’ll wish you’d checked them! Go through all the lights and bulbs on your car and see if any are dimmed or in need of replacing. If they’re no longer good, give the Autotrend Auto Repair team a call. We’ll get your lights and bulbs squared away with speed and efficiency and have you on your way in no time. 4. Windshield Wipers The windshield wipers on your car are especially important in the winter. With rain, sleet, and potentially snow obstructing your vision while driving, you need to be able to depend on your windshield to clear your view. If you notice that your wiper blades make a squeaking or skipping noise while they’re on, or if they have any visible damage like cracks, brittleness, or chunks missing out of the rubber, you should look into having them replaced. Otherwise, they should be replaced every six months to a year as needed. 5. Car Emergency Kit Your car emergency kit should always remain in your vehicle, and each vehicle you drive should have one! You should cater your emergency kit to your particular car’s needs, as well as the location and terrain you’ll be driving in. Every kit should at least contain jumper cables, flashlight and batteries, flares or reflective road triangles, a warm blanket, basic toolkit, a first aid kit with a small supply of your prescription medications. You may also want to include some bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and an extra cell phone charger. To learn more about how to get your car ready for the fall and winter, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
September 1, 2020
Until recently, most diesel vehicles in the United States were trucks, since the diesel engines are better equipped to haul large or heavy loads like tractors or construction vehicles. Now, the industry is starting to see an influx of passenger cars with diesel motors, and the team at Autotrend Auto Repair couldn’t be happier! Keep reading to find out just why you should own a diesel. One of the most important reasons people choose to buy diesel vehicles is because of their improved fuel efficiency. A diesel frequently gets 30% more miles per gallon than the same car that’s powered by a gasoline engine. With larger vehicles like a truck or SUV, that difference in gas mileage will likely be lowered, though typically they still range about 20% better on fuel than gasoline-powered trucks or SUVs. Another upside to buying a diesel vehicle is that they frequently require less maintenance than a gasoline-powered engine. Gas-powered engines have significantly more ignition issues than their diesel counterparts, so long as the vehicle is maintained. You’ll also have more power at your disposal, since diesels accelerate faster from a complete stop and have far greater towing capacity than gasoline cars. That’s not to say that diesel engines are faster. Diesel engines are not made for speed, which is why you may find you prefer a gasoline vehicle. To illustrate why diesel vehicles remain popular, here is a video from Donut Media that explains the differences between diesel and gas-powered engines.
Charging | Autotrend Auto Repair
August 1, 2020
No matter your skill level, as a car owner, you should get comfortable making sure you can perform some simple car-care practices. Some things you may want to leave to the pros, but there is a bunch of simple vehicle maintenance that you can do easily on your own too! Firstly, you should always get acquainted with your owner's manual. Every car has one, and it’s usually a thick little booklet that's stored in your glovebox. If you can't find it, don't worry; you can always find an online version! Give it a read, and then turn to your maintenance schedule section. This will tell you what kinds of maintenance is needed and when. Next, you'll want to regularly check and change your car's oil and oil filter. Think of your engine as your vehicle's heart and its oil as its blood. It lubricates the rest of the engine, allowing its various parts to work together without grinding and causing damage over time. Old engine oil can cause just as much damage as too little engine oil, so be sure to get it changed regularly. The type of oil you use will be widely up to you, so long as it meets the service and viscosity requirements laid out in your owner's manual. After your oil checks, you should make sure to check your tires each month. Your tires are in constant use in your car, so it's even more critical for them to be in tip-top shape. While it's simple to add air to your tires, you'll need to ensure that they're at the correct tire pressure. Your ideal tire pressure can be found in both your owner's manual and on the inner door jamb on the driver's side door on a white or yellow sticker. You'll need to inflate your tires when they're cold, after having driven less than a mile to get an accurate reading with a pressure gauge. Otherwise, add 4 PSI to whatever reading your gauge gives you. According to your manufacturer, your tire pressure should be no more than 5 PSI over or under the recommended amount. And while you're at it, check your spare tire's pressure too! In addition to checking your tires, you'll also need to inspect the rest of your fluids. Some of the most important to check are your brake, transmission, coolant, and washer fluids. Like with your engine oil, you'll want to check the transmission fluid with a dipstick. Brake fluid, radiator fluid, coolant, and washer fluid levels can all be checked visually. Lastly, examine all your engine's belts and hoses for leaks or cracks. If you spot any leaks, cracks, or bulges in a hose, have it replaced pronto. And on belts, check for signs of wear like cracking, glazing, and missing chunks missing. These should also be replaced as soon as possible to prevent additional costly repairs. You'll also want to inspect your windshield wipers, battery, and air filter occasionally to ensure they are all in good working order. Following this quick list of simple car-care practices will help your car to go for many more months and miles without a hiccup. And if you still aren't comfortable taking on some of these car maintenance tasks, go ahead and give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair service and hybrid service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service, or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
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