Automatic Transmission Services

At Northside Automotive we offer two different transmission services

Automatic Transmission Drain & Replace Fluid.

Our trained technical staff firstly

• Tests drive the vehicle for smooth operation of the automatic transmission.
• We then lift the vehicle on a hoist and remove the service drain plug allowing the removal of the fluid.
• The drain plug contains a magnet. (This is checked for metal fragments.)

(Only If the transmission appears to be in serviceable order)

• We then replace the service plug along with a new sealing washer and refill the transmission with the correct fluid.
• The vehicle is then test driven again checking for correct operation.

WARNING: Never attempt to change the transmission fluid yourself unless you know the correct fluid type for replacement. Incorrect fluid replacement can seriously damage your automatic transmission. Some newer vehicles have removed filler ports to prevent this from occurring as transmissions are expensive to replace and topping up the transmission with the incorrect fluid will cause major damage to its seals and dramatically reduce its operating capacity.

Automatic Transmission Fluid, Filter, Gasket, Replacement and Band Adjustment if Necessary

Again our technical staff firstly,

• Test drive the vehicle checking for correct shift operation and slippage.
• We then lift the vehicle on a hoist and prepare the transmission pan for removal.
• The drain plug is then removed and the fluid is then checked and disposed of in accordance with strict environmental laws.
• After the area has been spotlessly cleaned, the pan studs are then unscrewed allowing for the removal and inspection of the internal base of the pan for metallic deposits.
• The filter is then removed, inspected and replaced with a new unit.
• If bands are able to be adjusted this is then carried out to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• The old pan gasket is replaced and the pan is then bolted back to the gearbox housing.
• We then refill the transmission using the correct fluid as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• The vehicle is again road tested for correct operation of the transmission.

Over recent years transmissions have been incorporated into the vehicles on board computer system, this ensures the best possible life for the transmission if it is serviced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer,

Should the transmission be serviced incorrectly the computer may inhibit the transmission from operating to its best capability, causing you a loss of power and an increase in operating costs.

If you experience any change in how your transmission operates.

• A roughness in operation,
• Slipping in drive
• Difficulty in selecting gears
• Visible leak of fluid

It is advisable to have it inspected and reported on as soon as possible as early detection and repair will reduce the risk of further damage.