Your car's transmission is very simple to break and very costly to repair. Proper maintenance is key in preventing most repair causes, and finding an honest transmission repair expert is a big part of the process. The amount of work and the type of parts needed can greatly affect the price of a transmission repair, as will the following reasons why the repair may be necessary.

Poor Upkeep

Accurate diagnosis of transmission problems is the first step in getting the vehicle running again. If you let a problem go for too long, you can cause damage to the transmission without even knowing it. Poor maintenance is one of the leading causes of transmission repair, but regular checks can prevent costly repairs down the road.

Fluid Issues

Fluid leakage is often encountered when dealing with a transmission problem. If there's a blockage in the system somewhere, or if fluid is leaking, the transmission's moving parts aren't getting the lubrication they need—and failure is the inevitable result. Using the wrong type of fluid in your transmission can cause equally serious issues, but taking your car in for service will help you get just what you need to keep your transmission shifting smoothly.

Wiring and Cables

Wiring and shift linkages are the first things an expert looks at when a driver comes in with transmission issues. One weak link can cause problems in other parts of the system, but an expert can quickly find and fix what's wrong.

Unclear Vehicle History

If you bought a used car, it's not likely that you know the story of its transmission. In some instances, drivers try to do their own repairs, or the transmission may have been poorly maintained throughout its life. Buying a newer, more reliable vehicle may reduce many of these issues, and it can prevent the need for expensive transmission repairs.

Decreased Engine Performance

Your car's engine and transmission are interlinked, and if one part has problems, the other will as well. If your car's engine isn't performing as it normally does, a faulty transmission could be to blame. Bring your car in for service as soon as possible, to prevent a small problem from becoming a big one.

Component Failure

Joints, shafts, gaskets, axles and mounts are the usual suspects where transmission issues are concerned; a fault in the engine computer can cause problems as well. A transmission repair professional can scan the engine computer for trouble codes (numerical sequences that signal problems within a vehicle's on-board systems), and they can check mechanical and electrical components as well.

A vehicle's transmission has numerous moving parts, and a problem with any of them can be a sign of bigger issues within the system. By bringing your car in for regular inspection and maintenance, you and a transmission repair expert, such as Transmission Clinic of Colorado, can find small problems and fix them before they become more serious.