You’ve come to your diesel repair technician for a truck repair, and your repair technician mentions you need transmission service. What is a transmission service? You’re thinking.
Transmission service is made up of five different processes. Depending on your repair job, you might need some or even all of them.
Whether you’re about to get transmission service or are in the research phase about how to fix a transmission, our diesel repair technicians are here to help make your life easier by better explaining transmission service.
If you’re looking for what happens during routine transmission service for diesel trucks, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll cover the following five automatic transmission-based services:
- Transmission fluid exchanges
- Drains and fills
- Filter replacements
- Fluid exchange and filter replacement services
- Manual transmission service
5 Essential transmission services for diesel trucks
| 1. Transmission fluid exchanges 2. Drains and fills 3. Filter replacements 4. Fluid exchange and filter replacement services 5. Manual transmission service |
1. Transmission fluid exchanges
Automatic transmissions operate by delivering power from the transmission gears in the engine to the wheels. The transmission shifts its gears according to the speed of your vehicle. It also does so to provide the most efficient driving experience for the driver.
Transmission fluid helps cool and lubricate the gears that help your engine run. Nevertheless, this fluid can degrade and needs replacing over time.
A transmission fluid exchange can help prevent premature wear and tear on the transmission. This service includes:
- Removing old transmission fluid
- Replacing the old transmission fluid with clean fluid according to the specifications of your owner’s manual
With each preventive maintenance service, consider checking your transmission fluid to ensure it’s not old or due for replacement.
2. Transmission drains and fills
The purpose of automatic transmission fluid is to help lubricate, cool down, and keep internal components running smoothly. What’s more, transmission fluid also helps maintain hydraulic pressure.
Nevertheless, the additives in transmission fluid can run out. When the additives in transmission fluid run out, gears can grind together, coupling can occur, or worse, a full transmission overhaul may be needed.
The solution is a transmission drain and fill.
With transmission drain and fills, your diesel repair technician will do the following:
- Remove the transmission fill and drain plugs.
- Empty the old transmission fluid.
- Reinstall the transmission fluid and drain plug.
- Refill the transmission with new transmission fluid, according to manufacturer recommendations.
Transmission drains and fills are used in preventive maintenance for vehicles with low and high mileage. 30 to 50 percent of the old fluid is replaced with new fluid. The remaining fluid used in the torque converter and cooler lines tends to stay within the transmission system.
If you don’t have time for a complete transmission flush, a drain and fill may be an option.
3. Filter replacements on transmissions
We’ve talked a great deal about transmission fuel, but what about transmission filters?
The transmission filter is crucial for helping remove dirt, debris, and contaminants from the transmission fluid. As such, transmission filter replacement service includes the following four steps:
- Removing the transmission pan
- Removing the old transmission filter and replacing it with a new one
- Removing the old gasket and replacing it with a new pan gasket
- Refilling the transmission with new automatic transmission fluid
A filter replacement is a fairly straightforward process, but nevertheless, you’ll want to make sure you do it right to avoid any issues later down the road.
4. Transmission fluid exchange and filter replacement
Often, transmission repairs require both fluid changes and filter replacements.
Transmission fluid exchanges and filter replacements should be conducted every 30,000 to 60,000 miles for most heavy-duty trucks. Most drain-and-fill services take about 45-60 minutes, whereas a complete transmission flush can take anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes to complete.
Double-checking with a truck repair team can help ensure you receive the right transmission service at the right time.
5. Manual transmission service
So far, we’ve discussed transmission service as it pertains to automatic transmissions. While much focus has been spent on the market for automatic automotive transmission sales, many trucks still operate with a manual transmission.
As such, manual transmission fluid acts similarly to automatic transmissions. Manual transmission fluid lubricates gears, bearings, shafts, and internal components.
Just like automatic transmissions, heat, pressure, and debris can break down the additives in the fluid. If not addressed, metal can erode from the gears and mix with the fluid.
Fluid contamination can cause serious issues, so manual transmission service is needed to help ensure a safer operation.
Just like with automatic transmission vehicles, manual transmission service involves draining or emptying the old manual transmission fluid from the transmission and filling it with the proper manufacturer’s transmission fluid.
Not sure which type of manual transmission fluid or how much fluid to use? You can always reach out to a truck advisory team.
A truck advisory team helps drivers and operators on everything from training and retaining winning fleet teams to ensuring the right transmission fluid is used for their vehicles. Feel free to ask their opinion, as they’re happy to help.
Did you know?
Did you know that many truck repair shops also play an integral role in their community? They do more than just repair truck transmissions.
For example, we helped Hope House Ministries cover the expenses and basic truck repairs for their Mitsubishi Fuso, so they could spend less time worrying about their truck and more time donating Christmas gifts for those in need. Check out all the action here!
Need transmission work on Long Island, New York?
At the end of the day, transmission service is all about supporting three main parts of a transmission:
- Providing better lubrication
- Improving the holding ability of the friction components
- Reducing the heat in the transmission
Transmission repairs are all about ensuring your transmission works as it should and preventing catastrophic transmission failures. If you’re looking for a dependable mechanic in the Long Island, New York area who knows their way around diesel trucks, look no further.
The diesel mechanics at Pine Aire Truck have 40 years of experience working on diesel trucks, large and small. Come on over, and let’s see how we can help.
To schedule a transmission service intake, contact us today.
Detailed, Complete, and Dependable Truck Service Since 1986
