How to Maintain Your Volvo’s Automatic Transmission in Pineville

When driving a Volvo, or any vehicle for that matter, it is important to make sure that you are doing your best to give it proper care and maintenance. By taking good care of your car, it will have fewer problems, and if it does you will be able to catch them early enough so that you can avoid further damage. It is always recommended that you follow what your vehicle’s user manual suggests for recommended checkups on your car. It is also recommended that you go to a trusted mechanic for services; one that is also familiar with working on your type of vehicle.

What is an automatic transmission?

Many people know if they have an automatic or manual transmission in their vehicle, but a surprising number of people will not be able to tell you how an automatic transmission works. You do not need to know all of the ins and outs of your car, but learning how certain components work can help you take better care of your car.

If you have automatic transmission in your vehicle, your car does not have a clutch pedal. With an automatic transmission, your car is able to switch the gears for you automatically. If you only had one gear to drive in, your car would either be overpowered or underpowered. An automatic transmission is equipped with a planetary gearset, which is what allows the same gears to produce the different ratios needed on demand but without the need for you to know how or when to shift.

What if my automatic is not working properly?

When you start noticing any issues with your transmission, it is important that you get it fixed immediately. If you wait too long, you could cause the problem to get worse, and then the repairs could get rather costly. You may even need your entire engine replaced. In order to avoid getting to that point, you need to pay attention to signs that might indicate that your transmission is having issues.

For example, one issue you may begin to notice is that you are having a tough time switching gears. Yes, even in an automatic vehicle, you can tell if the car is not shifting properly. The transmission is what allows the gears to shift, so if it has any problems it may cause issues with shifting properly. The best-case scenario is that your check engine light will illuminate when your car starts to have any transmission issues. You will then need to take your car in to a shop where you can get the error code read in order to know what the issue is. Still, do not just wait for the check engine light to turn on to indicate a problem. Keep an eye out for other signs of malfunctions.

Another sign of any transmission problem is when you start to smell something burning or you see leaks from the transmission. If your car is leaking transmission fluid, there will be a puddle underneath the car. If you smell something burning, it could be because your transmission is overheating. In either case, you should take your vehicle to a professional mechanic right away to get inspected.

You may also begin to notice some noises coming from the transmission. If you hear any grinding or clunking sounds or any other sounds that seem concerning, you will want to have your transmission looked at. This could be an indicator that your transmission is starting to fail.

How We Can Help

Transmission problems in your Volvo are one of the more serious issues an owner can face. Transmission failure can lead to incredibly expensive repairs that require replacing the entire engine. It is important that at the first signs of any transmission problems, you take your Volvo in for immediate inspection. This could make a huge difference in the amount of time it takes to repair your car and how much money it costs you.

Here at A&M Auto Service, we are committed to providing our customers with reliable and thorough consultations and repairs to ensure that your car has a long and happy life. Convenient to the residents of Pineville, Charlotte, and Greensboro, NC, we would be more than happy to inspect your car for any transmission issues and will work with you in order to find the best course of action for repairs.