Q. When did automatic transmission come in use?
A.  After WWII. Initially they were two speed automatics. At the end of the twentieth century we saw five speed automatic transmissions that are completely controlled by computers.

Q. Most of the cars made today are front wheel drive vehicles. Is the transmission in a front wheel drive car very different?
A.   All automatic transmissions operate on the science of hydraulics, so the basic operation is similar. Rear wheel drive vehicles are powered by the rear wheels and front wheel drive cars by the front wheels. Thus there is a “rear end” in a rear wheel drive vehicle while the “differential assembly” is built located in the transmission housing in a front wheel drive vehicle. 

Q. Are there different automatic transmissions?
A. Yes, each automobile manufacturer uses automatic transmissions designed for their fleet of vehicles. There are rear wheel drive and front wheel drive transmissions.

Q. About how many different transmissions are there?
A. There are over two hundred different automatic transmissions on the road today. And this does not include the design changes that have been made in the transmissions.

Q. I have heard there are many parts that make a transmission work, is it true?
A. Yes. There are over seven hundred parts inside the transmission case. All these parts are interconnected, interdependent and interrelated to each other. The automatic transmission is the most complex component in the car.

Q. How does an automatic transmission shift?
A. Basically transmission needs two inputs to shift; road speed of the vehicle and the state of the engine. In hydraulic transmission these signals were received through the governor and either a vacuum modulator or a throttle valve cable.

Q. What does it mean when I am told a computer controls the transmission?
A. The electronic transmission controller constantly monitors the state of the engine and through solenoids tells the transmission when it is time to shift. Some computers have the ability to modify the hydraulic pressure during the shift process thus softening the shift.

Q.  I have a front wheel drive vehicle and it does not move. Is my transmission shot?
A. Maybe not. When you start the motor and put the transmission in drive range and give gas, the vehicle does not move but if the speedometer moves then the constant velocity joint is bad. First get that repaired or replaced, then have the transmission checked out.

Q.  My check engine light is on and the transmission does not shift. Do I have a serious transmission problem?
A. Maybe not. The check engine light informs you that the computer has detected a malfunction/glitch and has stored it in its memory as a DTC (diagnostic trouble code). A scanner can retrieve the DTC easily. There are several DTC’s that will prevent a transmission from shifting, placing them in a fail-safe mode. Replacing the solenoid/sensor may solve the problem.

Q.  My transmission is slipping a lot, fluid is burnt, how much will it cost to rebuild the transmission?
A.  Automatic transmission rebuilding involves dismantling the transmission and replacing all the worn and damaged parts. This is done by using a overhaul kit and replacing all the worn parts not included the kit. Each transmission is different. Unless we know exactly what parts are needed, an exact cost of repair cannot be given.

Q. How do   I know that my transmission needs to be rebuilt?
A. A professional transmission repair facility will check the vehicle, find the exact symptoms, check the electronics and then determine the exact cause of the problems. This check shall establish the exact system and then see what is needed to evaluate that condition.