Manual Transmission Problems and Repairs

A manual transmission can be typically found in cars that have the stick shift. Stick shifts are distinguished in the form of an H that is below the stick. Instead of automatically switching between gears it is a manual transition as you move the stick in the H and push your clutch towards the right of the gas pedal when you go.

It takes practice and can be more challenging than operating an automatic. Many who opt for manual transmissions opt for this because of the higher miles per gallon ratio or the desire to gain greater control over their vehicle. The best thing with manually operated transmissions is that manual transmission repair isn't expensive when contrasted with auto transmissions.

If you're not a car expert, you shouldn't fix it yourself. Nonetheless, you should know some common problems and repairs for manual transmissions so you can assess whether or not your mechanic is giving you a fair price. An important issue to remember that is the same whether your transmission is manual or automatic is that the transmission fluid must be replaced periodically.

A burning smell always means trouble. The transmission fluid should be just under, but not past, the full line. It should be pink, and never brown. If your car is making a rattling noise when you travel at low speeds, it might mean that your car's construction allows for more transaxle movements at some gears than others. If that's the case, you may need to switch to synthetic gear oil. This may be part of your car, rather than a repair issue.

Whatever the problem is, it's wise to take your car, truck, or SUV in and have a transmission specialist look at it. Some companies will even give you a no-cost external diagnosis of your transmission plus an estimate for repairs.