Kia Transmission Service in Rochester

The frequency of standard transmission maintenance varies based on transmission type. The general public uses four common forms of transmission on American roads today: manual, automatic, auto-manual, and continuously variable. Manual transmissions should receive maintenance every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on their format, but those that perform heavy-duty jobs regularly should be serviced every 15,000 miles.

Automatic transmissions should receive maintenance every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or every 30,000 miles under conditions of heavy use. Auto-manual transmissions can alternate between automatic and manual modes and usually follow the service schedule of the mode they're in the most. This is usually the automatic mode. Continuously variable transmissions should receive maintenance every 30,000 miles or every 15,000 miles if they see heavy use.

Transmission Maintenance Steps

Automatic and manual transmissions require slightly different forms of service. Auto manual and continuously variable ones count as automatic transmissions for the purpose of this section.

Automatic Transmission Maintenance Steps

Automatic transmission maintenance starts with a fluid change. The transmission pan is removed, then our service specialist removes the filter, drains the fluid, and replaces the filter. The old gasket material is then removed, followed by the installation of new gasket material. The pan is replaced, then the transmission is filled with new fluid. The fluid in automatic transmissions, including standard, auto-manual, and continuously variable variants, is pressurized. Our service pros inspect the transmission repeatedly throughout this process in order to detect leaks and other defects or damage.

Manual Transmission Maintenance Steps

Manual transmission maintenance begins with the draining of the old transmission fluid. Manual transmissions aren't pressurized, so they don't use filters as automatic, auto-manual, and continuously variable transmissions do. Some manuals come with sumps or pans. You'll see these removed at this step, then the screen or filter is removed and cleaned or replaced. The transmission pan is cleaned as needed at this point, and then it's replaced with new gasket material. Transmissions with sumps have them replaced at the final step.

Transmission Repair Service

Sometimes our service pros may find that your transmission is leaking, defective, or otherwise damaged. Repairing these and avoiding a more expensive rebuild or replacement service operation is sometimes possible. Soft part replacement and sealing leaks are the two most common forms of basic transmission repair, though some transmissions allow for single-gear replacements without a complete rebuild. Most of the time, the gear that can be replaced on its own and without a rebuild is the overdrive gear. Soft parts include clutches, wiring, bands, seals, and gasket material.

Transmission Rebuild Service

This is an extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive service operation. It's sometimes more affordable to replace a transmission than it is to rebuild it. That said, rebuilding may be the only option for transmissions of classic vehicles and models of considerable age due to a cessation of part or transmission production. Rebuilds tend to include soft and hard part replacements, including everything listed in the repair service section above and multiple, if not all, gears.

Transmission Replacement

Our experienced service professionals know how to replace every form of transmission our vehicles use. Replacement steps are pretty complex and vary by the transmission type and vehicle model year, so transmission replacement should be left to the professionals. Improper installation could result in irreversible damage to a part that costs between $1,800 and $3,400.

Signs a Transmission Needs Repair, Rebuilding, or Replacement

There are many signs that'll show themselves as a transmission begins to break down. It may be tempting to ignore them at first, but the sooner the transmission in question is serviced, the less expensive that repair is likely to be. Waiting too long can take your transmission from needing simple maintenance to needing repair, requiring rebuilding, and finally, forcing a total replacement. The longer the transmission runs without the necessary care, the more likely catastrophic transmission failure becomes.

One of the most obvious signs of transmission issues involves gear-switching problems. This may involve a hesitation in shifting, a grinding and difficult shift, or a jerking shift. The second sign is that of a dragging clutch. This sign appears only on transmissions with clutch pedals, of course. Vehicle transmissions sometimes fail in ways that cause cables, fluid, or other components to burn.

If you detect a burning smell, you should have your vehicle towed in for service as soon as possible. Cars are never safe to drive under burning smell conditions. Transmissions that make strange sounds when shifting or in neutral should also be serviced as soon as possible.

Have Your Transmission Serviced at Tom Kadlec Kia

The experienced and attentive professional service team at Tom Kadlec Kia of Rochester, Minnesota, is entirely at your service when the time comes for transmission maintenance, repairs, rebuilding, or replacement. Our people have the tools, parts, and know-how to get the job done right every time and in a timely manner. It's quick and easy to schedule transmission service here using our online tools.

Scheduling service online requires the following information: vehicle year, make, model, trim level, vehicle identification number, and mileage number. Our service and parts centers are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We like to give our specialists weekends off, so both are always closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tom Kadlec Kia has always been proud to serve the Rochester area for many years, and we'd be honored to help you throughout the running life span of your car, truck, or SUV. Feel free to contact us for further information about our comprehensive transmission repair service. Keep an eye out for our service specials, as they sometimes include deals on transmission work.