Transmission Fluid Change & Fluid Flush at T.O. Haas Auto Tire & Auto
Schedule Transmission Service
You press on the gas pedal, and the engine revs, but the wheels don’t move. If that happens in your driveway, it’s an annoyance; but if it happens in traffic, you could be in danger.
Your car’s transmission needs help! T.O. Haas can help with your transmission fluid flush, fluid change, inspection, and diagnostic services.
T.O. Haas Is Your Transmission Repair Shop
A car’s transmission is a critical component of a vehicle’s overall operation and reliability. Indeed, when the transmission isn’t functioning at peak performance, it affects many other systems in your vehicle. A faulty transmission also places the driver at risk on the road.
We can add this to your regular maintenance appointments and perform the following:
- Transmission inspection: We will inspect the entire transmission system.
- Transmission diagnosis: Tell us what problems you have experienced, and we will diagnose them.
- Transmission check: We will check the transmission fluid levels and flush or fill them as needed.
- Transmission repair: If the inspection uncovers a minor issue that can be repaired, our professional mechanics can fix it. But, if a major repair is needed, we’ll recommend the best next steps.
When you select T.O. Haas as your transmission repair shop, you can expect great quality at an affordable price. For additional savings, be sure to check out our coupons page.
Warning Signs of Transmission Problems
If you experience any of the following, please make an appointment at T.O. Haas for an inspection and diagnosis of the transmission system:
- Grinding or shaking when in gear: Pay attention! These symptoms may start small but can worsen very quickly. A minor shaking sensation can turn into a definite jerking motion when shifting gear.
- The car doesn’t respond when in gear: It might be an indication of low transmission fluid, or the fluid may have degraded. Another possibility is a computer system problem. It may be a minor transmission repair but let us check it for you anyway.
- Noises: Humming, clunking, whining, or simply a new noise, especially when the car is in neutral. This might also be a low transmission fluid issue, but it’s best to get one of our professional mechanics to check it out.
- Burning smells: This is never good in a car. In a transmission context, it points to low fluid levels, which may indicate a leak. The low transmission fluid then leads to friction problems, which causes overheating.
- Slipping gears: The last thing you need is a gear to slip into either a lower or higher gear on its own while you’re driving. This represents an urgent safety issue.
- Low or leaking transmission fluid: If you see red, blue, or green fluid on the ground under your car, it may be transmission fluid. This is an advanced symptom of a transmission’s breakdown because such fluid should never leak.
- Check engine light is on: This light is an all-purpose “Warning!” indicator. If you see it, make an appointment at T.O. Haas for our transmission repair service. It might not be a transmission problem but there is no way to tell on your own.
These problems won’t disappear on their own, but the solution may be as simple as flushing the transmission fluid.
The Transmission Fluid Change Versus Flush Debate
The transmission fluid is critical to keeping your car moving. It should be flushed out periodically but how often to flush it is a contentious issue between experts. 
A transmission flush means using a suction system to remove all the old, dirty transmission fluid from the system. The internal parts of the transmission are cleaned, and new fluid is then put in.
Some mechanics say that it should be done at least every 50,000 miles. However, some car manufacturers don’t call for a transmission fluid flush until 100,000 miles or above. So, check the car owner’s manual for your specific make and model.
A transmission fluid change means that most of the fluid is changed. The fluid is drained from the system and a new transmission filter is installed. A transmission change removes a large percentage of the buildup within the system but will not completely replace the old fluid with new fluid.
The cost of the flush is higher than the fluid change, so please ask our mechanics for more details.
The Decision to Rebuild or Replace a Transmission
Although transmissions are built to last as long as the vehicle’s life cycle, they can fail if not maintained properly. The decision to rebuild or replace the transmission in your car is a difficult one. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- A transmission rebuild is a better option in many cases because you are only replacing the failed parts of the system. While our ASE-certified mechanics focus primarily on minor repairs and fluid flushes or exchanges, we will help you determine if a rebuild is the right choice for you. If so, we will recommend a mechanic who will remove the parts to clean or replace them. During that process the torque converter and solenoids will be replaced, too. The cost of the rebuild is much less than a transmission replacement.
- A transmission replacement means just that: The entire system is unhooked from all the other systems it works with, removed, and a new system is put in. A replacement can cost thousands of dollars, so weigh the value of the vehicle against the cost of the replacement. It may ultimately prove more cost-effective to buy another car.
Our service staff will be glad to provide the information you need to help you make the best decision.
Schedule your transmission service today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Your transmission is inarguably one of your vehicle’s most crucial components. This part allows your car to move by sending the power created by your engine to your tires. But like any other vehicle component, transmissions can fail—and it’s your responsibility to schedule transmission repair service as soon as that happens.
Some common signs that a transmission is on its last leg include:
- Overheating. The vast majority of transmission issues are related to overheating. Your transmission’s metal components constantly touch each other when you drive, which isn’t an issue if you have enough transmission fluid. On the other hand, low fluid levels can lead to excess friction, heat, and a blown transmission.
- Heat in your cabin. The warmth generated by an overheating transmission has to go somewhere. In vehicles with rear-wheel drive, you can feel this heat enter your passenger compartment from underneath. If your car has front-wheel drive, you’ll sense heat in the gearshift housing between your front passenger and driver seats.
- Shifting problems. Are you having trouble shifting gears? If so, there’s a good chance that your transmission is to blame. While this doesn’t necessarily mean your transmission is about to blow, it’s best to find a trustworthy transmission shop to inspect this component soon.
- Slippage. There’s a noticeable difference between driving on dry roads and traveling on roads covered with snow or ice. But when you’re dealing with slippage, your vehicle will act like it’s constantly traveling on wintery roads. This problem is caused by a transmission that can’t propel your car as it should.
- Unusual smells and noises. A light burning smell in your car could come from burnt transmission fluid—and a burning transmission. Meanwhile, unexpected whining, grinding, or clunking sounds while you shift gears could point to impending transmission failure.
Without a healthy supply of transmission fluid, your transmission simply won’t be able to do its job. Like motor oil, this fluid keeps the various moving parts in your transmission lubricated and running smoothly. Unfortunately, your transmission fluid will eventually get dirty and become far less effective than it once was.
Is your transmission fluid running low or filled with foreign contaminants? If so, you’ll need to pick between two different services—a transmission flush and a transmission fluid change. Both of these jobs involve removing old fluid and replacing it with new fluid; the main difference is how much fluid is replaced. A flush will completely replace your existing transmission fluid with new fluid, while a transmission fluid change will remove about 50 percent of your old fluid.
While a transmission flush is more thorough than a fluid change, either service can help keep your transmission lubricated. If you’re unsure which service best fits your needs, ask the team at T.O. Haas Tire & Auto for advice!
As a diligent Nebraska driver, you know keeping up on oil changes is essential. The same principle applies to transmission flushes and fluid changes. Your ideal frequency for transmission fluid services depends on which service you choose to prioritize.
Generally speaking, it’s best to get transmission flushes taken care of every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. But if you aren’t opting for full transmission flushes, you’ll need transmission fluid changes every 3,000 miles or so.
This advice can help you start putting together your transmission service schedule, but it’s not all you need to consider. Before scheduling transmission fluid flushes or changes at a local transmission shop, be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
You should never ignore a transmission leak, even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal at the moment. Just like any other car problem, transmission leaks won’t suddenly resolve themselves. Instead, turning a blind eye to a leaky transmission will only allow it to get worse. Since you’ll have to fix this issue eventually, it’s wise to take care of it right away—and potentially avoid a much more expensive repair down the line.
It’s also important to note that transmission leaks can negatively impact your transmission’s performance. Leaving your “unimportant” leak unchecked long enough could lead to all kinds of issues. These problems could range from extra wear and tear on your transmission to complete transmission failure.
At T.O. Haas, our ASE-certified mechanics are qualified to handle leak repair and other services your transmission needs to work properly. If you notice a brightly colored puddle under your vehicle, don’t hesitate to inform us about your transmission leak. We’ll resolve this issue in no time and at a reasonable rate. Plus, you can save even more money by using our online coupons!
Even if you understand why you need to get transmission fluid changes, it can be hard to believe this process will have any noticeable effect on your vehicle’s performance. However, a slipping transmission can directly impact your car’s mileage, and this issue is often related to low levels of transmission fluid. Stopping by a transmission shop for a refill will help your vehicle use fuel more efficiently, saving you a surprising amount of cash as a result.
But the benefits of transmission fluid service don’t stop there. Getting regular flushes or fluid changes for your vehicle will help you enjoy smoother gear shifts. Dirty transmission fluid can easily cause clogs, making it hard to shift gears as efficiently as you’d expect. Fresh fluid will eliminate that issue by fully lubricating your transmission’s gears.
Better yet, improving your fuel economy isn’t the only way transmission fluid changes can help you save money. If you keep using dirty transmission fluid, your transmission won’t be able to function correctly, and it could develop serious problems later on. By following your manufacturer’s recommendations for transmission fluid replacement, you’ll significantly reduce your risk of having to pay for substantial transmission repairs!
Your transmission is a precision-engineered machine, but that doesn’t mean it will work perfectly 100 percent of the time. In fact, your transmission’s complexity means all sorts of things can go wrong with this component. When that happens, finding a qualified Nebraska transmission shop is a must.
With T.O. Haas’ ASE-certified mechanics, convenient locations, and unmatched reputation, you can’t go wrong by choosing us to get your transmission back in shape. We can help you deal with common transmission issues like:
- Transmission slipping. If you’re having trouble shifting gears, your transmission is almost certainly at fault. Depending on your situation, you may need a fluid flush/change or a repair to set things right.
- A “shaky” transmission. Does your car have an automatic transmission? If so, your transmission might shudder or shake while you’re driving at high speeds. Grinding sounds are the rough equivalent to this issue in vehicles with manual transmissions, so let us know if you’re dealing with either one of these problems.
- Leaks in the transmission. Your transmission needs an ample amount of clean transmission fluid to operate correctly. When you spot a transmission fluid leak under your car, take care of the situation ASAP.
- Delayed gear shifts. When your transmission is in full working order, you won’t need to wait to shift from one gear to the next. Delays in the gear-shifting process could be caused by anything from dirty transmission fluid to a clogged filter.
To fix all these problems and more, set up an appointment at T.O. Haas today!
