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Transmission and Differential Services
Transmission and Differentials - Additional Information
There are many variables that affect your vehicle. Always use your manufacturers published guidelines as a starting point. It should be noted that the driving conditions in Trinidad and Tobago pushes your vehicle recommended service intervals into the "extreme" category.
Always check with your Federal Service Manager. We always reference the manufacturer's recommendations and if you are a customer of ours, your vehicle service history and your specific driving style will all be used to determine your specific Service Intervals.
General Guidelines
As a rough guideline, you can use the following for general reference:
- Option 1: Fluid Drain and replace - Every 40,000 km
- Fluids are drained and replaced with new fluids. This process replaces only about 40% of your fluid, effectively combining a mix of new and old fluid.
- Option 2: Fluid Flush and replace - Every 50,000 km
- old fluids are "flushed" and exchanged with new fluids using specialized equipment. This process is superior to the Fluid Drain because the "flushing" process replaces 100% of your fluid together with a higher degree of sludge and other contaminants.
- Both services include replacement of filter and pan gasket.
Conditions that negatively affect your Transmissions and Differential systems
- Short distance driving
- Stop and Go traffic
- Frequent of gear changes
- Step hill driving
- Dirty/sandy conditions
- Hot conditions
- Driving with vehicle under extreme load
- Going through deep water with a hot differential (warp, cracks and water leakage into the casing)
- Different Tyre Sizes and pressures. For 4 wheel drives and All Wheel drives, it is critical for all 4 tires to be the same size and pressure.
More on your Transmission
Transmission overview
Your driveline transfers power from your engine out to your drive wheels. The transmission lets you select forward or reverse. Modern transmissions are monitored by a computer that controls the gear shifts.
Five and six speed transmissions are very common, with eight, and even ten, speed transmissions available.
With all this sophistication comes complexity and replacing a failed transmission can be very expensive. Proper transmission maintenance is key to long transmission life.
Why do Transmissions fail
A main cause of transmission damage is overheating. Transmission fluid, a special type of oil, cools and lubricates the transmission as well as provides hydraulic pressure to shift gears. Small bits of the internal transmission clutches break off contaminating the transmission fluid.
Contaminated fluid circulating in the transmission eats away at important seals and gaskets, causing internal leaks. This prevents the transmission fluid from providing enough pressure to shift properly.
Small internal fluid passages can become clogged so the transmission is not lubricated properly, leading to overheating.
Signs of transmission trouble
- Gear shifts should be crisp. If your transmission does not seem to be shifting from gear to gear precisely – either too hard or the transition from gear to gear is drawn out – you should have your service center check it out.
- If you see a reddish fluid on the driveway, you could have a transmission leak.
- And if you find yourself having to top of the transmission fluid, you may have a leak that should be repaired to head off further damage.
How do I extend the life of my transmission?
Your vehicle manufacturer will have a mileage recommendation for replacing the transmission fluid. This keeps contamination down, extending the life of internal gaskets and seals.
Your owner’s manual may also have a “severe service” schedule for a shorter service interval if you do a lot of towing, haul heavy loads, drive in hot and dusty conditions or do a lot of stop and go driving.
Check with your service advisor about when you should have your next transmission service.
More on your Differential
Differential overview
Every vehicle has at least one differential. When you make a turn, the wheels on the inside of the turn have a slightly shorter distance to travel than the outside wheels. This means the outside wheels need to spin a little faster than the inside wheels through the turn.
The differential compensates for the difference in wheel speed for the drive wheels (the wheels that power the vehicle).
Where is my Differential?
If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle, the differential is on your rear axle. If you have a front wheel drive vehicle, the differential function is performed by your transaxle (combination of transmission and axle).
All-wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles have a differential both in the front and rear. They will also have a differential or transfer case somewhere in the middle to direct power between the front and rear axles.
Are there different types of Differentials?
Yes.
Some differentials are fairly simple, mechanical devices. Modern drivetrains have led to more sophisticated differentials with electronically actuated controls.
Some vehicles use their differentials to direct torque to individual wheels to enhance handling and stability.
When should my Differential be serviced ?
Your differential is cooled and protected by special fluid. The differential is a high friction area so it gets hot and bits of the differential components break off and can cause internal damage.
This fluid needs to be changed as recommended to protect the differential. If you drive under severe conditions (see your owner’s manual) like towing, off-roading or hauling heavy loads, you may need to change the fluid more frequently.
Because differentials vary so much in their design, there service intervals can vary greatly. Your service advisor can help.
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