Transmission Repair and Service in San Diego

Your car’s transmission is its most complicated, and least understood, major component. In later model cars, it is a combination of sophisticated hydraulics and computer-controlled components. You can count on Pacific Automotive for all of your transmission repair and service needs in San Diego. We can handle virtually any service need, including repairs and flushes, automatic transmissions, manual transmissions and clutches. For repairs over $200, we will even hook you up with a free rental car so you can continue about your day. Our goal is to extend the life of your vehicle and keep you on the road while saving you time and money.

Telltale Signs of a Transmission Problem

If your car’s gear changes feel anything other than smooth and quiet, it’s time for an inspection. Catching issues early can be the difference between a minor fix and a major rebuild.

Early Warning Signs

A “Check Engine” light is on.
You notice a reddish fluid leak under the car.
There’s a delay when shifting into Drive or Park.
The car hesitates or lacks response when you accelerate.
Stalling at stop lights.

Major Symptoms to Address Immediately

Slipping, jumping, or hard/rough shifts between gears.
Thumping, grinding, or shaking during gear changes.
Unusual sounds like whining, clunking, or buzzing, especially any new noise while in neutral.
The engine RPMs are higher than usual for your speed.
A burning smell, which often indicates overheating.
The vehicle gets stuck in one gear or won’t move at all.

Can proper maintenance make your transmission last longer?

While the factory who built it, and fate, play a role in transmission longevity, when it fails, there is always a cause-and-effect relationship which is usually dependent upon a few factors.

Fluid is one of the key factors in transmission failure. Modern transmissions are engineered for very specific functions and built to close tolerances. Regular automatic transmission services can mean less wear on parts, degradation of clutch material, and even less failure.

Fluid also plays a critical role in heat and pressure. The hotter a transmission runs, the shorter its lifespan. If your fluid gets old or hot, the pressures within the fluid can decrease or increase beyond engineered tolerances. When this happens components begin to fail, and soon you will be left with a repair bill.

The best way to keep a transmission alive is proper maintenance.

Recommended Maintenance for Transmissions

The best way to keep a transmission alive is proper maintenance. Following your factory schedule typically means a transmission fluid and filter change every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on your vehicle. However, if you spend more than half your drive time in heavy city traffic, most experts recommend this service more frequently, often every 15,000-30,000 miles.

Most manufacturer’s transmissions use an aluminum valve body. This soft metal is less tolerant of dirt and abrasives and require more frequent fluid changes to prolong their life.

Changing transmission fluid is not as simple as changing engine oil and should be handled only by a service technician with a thorough understanding of transmissions. Cars with automatic transmissions will usually be lifted on a hoist, the pan dropped, and the old fluid poured out. The fluid and pan are inspected for contaminants and any other indication of a larger issue. Then, the filter is changed, the pan is replaced, and the fluid is added to the proper level.

Manual transmissions are simpler and are usually outfitted with drain and fill plugs. The car is lifted, the oil drained, and then refilled with the proper grade specified by the manufacturer.

Periodic fluid changes are ideal. And checking the fluid level and condition on a regular basis is also very important. We have a special dipstick and can electronically scan the transmission temperature to determine its proper level. While maintenance is key to auto part longevity, being aware of any bangs, whines or groans from the transmission, as well as smells, will help head off any problems.

What’s the Difference: Transmission Repair vs. Rebuild?

When you have a transmission issue, the solution can range from a simple fix to a complete rebuild. Our master mechanics will diagnose the problem and recommend the most cost-effective solution.

Transmission Repair: This service targets one or two specific failed components. If a sensor, solenoid, or seal is the root cause and the rest of your transmission is healthy, a targeted repair is your most economical option.
Transmission Rebuild: This is a comprehensive process for when the transmission has widespread wear. We completely dismantle the unit, inspect every part, and replace all worn or damaged components (like seals, gaskets, bands, and clutches) with new, high-quality parts. This restores your transmission to like-new condition, and we handle it all in-house.

This is also a more cost-effective option than a ‘remanufactured’ transmission, which you might get from a dealership. A remanufactured unit is simply a transmission rebuilt at a factory. By rebuilding it in-house, we control the quality and can often use upgraded parts to make it better than the original.

Will You Need to Replace?

Not all failures require a completely new transmission. Sometimes the problem can be caused by a low-cost external sensor. Call Pacific Automotive and we can inspect your vehicle with the latest diagnostic equipment and software available and give you a complete report as well repair needs and costs.