Automatic Transmissions
Published on: January 29, 2021

Published By: Go Green Auto Service Corp.

Automatic Transmissions Process

There exists two key differences between a manual and an automatic transmission. While there is a clutch pedal and a gearshift in a manual transmission, an automatic transmission has neither. Automatic transmissions are very complex systems. A transmission is basically responsible for transferring the power from the engine to the drive wheels, whether you have front- or rear-wheel drive. Transmissions allow an engine to operate at a few speeds or gears, while your vehicle can travel at a large range of speeds. An automatic transmission has many different parts including bands, a gear pump, clutches, and a hydraulic system, but everything starts with the planetary gear set. The planetary gear set creates all the different possible gear ratios your vehicle uses. The planetary gear set contains three parts: the sun gear, two or more planet gears and the planet gears’ carrier, and the ring gear. The sun gear is located in the center with each planet gear surrounding and in contact with it. Then the ring gear is surrounding and in contact with each of the planet gears. So, from inside out, it’s the sun gear, then planet gears, and then the ring gear. Each part can be one of three things: the input, output, or stationary. It is what role it has (input, output, stationary) that determines the gear sets’ gear ratio. In one of the planetary gear sets, the ring gear has 72 teeth and the sun gear has 30 teeth; so, there are thousands of possible gear ratios. To explain how different gear sets will change your vehicle’s gears and speeds, I will explain how your vehicle enters first gear, third (or above) gear, and reverse. For your vehicle to enter first gear, the ring gear will be the input, and the planet gears will be the output. The sun gear will remain stationary. What happens in first gear is the ring gear will be set in motion moving the planet gears around the stationary sun gear. In this instance, the output (planet gears) will move slower than the input (ring gear), which means that the gear ratio is a reduction. Another possible scenario includes unlocking the sun gear and locking any other two parts, meaning they are stationary. This will cause all three parts (ring gear, planet gears, and sun gear) to move at the same speed. This would mean that the input would be moving at the same speed as the output and that your vehicle is operating in third gear or higher. The last scenario involves keeping the planet gear stationary. Then, when the ring gear (input) is set in motion, it will force the sun gear (output) to move in an opposite direction, which will put your vehicle in reverse gear. Another very important part in automatic transmissions is the torque converter. The torque converter works just like the clutch in a manual transmission vehicle. Torque converters transmit the necessary power to the engine to keep it running while your vehicle is stopped. Torque converters also supply more torque to your wheels to allow your vehicle to speed up quicker after sitting still. In order to supply this power, torque converters use transmission fluid. Transmission fluid is used to lubricate, clean, and keep all of the moving parts in an automatic transmission cool. Transmission fluid is sent throughout a transmission by a complex hydraulic system. This hydraulic system is responsible for providing a constant supply of transmission fluid to the transmission and torque converter. The hydraulic system uses a pump, called the gear pump, to provide the necessary pressure to send the transmission fluid throughout the transmission. Now that we know how an automatic transmission works, Go-Green Auto Service Corp can discuss with you what occurs during an automatic transmission service. In order to keep your automatic transmission running as efficiently as possible, this necessary service is required. Transmission fluid wears down over time and must therefore be replaced. It is also important to change your transmissions’ pan gasket and filter.

In order to keep your transmission running smoothly and prevent it from failing, you need automatic transmission service. Poor transmission fluid, the hauling of heavy loads, overheating, and even a lack of maintenance and supervision are some of the many things that can cause damage to your transmission. Since automatic transmissions are so complex, Automatic transmissions are very expensive to replace because they are so complex, which gives you more incentive to make sure you always do your very best to take excellent care of it to always keep it in great condition.

Your automatic transmission should always be serviced in accordance with the recommendation in its vehicle owner’s manual. There are also several things you can watch for that help indicate whether your transmission needs servicing. Occasionally you should check underneath your vehicle for

any signs of leakage. Your transmission fluid should always be checked even when the leaking may not be related to your transmission. Another thing you should also do occasionally is to check your transmission fluid level and replace the fluid if it is too dark (transmission fluid is supposed to be red) or too low. If you experience any other problems with your transmission, such as having trouble shifting or hearing grinding noises, you should have Go-Green Auto Service Corp service your automatic transmission immediately to prevent your vehicle from being inoperable due to its transmission failing completely. Go-Green Auto Service Corp specializes in both automatic and manual transmissions, so please be sure to bring your vehicle to us to have its automatic transmission serviced and it will always perform flawlessly and last you.

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