 | Mike Sparkman is the owner/operator of Mastertech Transmission. He runs the company with the help of his wife Cheryl and their certified staff of experts. Their goal is to help people with the car problems, do it honestly, with quality, at a fair price. Mike and his team of experts have over 60 years combined experience in the transmission industry. They hold ATRA certification, and Mastertech is listed as a AAA approved service facility. You can contact Mike @ (316) 269-9590. |
Automotive Service & Repair
2010-08-01 13:01:00
Ask Mr. Transmission
: How can I make my transmission last longer?
Answer: Just like the dentist tells you, “Don’t ignore them.” Check the fluid level and condition periodically, repair any leaks/problems promptly, service the unit on a regular basis, and add an auxiliary cooler if the vehicle is used for towing, commercial, or high ambient temperature climates. Some units should have a shift kit installed. Synthetic fluid may benefit some applications by lowering operating temperature resulting in a longer life, but not all transmissions can use the synthetic fluid. Check with your local shop for their advice to your specific application and needs.
Question: Recently when I was in for a fluid change, the mechanic mentioned a “shift kit.” He tried to explain what it does but I didn’t understand it. What is “shift kit?”
Answer: A “shift kit” is an aftermarket service pack that has been researched and developed to compensate for design deficiencies discovered in a particular transmission. In most cases, the kit improves the quality of shifts, increases the internal pressure that operates the unit, and provides better lubrication. Note…not all transmissions need the kit.
Mike Sparkm
Answer: The is no accurate answer to that question. The mileage or time of use before major problems occur will vary greatly, and therefore, I don’t see a correlation between mileage and expected transmission failure. It is not unusual that the first few years after a newly designed transmission hits the road, that early failures occur. But, in later years with updates to the original design, the units become more reliable. The three major factors in the life expectancy are periodic maintenance, maintaining proper fluid level and driving habits.
Question: How can I make my transmission last longer?
Answer: Just like the dentist tells you, “Don’t ignore them.” Check the fluid level and condition periodically, repair any leaks/problems promptly, service the unit on a regular basis, and add an auxiliary cooler if the vehicle is used for towing, commercial, or high ambient temperature climates. Some units should have a shift kit installed. Synthetic fluid may benefit some applications by lowering operating temperature resulting in a longer life, but not all transmissions can use the synthetic fluid. Check with your local shop for their advice to your specific application and needs.
Question: Recently when I was in for a fluid change, the mechanic mentioned a “shift kit.” He tried to explain what it does but I didn’t understand it. What is “shift kit?”
Answer: A “shift kit” is an aftermarket service pack that has been researched and developed to compensate for design deficiencies discovered in a particular transmission. In most cases, the kit improves the quality of shifts, increases the internal pressure that operates the unit, and provides better lubrication. Note…not all transmissions need the kit.
Mike Sparkman is the owner/ operator of Mastertech Transmission. He runs the company with the help of his wife Cheryl and their certified staff of experts. Their goal is to help people with their car problems, do it honestly, with quality and at a fair price. Mike and his team of experts have over 60 years combined experience in the transmission industry. They hold ATRA certification and Mastertech is listed as a AAA approved service facility. You can contact Mike @ (316) 269-9590.
