There was a time when ATF (automatic transmission fluid) was specifically used to identify fluid for the step-automatic transmission. Today, there are three...
Other Articles
The GM 8-speeds have certainly had their share of issues through the years. The problems have gotten bad enough and familiar enough that a class action lawsuit...
Over the years, Jeep has gained a reputation for building capable and rugged off-road vehicles. The use of air suspension systems has become increasingly...
I just returned from San Antonio, and the ATRA Powertrain Expo felt different this year.
Coming back from one of those giant, overwhelming shows where you’re...
Working with transmission fluid exposes me to many types of businesses necessary to the process of base oils and additives, becoming the high-performance...
A great retired instructor, Dr. David Gilbert, who taught alongside me here at SIU, frequently said, “If you want to understand how to diagnose a system, you...
The Allison 1000 and 2000 series transmissions were introduced in 2001 for GM vehicles and 1999 for non-GM applications. The 1000/2000 series units quickly...
Power steering and the pumps that allow the hydraulically assisted power steering we have become accustomed to first appeared in 1938 on large trucks. Patented...
Sensor technology is changing rapidly. Technicians usually set up expectations about what the sensor waveform will look like when they connect their scope and...
An older engineer used to tell me, “Kid, if you stay on the ship long enough, you will see the same sights over and over again.” When I was young, I really...
Are you the type to bring your car to the dealer for factory maintenance? How about the local Quick-Lube? Or maybe your dad taught you to maintain a vehicle at...
If there is one word I hear every day as it relates to automotive lubricants, it’s “synthetic.” Twenty-five years ago, the same word elicited a totally...
It is becoming more and more difficult to diagnose issues with today’s vehicles. This issue gets even more clouded as some manufacturers attempt to limit the...
The transmission repair industry sure has a way of keeping its technicians humble. Sometimes, the fix to certain problems can seem to be so obvious until the...
In the early days, the driver controlled transfer case mode and range positions with a shift lever. Newer designs use a transfer case shift motor to change...
The scan tool interface on today’s vehicles has been around for a long time. In 1978, manufacturers started to roll out a new on-board diagnostic system...
IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION GATHERING
Diagnosing a transmission malfunction requires gathering as much relevant information as possible before removing the unit...
Before 2005, there were basically a few automatic transmission fluids that shops used to service everything. These were Dexron/ Mercon ATF and Ford Type F. A...
For decades, transmission repair was a hands-on mechanical trade. But as modern transmissions evolve—incorporating hybrid and electric drivetrains...
