Sooner or later your automatic transmission will fail; just like any other mechanical device. They can simply wear out or… they can suffer other problems like hard internal seals. An automatic transmission operates by applying friction components like clutches and bands that operate a series of gear sets. These clutches and bands are applied by hydraulic pistons. These pistons have rubber seal on them to contain the oil pressure.

Over time, these seals may become hard and brittle. In this condition they’re unable to contain the hydraulic pressure so the clutches and bands develop delayed engagements or may not apply at all. Generally, this condition is worse when the transmission is cold. After the transmission warms up the seals will soften enough to operate properly.

This condition requires replacement of the seals in order to fix it properly. This is part of the rebuilding process. However, there are products on the market designed to soften these seals. You can find several brands of “transmission fix” at your local parts store.

Beware though, while these products do restore the sealing properties of the seals they will, over time, soften the seals to the point that they fail. The fix, if you want to call it that, is a short-term remedy and within a few months you can expect the transmission to fail completely.

Here’s the danger: If you’re in the market for a used car you may unknowingly find one that’s had an additive used to fix leaks or shifting problems. Detecting these additives is pretty simple; they have a distinct “sweat” smell to them. If you’ve ever smelled automatic transmission fluid you will definitely recognize the difference with an additive. Just remove the dipstick and take a whiff. If you’re unfamiliar to the odor of transmission fluid or feel uncertain about it then take the car to your local ATRA member; they’ll be happy to check it for you.

Finally, not all transmission fluid additives cause these kinds of problems. Some are actually beneficial to the operation of your automatic transmission. Here again, you can talk to your local ATRA member for more information regarding transmission fluid additives.

There is a “huge” problem with the five-speed automatic in the aforementioned Pathfinders, Frontiers and Xterras, wrote Lance Wiggins, the technical director of the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, in an e-mail.

As consumers face rising prices at the gas pumps, more and more people are looking into buying a car equipped with a manual transmission instead of an automatic. But that change may not provide the desired effect for most drivers.

That’s because today’s automatics are lighter and more efficient than those of just a few years ago. So much so that only a highly motivated driver will have any hope of wringing substantially higher gas mileage out of a manual transmission.

What’s more, the back-end costs of a manual will quickly eat away at any savings you might receive at the pump. Most drivers can expect to have the clutch replaced as often as every 30,000 miles or so. And when it comes time to sell or trade the car, they can expect a dramatic drop in value with a manual transmission.

For most people, an automatic transmission is a far better choice when buying a new car. They’re more efficient, easier to drive, and last longer than those of just a few years ago.

Automatic transmission repairs are expensive; some can easily cost $2000 or more. So it’s more important than ever to find a shop that will provide quality repairs at a fair price. Here are a few ways you can avoid getting cheated when searching for a transmission repair shop:

1. Get Recommendations — Ask friends and family to recommend a shop where they were treated well and were happy with their work.

2. Look for a Professional Appearance — A clean, organized shop indicates a professional attitude. And that usually carries over into all phases of the business… including their repairs and job pricing.

3. Avoid Phone Estimates — Today it’s virtually impossible to give an accurate estimate over the phone. Any shop that will give you a price before they see the car is probably low-balling you. Expect the price to go up considerably before the job is finished.

4. Ask for a Detailed, Written Estimate — After checking your car thoroughly, the repair center should have a fairly good idea of what’s wrong with your car. They should be able to provide a written estimate that specifies what’s wrong, and what it’ll cost to repair it.

5. Look for Membership in Consumer Organizations — Most reputable shops are members of an organization or association that provides consumer arbitration in the event of a dispute, such as the Better Business Bureau or AAA. ATRA provides this service to its members.

Find a ATRA shop by clicking this link.