Bruce's Tire provides Transmission Repair services to Oakland, CA, Fremont, CA, San Jose, CA, and other surrounding areas.

Top-Quality Transmission Service & Repair

A properly working transmission is a critical part of your vehicle’s ability to operate smoothly. If there is a problem within this system, the vehicle will not be able to go anywhere.

If the gear shifts in your vehicle feel off or you’ve started hearing strange sounds coming from the engine when it is shifting, you may need transmission service. Whether you have an automatic, manual, or even semi-automatic transmission, our team here at Bruce's Tire & Auto Service can help. Our ASE-Certified technicians are experts in professional transmission repair and maintenance.

When your vehicle needs it, we are ready and able to perform a transmission fluid change or full transmission flush. And if your vehicle has a more in-depth transmission problem, we can properly handle any transmission service you may need, even if that means a full transmission replacement.

The Local Pros You Can Rely on When You Need a Transmission Shop

As far as vehicle systems go, today’s transmissions are extremely sensitive and complicated. That's why you should leave transmission service to a trusted and experienced professional. When you are searching for a transmission shop you can rely on, look no further than Bruce's Tire & Auto Service. Our expert technicians use professional, state-of-the-art equipment and tools to accurately diagnose any transmission issues, perform a transmission fluid change or flush, and properly handle any necessary transmission repair needs. We can help keep your transmission system running optimally.

At Bruce's Tire & Auto Service, we offer a wide range of top-quality transmission services and repairs, including:

• In-depth transmission system inspections
• Transmission fluid checks
• Transmission fluid changes
• Full transmission flushes
• Clutch adjustments and repairs

How a Transmission System Works

The transmission is the direct link between the engine and the wheels of your vehicle. Whether you drive a manual, automatic, or semi-automatic vehicle, the transmission system plays a crucial role in the performance and reliability of your vehicle. Essentially, this system converts an engine’s mechanical power into torque, which is then transferred to the wheels to move the vehicle. The transmission keeps engine output matched with speed and load conditions.

Because vehicle engines operate at high rotational speeds, the transmission reduces excess engine output speed and transmits the torque to the differential, driveshaft, and wheels. As engine speed varies, the transmission switches between gears, influencing the amount of torque applied to the wheels.

The transmission fluid running through the system performs a variety of duties, depending on the type of transmission. The fluid acts as a cooling agent and absorbs excess heat generated from mechanical movement. It also protects the transmission by lubricating the internal gears and preventing corrosion and rust. In a manual transmission, the clutches and gear shifts provide the necessary pressure and force—like engagement and disengagement. In an automatic transmission, the transmission fluid is what provides these same operational functions of force and pressure.

As you can see, the transmission is critical to the movement of your vehicle. That's why it is so important to ensure that the system is properly maintained to allow for optimal operation and prevent the need for more in-depth transmission repairs down the road.

Protect Your System by Maintaining the Transmission Fluid

In most cases, people don’t think much about their transmission system until it’s not working as expected. But it is important to include this system in your vehicle’s preventive maintenance routine.

Due to normal use, the transmission fluid picks up deposits, dirt, and other debris. Running your vehicle’s transmission on extremely dirty or low fluid can cause shifting problems and even cause the system to completely seize up, leading to the need for a very costly total replacement of your transmission.

Having transmission service done at the suggested intervals for your vehicle will help prevent further problems down the road. We recommend having a transmission fluid change done every 30,000 miles or at the interval recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

A transmission fluid service helps keep the sensitive components of your transmission system properly lubricated, preventing excess friction and maximizing the system’s performance and lifespan.

Concerning the transmission fluid, there are two types of service: transmission fluid change (aka transmission pan service) and full transmission flush.

What Is a Transmission Fluid Change Versus a Transmission Flush?

For a transmission fluid change, the transmission pan is manually drained, inspected, and thoroughly cleaned. A new transmission filter is then put in and new, clean transmission fluid is added. This leaves a mix of old and new fluid. So, with this service, only about 30% of the transmission fluid is changed in your transmission, but it does allow access to change the fluid filter and gasket.

Alternatively, a full transmission flush is done through the cooler lines and removes essentially all of the old, dirty fluid and replaces it with fresh, new transmission fluid. Because of the pressure used during this process, it also purges any built-up particles and deposits. This service usually does not include replacing the transmission fluid filter.

These two services (change and flush) can be done either separately or in conjunction with each other, but they are two entirely separate transmission services.

Today, there are many different types of transmission fluids available. Here at Bruce's Tire & Auto Service, we use high-quality synthetic transmission fluid that meets or exceeds manufacturer specifications. For vehicles that require a different type of transmission fluid, we use Original Equipment-type fluids.

Signs That You May Need Transmission Service

A faulty transmission can negatively affect your vehicle’s performance. To help prevent small transmission issues from becoming big problems, it's helpful to be aware of some red flags to look out for. Symptoms of an impending need for transmission service include:

• The check engine light is illuminated: This light can be an indication of a variety of different issues, but it often means a transmission issue.
• Gears are grinding or the vehicle is slipping out of gear: During optimal operation, the transmission system will properly shift between gears. If this system is failing, you may feel grinding when shifting. It may even unintentionally shift into neutral, which prevents the ability to properly control the vehicle’s acceleration or deceleration.
• Shifting is difficult: A clear sign of a transmission problem is if it is physically hard to move the manual shifter between gears or if the shifter won’t go into gear at all.
• The vehicle is bucking: If the vehicle bucks or jerks forward when shifting gears, there could be a problem between gear shifts, a transmission fluid issue, or the engine may not be spinning as fast as the transmission is.
• The vehicle hesitates after shifting: Sometimes if the transmission has an issue, you’ll feel the vehicle hesitate before moving forward when shifting from park into first gear. This can also happen when shifting from park into reverse or when shifting past first gear.
• There is strange and excessive noise: Even if your transmission is in neutral, excessive noise is a sign of transmission problems. You may hear grinding, knocking, or other loud and unusual sounds coming from the engine. This may also happen when accelerating.
• The clutch is having issues: Specifically in a manual transmission, a dragging clutch, or a clutch failing to disengage from the flywheel, is another sign of transmission issues. When this occurs, the clutch continues to spin with your vehicle’s engine, and a grinding noise occurs.

• There are strong/strange smells: A burning smell sifting through the air vents is a sign of burning transmission fluid and an overheating transmission. When this happens, it means that the fluid is so dirty/used that it can no longer properly lubricate the system’s components or absorb excess heat.

• Leaking transmission fluid: Transmission fluid should never be actively leaking from the engine. A transmission fluid leak will usually appear as red puddles under the center of the car.

If you experience any of the above warning signs of transmission trouble, contact us today about transmission maintenance and repair service. Our ASE-certified technicians can pinpoint what exactly the issue may be in your transmission system and perform the necessary service with expert quality.

How to Help Extend the Life of Your Transmission System

There are several things you can do to prevent unnecessary stress on your transmission. The main takeaway is to be mindful of how you are using the system. Things that can negatively impact the life of your transmission include extreme driving habits, carrying excessive loads, or frequently towing heavy loads.

The other thing to keep in mind is the quality of your transmission fluid. Because of the necessary pressure and force provided by transmission fluid in automatic transmissions, old, dirty, and unchanged transmission fluid can cause performance issues.

As mentioned above, regular transmission maintenance as indicated by your vehicle’s manufacturer can significantly help prevent transmission problems. A transmission fluid service helps keep transmission components properly protected and maximizes the life of the system. The last thing you want is to have to replace a fried transmission due to neglect or misuse.

Whether you need a transmission fluid change or a full transmission flush, the team here at Bruce's Tire & Auto Service has got you covered.

Bruce's Tire proudly serves the transmission repair needs of customers in Oakland, CA; Fremont, CA; San Jose, CA; and surrounding areas.

Schedule Your Transmission Service Today!

The expert ASE-certified technicians at each of the conveniently located Bruce's Tire & Auto Service shops have the knowledge, expertise, and state-of-the-art tools and equipment to meet all of your vehicle’s transmission service needs.

If you are looking for a top-quality transmission shop with unmatched customer service, schedule your appointment today!