Jim Dowell Transmission

While shopping for cars, many shoppers enter the lot fully aware of the features they are looking for. You know the ones we’re talking about: built-in entertainment, automatic locks and windows, heated and/or leather seats, extra storage, etc. Unfortunately, however, many buyers are under-educated on the topic of transmission types, and what different types will mean in regards to how your car drives.

If you’re about to start shopping, allow us to quickly educate you so you have a better idea of what you will be driving off the lot with.

Automatic Transmission

Both automatic transmission and continuously variable transmissions use on-board sensors to technically automate a vehicle’s transmission, and neither require a clutch pedal, however an automatic transmission has a set number of gear ratios as opposed to CVT having an infinite number. With an automatic transmission – and similar to a manual transmission – you will often hear and feel as the transmission if shifting from one gear to the next.

Continuously Variable Transmission

Unlike the standard, gear type transmission, CVT provides a much smoother ride, While you will feel the gear change as you initially accelerate, as you continue going faster the gear change will be practically unrecognizable.

Why?

CVT uses two, variable-width pulleys with a belt between. The pulleys work with and opposite of one another, meaning that as one pulley opens the other closes.

While the ride in a car with CVT is smoother, unfortunately increased transmission issues may be an issue.The pulley system is less durable than a gear type transmission, and may require increased care and maintenance as your car ages. In addition, the complexity of a CVT may prevent it from putting out as much torque as a traditional automatic transmission. On the flip side, vehicles with CVT are generally more fuel efficient.

Have a Question About Servicing Your Transmission?

At Jim Dowell Transmission, our technicians are educated and experienced in servicing both gear type and continuously variable transmissions. We understand that timely service is a priority, but we also patiently and explicitly walk you through the service process so you understand what you are getting and why. The next time you need transmission service in Sarasota, Bradenton and the surrounding areas, we invite you to, we invite you to contact us for a free estimate.

Driving to work, you take the on-ramp onto the highway, push down on the gas petal, and hmmmmm…. Your sweet car doesn’t seem to want to respond as it used to. You push a little harder, and while the car does accelerate, the oomph just isn’t there. What to do now?

Unfortunately, many car owners look for the quick fix. They get their gas lines cleaned, schedule an oil change, or stop by their local auto parts store and scour the shelves for a solution. And that’s where they see it. A can full of transmission magic claiming to bring life back to your car.

But does it really work?

Unfortunately, no. The solution isn’t any better than applying Super-super glue to a bumper which has fallen off rather than welding it back on.

While not every product in these aisles are a scam, it’s important to know what you’re getting before purchasing and subjecting your vehicle to one of these products. While some products may indeed help your ride handle driving in extreme conditions, we would have to advise against purchasing any product which claims to provide a new transmission in a can.

Think about it this way: Would you believe somebody who tried to sell you a beverage which would take 20 years off your appearance? Probably not. So why would you trust something similar for your car?

Rather than spending money on a transmission additive and potentially causing further problems, we recommend making an appointment at your local transmission center for a check-up. At Jim Dowell Transmission, we often find the issue is nothing serious and doesn’t require a transmission rebuild. Unfortunately, using additives could camouflage serious issues, and by the time you do get the issue checked out it could require a rebuild.

Are you willing to risk that greater expense?

The next time you need transmission service The next time you need transmission service in Sarasota, Bradenton and the surrounding areas, we invite you to contact us for a free estimate.

In the hustle and bustle of life, often it is easy to set aside the best interest of our cars in lieu of a fast fix. For those who use the quick, drive-through oil change shops, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing signs for other services as we sit waiting for our car. Unfortunately, many car owners elect for the quick-fix when it comes to transmission service, a decision which is often costly in the future.

Transmission service is much more than a quick oil-change, a fact that many owners don’t realize until it’s too late. While quick-service shops are known for providing quick service, most are failing to inspect a car further than seeing if a complimentary vacuum would be appreciated before the car leaves the shop. While other shops simply drain the oil into a pan and quickly replace, a transmission specialist will inspect the oil to see if it really burnt or only slightly. In addition, a specialist will look at the material at the bottom of a sump to see if there is a bigger problem outside of normal wear-and-tear.

At Jim Dowell Transmission, we use the most innovation diagnostic scan tools to help us service and also prevent transmission issues. We understand that timely service is a priority, but we also patiently and explicitly walk you through the service process so you understand what you are getting and why.

Our concern while providing service is making sure the service we provide sustains over time and ensures the safety of our customers and their families. The next time you need transmission service in Sarasota, Bradenton and the surrounding areas, we invite you to contact us for a free estimate.