Following a few simple tips such as making sure that the correct grade of transmission oil is put in during a transmission oil change will ensure that that the automatic transmission of your car will never give you a major problem during its entire working life.

What is an automatic transmission
A transmission is the device that transmits the power of the engine to the drive wheels of your car. This power is transmitted via the axle. Your car could be a front-wheel-drive if the power is transmitted to the front wheels, back-wheel-drive if the power is transmitted to the back wheels, and an all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive, more commonly known as a 4X4 if the engine power is transmitted to all the four wheels.

The engine of a car runs best at a particular RPM. The job of the transmission unit in a car is to transfer optimum power at any stage using a variety of gears, keeping the RPM in a comfortable range. This is why you will always use the first gear when moving from a standstill. As your speed increases, you will keep shifting into a higher gear. You do this gear-change manually using the clutch and gear lever in a car with a manual transmission. A car with auto-transmission will not require you to make the gear changes, it will do it automatically using various sensory equipment.

Older car models using automatic transmission were pretty simple and depended more on mechanical components. The latest cars depend on a host of components - mechanical, hydraulic and electronic - all working in perfect synchronization. What causes your automatic transmission to cause problems is when all of these various parameters stop synchronizing perfectly.

It is much easier for you to know that there is a problem with the transmission when it is manual. Many a times you get the feeling of the gear not shifting the way it should when you do it manually. You immediately take the car to an authorized mechanic, and the fault is rectified, causing a minimum dent in your pocket. This is usually not possible with an automatic transmission, since you could notice something strange only when it is too late. This can sometimes involve major work with high costs involved.

Problems with an automatic transmission
The automatic transmission on the latest automobiles consist of a variety of components. These include: Planetary gear sets, the hydraulic system to control and activate the clutch, the torque converter which acts as a clutch allowing the vehicle to come to a standstill with engine running and in gear, the governor and throttle cable monitor that senses when to shift gears (in older models), and the onboard computer which senses various parameters allowing for precise gear shifting allowing you the freedom to choose between settings for high power or better mileage.

How all these components work is a very complex subject. The working of all of these components in perfect harmony requires high precision and split-second accuracy. The malfunctioning of even one component can cause undesired results during gear shifting. Smooth gear shifts happen when you can't hear it, but feel it when at the same acceleration your power suddenly drops down but speed increases. There is something wrong when you can feel the gear changing, but at the same time also hear a clinking sound. There is something really wrong when you feel a shudder with each gear shift.

Taking care of your vehicles automatic transmission
Since you do not have any role in gear-change when using a vehicle with automatic transmission, the chances of the gears getting faulty due to human error are non-existent. The main ingredient that will keep the automatic transmission performing like new is the transmission oil. You know how important changing the engine oil on time is, and the serious damage that can occur in case you don't. Same is the case with changing transmission oil, but this is one area that is very often neglected, resulting in sudden and serious damage to the transmission.

If you get your vehicle serviced at a company specified service outlet, chances are that you do not need to worry about the various oil changes that your car requires. In all likelihood your vehicles entire service details will be maintained and all required changes and servicing done on time. The problem is that most will go to such service outlets only when their vehicles are new. Once the vehicle gets older, the local mechanic will do. This is one reason why you must keep a maintenance record of all servicing and oil changes made since the vehicle was new. Engine oil change is a regular feature and will be done at every servicing. Not so with certain other oils such as the axle oil, brake oil, coolant oil, and transmission oil. You should know when these oils were last changed and when they need changing next.

Always follow what your vehicle manufacturer suggests. They have done a lot of R&D to know what suits your vehicle best and will need changing at what interval. If your manufacturer suggests that you change your automatic transmission oil after every 40,000 miles, do it on time. To be on the safer side, get the oil change done around the 35,000 miles mark. This will not harm in any way and ensure that the transmission unit keeps performing like new.

One of the prime reasons for automatic transmission problems occurring after the oil is changed is using of the wrong grade of oil. Every manufacturer clearly mentions what grade of oil is to be used in case of an oil change. Make sure that your mechanic used only this grade of oil for the oil change. Using any other grade of oil, however small the difference may be, could prove extremely fatal for your vehicles transmission unit. It is also possible that your mechanic has told you that he has used the specified grade of oil, but in reality has used oil of some other grade, possibly left-over after changing the transmission oil for some car of a different make. Always make it a point to be present when your mechanic is getting the oil changed. Also make very sure that he changes the oil filter. Using an old filter will result in the clean oil getting dirty with all the previous oils contaminants.

There are several other minor problems that may occur with an automatic transmission. Proper and timely care is all that is required to avert any damage. Most of the problems that you may notice might just require some minor tuning.

If you notice that the gear does not shift smoothly or shifts at odd times, the problem could be a minor one with the onboard computer. Some settings could have got disturbed, causing the problem. What is usually required is reconfiguring the computer resulting in smoother and timely gearshifts. A delay in getting this done will have no impact on the computer, but on the mechanical parts that help in the gear change.

When you give your car for a normal service always ask the mechanic to check for even the slightest leakage of oil from the transmission unit. If a leak is noticed ask the mechanic to get the leak sealed off. If the leak is of extremely minor nature and the mechanic says that the oil leak requires a gasket change that would require him to remove the entire unit, forget it for the time being. Get it replaced when going in for an oil change. Just make sure that the oil level is maintained and occasionally keep checking for an increase in the oil leakage.

When a problem is noticed, act immediately
Once you get used to the transmission changing gears smoothly, you will surely notice even the slightest change when the unit performs undesirably. Do not hesitate or wait for later, visit your mechanic as soon as possible and tell him of the change. It could be something very minor that can be solved immediately. Ignoring it may result in this small problem getting bigger and in turn involving more components. This in time can lead to major malfunctioning resulting in the requirement of a total overhaul. What could have been solved in a few dollars will now cost you a great deal more. This will also require precious time, so you will have to do without your car for a few days.

Always be alert and wise. The moment you notice or feel something amiss, get professional advice immediately. This applies not only for your automatic vehicles transmission, but to absolutely any vehicle, and absolutely any component.

Remember: Once you notice even the smallest of problems in your vehicle, get it solved immediately. The more you delay solving the problem, the deeper will the hole in your pocket get!