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While it may be tempting to leave all decisions regarding your auto maintenance up to your mechanic, responsible car owners have a basic understanding of their car’s many systems. One of the most complicated and important systems in your vehicle is your transmission. With almost 200 different types of transmissions on the market today, the first step is identifying which one you have. Read on for a helpful guide to get started.

A majority of vehicle owners don’t know which transmission is in the car they drive. As mentioned above, there are various types, so it’s critical to identify which one you have to make informed auto maintenance and repair decisions. Depending on your vehicle’s engine size, you may even have three or four different types under your hood.

How to Identify Your Transmission Type

The first place to start when sleuthing out information regarding your transmission is your owner’s manual. It may be as simple as that. However, some manuals do not include a specific breakdown of your unique transmission system.

transmissionIf your manual falls into this category, the next place to look is under the hood. Most manufacturers will include a sticker near your engine, which will denote whether you have a 6, 8 or HEMI transmission (the three most common options among new vehicles).

If you don’t find a sticker under your hood, the third place to look is your driver-side door. There should be a white sticker along the inside seam that provides basic details about your vehicle, including the transmission. Look out for the abbreviation ‘TR’ and a string of numbers. Provide this code to your local dealership to decipher and help you identify which one you have.

What If Those Methods Were Unsuccessful?

If none of the above methods of transmission identification worked for you, hope is not lost. This is when it’s time to call in a professional. Share your VIN (vehicle identification number) with your dealer or mechanic. Then, they can type it into their computer system and produce a report on your vehicle’s systems.

As a last resort, you can easily schedule a vehicle inspection with your mechanic to get to the bottom of this mystery. In addition to identifying your transmission type, this is also a good time to address any issues you’ve experienced while driving your vehicle and tackling any preventative maintenance.

 

If you’re looking for a reliable mechanic, turn to Alaskan Auto Center, Anchorage's experts in brake repair, tire rotation, engine replacement, and other services. For more than 17 years, this experienced team has provided customers with trustworthy, reliable, and affordable services, regardless of the vehicle’s make or model. Like them on Facebook to learn about their exciting service specials, or call (907) 522-7035 to schedule your first vehicle maintenance or repair appointment. 

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