Are automatic transmissions a flaky innovation?

[amdforever2]

Are automatic transmissions fundamentally flawed? It seems as every car ages the final costly repair that sends it to the grave is the $1000 plus transmission failure.

Mechanical types, whats the most mileage you've seen out of an auto? And out of a stick?

I've heard really standard transmissions almost never fail, just clutches.

I'd prefer a $400 clutch to a $1400 transmission. And just imagine how long some little honda 4 banger could run, not withstanding transmission issues.

 

[Lithium381]

well i've heard it's a whole lot easier to fix/rebuild a manual, just by design.....i've got 240k on my transmission(stick) and it's just now starting to stick in 2nd, and if i hit a bump or something it'll pop out of 1st

 

[MaxDSP]

Tranny on my 93 Dodge crapped out at 96,000 miles. Our '95 Dodge Caravan is experiencing some problems in 2nd I think, it's got about 92,000 miles on it. Both are auto

 

[Brutuskend]

I have rebuilt a standard trans.(M22 rock crusher)

No way would I try to rebuild a auto.

I hate them anyway.

3 cars = one 3 speed, one four speed, one five speed.

1962 1972 1982

Weird huh?

 

[Nebor]

Drive a BMW with the SMG, then ask.

Any transmission that can shift faster and better than a person is ok by me!

 

[vi edit]

My camry is clicking along just fine with 135k on the clock.

I've seen several Rangers go 150k + without any tranny problems.

4 different GM Full size trucks went 180k+ in my family without problems.

If I have to pay $1000 every 10 years or 150,000 miles to get a tranny rebuilt that isn't a major issue IMHO.

 

[LAUST]

Delete

 

[fyleow]

Auto civic with 110k miles still runs smooth.

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Drive a BMW with the SMG, then ask.

Any transmission that can shift faster and better than a person is ok by me!

SMG is basically a manual transmission with the computer controlling the clutch and gear shifting, not a conventional automatic transmission.... so i dont think it applies in this discussion...

 

[LAUST]

It doesn't take a special tranny to shift fast, if I take out the torque Management my tires will break lose ont he 1-2 and 2-3 shift even at only 3000RPM, at 5800 it just feels like it's going to rip apart my truck.

 

[Compton]

Originally posted by: amdforever2
Are automatic transmissions fundamentally flawed? It seems as every car ages the final costly repair that sends it to the grave is the $1000 plus transmission failure.

Mechanical types, whats the most mileage you've seen out of an auto? And out of a stick?

I've heard really standard transmissions almost never fail, just clutches.

I'd prefer a $400 clutch to a $1400 transmission. And just imagine how long some little honda 4 banger could run, not withstanding transmission issues.

I've got 140k and 20 years on my auto in my Caprice.

Most mileage I've seen was on my uncle's late 80s ford fullsize van. It was still working with 370k when he sold it.

 

[Lifer]

how does one "prolong" the life of an auto tranny?
besides changing ATF fluid regularly.

i drive stick but my future car may be an auto due to NY traffic

 

[compuwiz1]

They are a revenue inherent design.

BTW, something I've long known is, anyone who would buy a dodge is an idiot...probably an inbred, but no less, a pesky working class man.

 

[Ornery]

"Are automatic transmissions a flaky innovation?"

What a fvcking moron! Is your engine a flaky innovation? It requires oil and filter changes 3 or 4 times per year. How often do you have to fvck with an auto trans? Yeah, that's what I thought. STFU and STOP POSTING! :disgust:

 

[Thegonagle]

My '87 Accord had over 247,000 miles on its all-original (except fluid!) automatic transmission, and it was still doing great until the morning I wrecked the car by sliding into the ditch.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Properly serviced and adjusted an auto should last the life of the engine.
Many autos have internal and external adjustments that must be done to compensate for wear.
These adjustments if not done will cause the trans to slip, generating heat and reducing service life.

Abusing an auto, like pulling a house trailer with a Civic will shorten an autos life




But what do I know. I'm a non-inbred pesky working class man that drives a 94 Dakota V6 auto

 

[crab]

lol...I saw a guy slam a Dakota R/T into reverse doing about 70...and it still works.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"Are automatic transmissions a flaky innovation?"

What a fvcking moron! Is your engine a flaky innovation? It requires oil and filter changes 3 or 4 times per year. How often do you have to fvck with an auto trans? Yeah, that's what I thought. STFU and STOP POSTING! :disgust:

Who pissed in your Wheaties this morning?

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: Ornery
"Are automatic transmissions a flaky innovation?"

What a fvcking moron! Is your engine a flaky innovation? It requires oil and filter changes 3 or 4 times per year. How often do you have to fvck with an auto trans? Yeah, that's what I thought. STFU and STOP POSTING! :disgust:

Who pissed in your Wheaties this morning?

Well I actually agree with Ornery here, but his Wheaties have perpetual piss in them.

 

[StageLeft]

Autos cost more up front than a manual, more in maintenance, and more in repairs. For this reason, plus mild increases in performance and often gas milege, I have yet to buy a car with an automatic transmission. A manual requires its transmission fluid to be changed every 30-60k at most and that's it. Many people never even change it at all. It's a much, much simpler and less complex transmission, so naturally there is less that can go wrong with it, and if something does go wrong it's going to cost in the ballpark of 1/2 the price to replace than it would replacing an automatic transmission. I know a guy who had to spend $2200 on a new tranny for his 85k mazda millenia. That's just rude.

 

[geno]

I know a guy who had to spend $2200 on a new tranny for his 85k mazda millenia

Yeah my friend had to pay about that much to get a newer tranny installed into his Windstar that has something like 40-50K miles...

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Autos cost more up front than a manual, more in maintenance, and more in repairs. For this reason, plus mild increases in performance and often gas milege, I have yet to buy a car with an automatic transmission. A manual requires its transmission fluid to be changed every 30-60k at most and that's it. Many people never even change it at all. It's a much, much simpler and less complex transmission, so naturally there is less that can go wrong with it, and if something does go wrong it's going to cost in the ballpark of 1/2 the price to replace than it would replacing an automatic transmission. I know a guy who had to spend $2200 on a new tranny for his 85k mazda millenia. That's just rude.

How is $2200 rude? Many newer cars' trannies cost more b/c they are more complicated with computers and what not. If the tranny goes on an automatic, u should expect to pay a shtload. Furthermore, ever try driving a stick in gridlock rush hour traffic? It's inconceivable. Sure, if I lived in the country or burbs where I wasn't stuck in traffic all day stick would be fun... but it's reality.