Transmission service in Melbourne, at our Knoxfield workshop.
Your transmission takes the engine's power and turns it into drive at the wheels. Most of the time you'll never think about it. Then one day the gear changes feel late, harsh or slushy, and you start wondering how big the bill will be.
Often it isn't big. A lot of shift problems come from old fluid, a sticking solenoid or a worn mount rather than worn gears. We service and diagnose automatic, CVT, dual-clutch (DSG) and manual transmissions, and we find out what's actually wrong before anything gets replaced.
What's included in a transmission service
A transmission service replaces the fluid that cools and lubricates the gearbox, and checks the parts around it. On most cars it includes:
- Draining the old fluid and checking it for burning, metal or contamination
- Replacing the filter and pan gasket where the gearbox has them
- Cleaning the pan and magnet
- Refilling with the fluid your gearbox specifies (the wrong one causes shift problems)
- Checking for leaks at the seals, cooler lines and pan
- A scan for stored transmission fault codes
- A road test to check the shifts once it's done
The exact steps depend on the gearbox. Some are sealed units with no dipstick, some need the fluid checked at a set temperature, and some need the gearbox's learned shift settings reset afterwards.
Automatic, CVT and DSG gearboxes
Conventional automatics. These rely on clean fluid at the right pressure to work their internal clutches. Old fluid loses its friction properties, and shifts get harsh or late.
CVTs (continuously variable transmissions). Common in Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Honda models. They use a belt or chain between two pulleys and need a CVT-specific fluid. A whine that rises with speed, or a shudder pulling away, is worth getting looked at early.
Dual-clutch (DSG) gearboxes. Found in VW, Audi and Skoda (and similar units elsewhere). The wet-clutch versions have their own fluid and filter service in the logbook. Jerky low-speed driving or a hesitation pulling away from a stop are the usual signs something needs attention.
Manual gearboxes. These need less servicing, but the oil still wears out. A notchy change or a whine in one gear is worth a check before it becomes a rebuild.
Signs your transmission needs attention
- Gear changes that are late, harsh or flare the revs between gears
- Slipping, where the revs rise but the car doesn't pick up speed
- A delay before the car moves when you select Drive or Reverse
- A clunk when you engage a gear
- Whining, humming or grinding that changes with speed
- Red or brown fluid under the car
- A burning smell after a drive
- A gearbox or check-engine warning light
Get it checked early. Most of the cheap fixes only work before the damage spreads.
Diagnosis first, so you only pay for what's wrong
We don't guess with gearboxes. When a car comes in with a shift problem, we:
- Ask what it's doing and when. Cold or hot, which gear, under load or cruising.
- Scan for fault codes. A lot of slipping that appears with a warning light is electronic, a solenoid or a speed sensor.
- Check the fluid. Its level, colour and smell tell us a lot about what's happening inside.
- Road test it. We feel the problem ourselves before we decide anything.
- Explain the options and the price. You decide what happens next.
Sometimes the answer is a fluid service. Sometimes it's a solenoid, a sensor, a mount or a leaking seal. If the gearbox itself is worn out, we'll say so plainly.
Transmission repairs we handle
- Fluid and filter services
- Leaking seals, cooler lines and pan gaskets
- Solenoid and sensor faults
- Gearbox and engine mounts
- Clutch repairs on manual cars (see clutch repairs)
If the gearbox needs a full rebuild or a reconditioned unit, that's covered on our gearbox repairs and reconditioning page.
What a transmission service costs
A fluid and filter service usually costs about $250 to $550. Where it sits in that range depends on the gearbox, how much fluid it takes and whether it has a filter. Dual-clutch and European automatics sit at the upper end.
Solenoid, valve body and rebuild prices are in our gearbox repair cost guide. We quote your car before we start, and nothing extra goes ahead without your OK.
European transmissions
European automatics and dual-clutch boxes are a big part of what we see, especially from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and Porsche owners. Many need the right fluid to the right temperature and an adaptation reset afterwards, so the service is done properly rather than just drained and refilled.
Why drivers choose Tyre Doctors
- Owner-operated workshop. You talk to the people who work on your car.
- Straight advice. We tell you when it's a $300 fix rather than a $3,000 one, and when it can wait.
- Quoted before we start. No surprises on the invoice.
- 606+ five-star Google reviews from local drivers.
Book a transmission service in Melbourne
Gear changes feeling off, or a transmission service due in your logbook? Call the workshop on (03) 9763 0100 or 0455 330 000, or book online. We're at 5/1644 Ferntree Gully Rd, Knoxfield.