Solving Transmission Issues

By Ane Theron

Whether your car is new or old, you want it to be running as smoothly as possible! Yet, there comes a day when something doesn’t feel quite right. Do you suspect it may be your car’s transmission?

Identifying problems

If your car’s transmission feels different from how it normally does, you may be headed for a break-down. Other symptoms include gear hunting, a delay before you feel the gear engage, jerking when engaging Drive or Reverse, slipping, or a transmission fluid leak. A rough change-over into the next gear should also be checked out.

Watch AutoTrader’s video HERE to see if your transmission displays any questionable symptoms.

What now?

The first step would be to find out what kind of transmission is driving your car. If you drive a premium British or German (automatic) car, chances are that it is fitted with a ZF transmission. But what to do if your car is out of warranty? Where will you take it? Don’t go to some backyard nobody. They may not have the relevant experience, training and equipment to do the necessary repairs, costing you more in the long-run. And what guarantee do you as car-owner have, that they will use genuine ZF-parts?

 ZF Services SA

South Africa has its very own ZF Services with a transmission repair centre to take care of these transmission issues. ZF Services SA is responsible for the sale of original ZF parts as well as the aftermarket sales, service and product support of its extensive range of passenger car parts and products to OEM dealers, independent workshops and end-user levels. 

How to check if your car has a ZF transmission

If you go onto the ZF website, there is a nifty tool namely ‘Stars by ZF’, where you can check  whether  your car has been fitted with ZF transmission, and with which one; as well as other components that ZF may be able to assist you with. 

Branches across SA

With branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, the ZF passenger car workshops will repair and maintain ZF gearboxes and transfer cases within three to five days, and all full repairs includes a 1-year/unlimited km warranty. Whether it’s a quick repair thanks to readily available replacement parts or just a preventative gearbox overhaul, services can also include exchange units.

Don’t forget about servicing your transmission. An oil change service offering also ensures the longevity of your automatic transmission.

How to extend the life of your automatic transmission

Prevention is always better than cure! You can make small changes to bad habits that harm your auto transmission. Coasting down a hill in neutral won’t save you any fuel, it’s just unhealthy for your transmission. So is shifting to Neutral at robots. Never, ever switch gears unless your car has come to a complete standstill. For more tips watch our video HERE

Click here for ZF Services SA contact details.