For many everyday drivers, there are few words that inspire more fear during a conversation with your mechanic than the dreaded “transmission repair.” Through technology that most of us have absolutely no grasp on, the transmission is somehow responsible for shifting a car from gear to gear, and in automatics, it also can tell when gears need to be changed based upon changes in the vehicle speed and acceleration or braking. While having a comprehensive understanding of how this entire process works is totally unnecessary for 99% of the population, knowing the basics of transmission functionality can save you from being ripped off by a shady mechanic or car repair shop.

Let’s start with some of the terminology, so that if you hear the words “bell housing” or “gears” or “transmission fluid”, you won’t immediately get intimidated. The “bell housing” is a term for the portion of the transmission that covers the flywheel and the clutch of the transmission. Gears effectively control the ratio of RPMs between the input and output shafts of your vehicle which dictate how quickly your wheels are spinning. Transmission fluid (which is usually red in color) ensures that all parts of the transmission are lubricated to prevent cracks and breakage. Lastly, your transmission filter works with the fluid to catch any gunk or buildup that would potentially inhibit your transmission from shifting gears at the right time.

Now that we’ve covered some of the common ‘jargon’, let’s talk about some common symptoms of a transmission problem, and what might be some simple (and less expensive) solutions before signing off on a professional transmission service. Most transmission problems lead to the car not moving at all, or not moving smoothly. If either of these symptoms are occurring, troubleshoot the problem first by checking the following potential issues:

• Is your transmission fluid level incorrect? This should be regularly checked at least twice a year as low fluid levels can cause unnecessary wear & tear or even breakage of gears and parts.

• Is your transmission leaking? A consistently low transmission fluid level can be a sign of a leak. A transmission is built as a closed system, so there should be no leakage whatsoever. Unless you have a ‘non-dyed’ fluid, red fluid leaking from the underbelly of your automobile is a sure sign of a transmission fluid leak. Alternatively, if your car has a transmission cooler, fluid can leak into the radiator. Since radiator fluid and transmission fluid don’t mix well, it should be easy to tell if this is occurring.

• Is your transmission filter clogged? If your filter has not been changed in awhile, try changing it before even considering a transmission rebuild.

Once you’ve diagnosed if one of these aforementioned problems is occurring, communicate that to your mechanic or auto repair shop. Demonstrating an elementary knowledge of your transmission and issues with your vehicle will greatly decrease the likelihood of you getting taken advantage of. If there’s a leak or a filter issue, insist on addressing that issue first before authorizing a transmission rebuild or replacement. Ultimately, even if fixing any of these issues yourself is going to be impossible due to the necessary tools and expertise, understanding the symptoms and solutions can save you thousands of dollars.