Servicing An Automatic....

[ThaiLife]

I am looking at buying an Automatic 2.5 Lt Turbo Diesel Intercooler pick up

and wondered what the difference would be in the routine servicing of an Automatic compared to a manual Model …? Is there more to be checked / inspected / replaced / and adjusted on an automatic

than a manual …. ?

TL

[lingling]

I am looking at buying an Automatic 2.5 Lt Turbo Diesel Intercooler pick up

and wondered what the difference would be in the routine servicing of an Automatic compared to a manual Model …? Is there more to be checked / inspected / replaced / and adjusted on an automatic

than a manual …. ?

If you change transmission oil on the intervals specified by the manufacturer, a car with automatic transmission is more difficult to break than one with manual... (less risk of running it at too high or too low RPMs etc etc)

[Jamie]

I think manuals hold up a lot better than automatics. Automatics cost more for repairs too if something goes. That being said, about the only thing you will really have to service is a regular change of transmission fluid and filter change. Every few years a transmission flush would be a good idea.

[Crossy]

As others have mentioned, the only regular servicing for an auto box is a fluid change and occasional flush.

BUT

Modern autos are incredibly complex both mechanically and electrically, most definately not something Somchai (or even in my experience, Main Agents) can repair in his hut.

Manual boxes are simple and robust, even an enthusiastic amateur (Somchai) can rebuld one on his kitchen table (this is becoming less true, but they're still 100x simpler than an auto).

If you're buying new, you have the warranty to fall back on when things break, but as your vehicle gets older and things start to go wrong....

After my last auto (in Thailand) I will never buy another (at least not here).

[ThaiLife]

Crossy, what sort of problems did you have with your automatic, as I am expecting to have the new auto pick for some years to come your comment…… (After my last auto (in Thailand) I will never buy another (at least not here)….. It’s got me wondering if Automatics are as reliable as Manual gear boxes…? .

has any other forum members had automatic box problems here in Thailand …? If so what were they?

And has it put you off automatic’s .

TL

[tutsiwarrior]

last year my wife bought a Yamaha Mio automatic motorbike. Auto motorbikes are a relatively new item but I have seen more of them on the street recently...sorta like a scooter but with bigger wheels. Anyone got anything to relate?

[Crossy]

Crossy, what sort of problems did you have with your automatic, as I am expecting to have the new auto pick for some years to come your comment…… (After my last auto (in Thailand) I will never buy another (at least not here)….. It's got me wondering if Automatics are as reliable as Manual gear boxes…? .

OK, as complexity increases, reliability decreases, a fairly fundamental (although simplistic) approach, therefore the more complex auto must be less reliable.

My personal experience was with an older BMW, I lost count of the number of times the 'pay lots of money to the garage' light came on, it always went off if you stopped the engine for a minute or so. Had a 'refurbished' box and a 'new' gearbox controller (seperate occasions) had a spell in the main agent hooked to the diaganostic tool, never really fixed it just came back with a different set of faults, grrrrr. Shame really, it was a wonderful drive and went like a bat out of hel_l (325i) particularly in 'Sport' mode, never worked out why the box had a 'Snow' setting though

If anyone has recently bought a silver 325i on a xx6336 plate, sorry mate, hope it came with a warranty.

[ThaiLife]

Thanks Crossy,……… ive never really thought just how reliable automatic vehicles were

and it’s making me wonder if buying a new automatic version of the pickup I am looking at

will be in the long term a wise thing to do..? After reading your comment … ( OK, as complexity increases, reliability decreases, a fairly fundamental (although simplistic) approach, therefore the more complex auto must be less reliable.)

I am just wondering if any one else who has bought an Auto vehicle, took into consideration future possible automatic gear box problems..? And Jamie’s comment…… ( I think manuals hold up a lot better than automatics. Automatics cost more for repairs too if something goes. ) only reinforces that may be manual is the long term way to go…? Any one with an Auto out there who can add to this …..

TL

[elkangorito]

I totally agree with Crossy. Modern autotrans are designed to be thrown away & not repaired (generally, they are not repairable). They can't take as much of a hiding as a fully serviceable manuel trans can. Give me a clutch & gear stick anyday...gives you better control over your vehicle.

[ThaiLife]

Thanks for the replys..

As I drive about I now see far more ' Pickup's with the logo 'Automatic' and it seems to be

a trend here that is increasing day by day, nearly all the manufactures now offer an Automatic

Version, and just seeing the numbers of forum members who have bought or buying Automatics,

it would be interesting to hear some more from any one who has purchased an automatic , and get some more Comments from users new and long term, would they buy an automatic, next time..? Or has it been A disappointment owning an automatic...? And have they experienced any problems , if so

What were they?

TL

[Plus]

Pickups, as commercial vehicles, still offer manuals, many car models don't. No problem with choice - auto only.

[undercover]

I totally agree with Crossy. Modern autotrans are designed to be thrown away & not repaired (generally, they are not repairable). They can't take as much of a hiding as a fully serviceable manuel trans can. Give me a clutch & gear stick anyday...gives you better control over your vehicle.

I feel I must step in on behalf of the humble automatic transmision,

I would be the first to agree they can be as unreliable as a Pattaya bart buss drivers verbal contract, but it's not fair to say there weak, I remember the Corvette stingray manual transmission, the clutch just couldent handle the power, one desent burnout and it was history.

Land rover, there's another manual box load of <deleted>, Even JCB are now auto, many of the old JCB's used to shear off the mainshaft like a carrot if you went too hard into a pile of dirt, the new ones with the torque multiplication of the autobox are much stronger.

[dvk1951]

I totally agree with Crossy. Modern autotrans are designed to be thrown away & not repaired (generally, they are not repairable). They can't take as much of a hiding as a fully serviceable manuel trans can. Give me a clutch & gear stick anyday...gives you better control over your vehicle.

I feel I must step in on behalf of the humble automatic transmision,

I would be the first to agree they can be as unreliable as a Pattaya bart buss drivers verbal contract, but it's not fair to say there weak, I remember the Corvette stingray manual transmission, the clutch just couldent handle the power, one desent burnout and it was history.

Land rover, there's another manual box load of <deleted>, Even JCB are now auto, many of the old JCB's used to shear off the mainshaft like a carrot if you went too hard into a pile of dirt, the new ones with the torque multiplication of the autobox are much stronger.

Will toss my hat into the auto ring as well, have only experienced auto troubles once when I made the mistake of buying an old telephone company truck. The reliability is there as is the low maintenance as long as it is not abused (true of anything mechanical). The 5 speed auto in the Ranger coupled to the 3l commonrail impressed me greatly, it is a tried and proven tranny as it is the same one found in the Explorer.

The early auto's in the 70's had problems with bands needing adjustment but have not heard of that problem for decades. I would much rather change my tranny fluid from time to time than have to replace clutch plates and throwout bearings.

Undercover, give it a test drive, I think you will be impressed.

[Jamie]

Are you planning on towing with this truck? One of the worst enemies of an automatic trasmission is heat. I would recommend two things. If this truck doesn't already have one, get a transmission cooler installed. Secondly, you can buy a aftermarket transmission temp guage which will tell you how hot your transmission fluid is running at. When you start getting above 225F (107C), you are going to see early failure of your clutch packs and bands.

Some people may laugh at this but I like to change out the tranny fluid in the pan once a year. If you have a drain hole in your pan, it takes just a few minutes of your time to do and doesn't cost that much. After I lost the planetary gears in my transmission at about 75,000 miles, I have been doing this. My truck is just about ready to turn over to 230,000 miles with no major problems.

[tgeezer]

Crossy, what sort of problems did you have with your automatic, as I am expecting to have the new auto pick for some years to come your comment…… (After my last auto (in Thailand) I will never buy another (at least not here)….. It's got me wondering if Automatics are as reliable as Manual gear boxes…? .

OK, as complexity increases, reliability decreases, a fairly fundamental (although simplistic) approach, therefore the more complex auto must be less reliable.

My personal experience was with an older BMW, I lost count of the number of times the 'pay lots of money to the garage' light came on, it always went off if you stopped the engine for a minute or so. Had a 'refurbished' box and a 'new' gearbox controller (seperate occasions) had a spell in the main agent hooked to the diaganostic tool, never really fixed it just came back with a different set of faults, grrrrr. Shame really, it was a wonderful drive and went like a bat out of hel_l (325i) particularly in 'Sport' mode, never worked out why the box had a 'Snow' setting though

If anyone has recently bought a silver 325i on a xx6336 plate, sorry mate, hope it came with a warranty.

You must treat a car as a consumable they all work when they are new, and reliability;(not breaking down) never a problem except with a 'banger. I got a new Audi thinking that the quality would allow me to keep it for a long time. The electric window was the first thing to go and there is no choice of dealer, they broke the trim repairing it. Had it for seven years, everytime it got near the agent it cost over 10,000. finally ditched it for a good price (the name is good) Now have a common or garden Jap car, "wheel on each corner" 15000 a month, if it lasts to the end of the payments for five years, I will get a new one. When they get better at maintenance here it might be worth keeping a car, but I doubt it.

[Plus]

New models, new generations of cars come out faster than ever. Who'd want to maintain a ten year old Mazda pickup truck so that it can go for another ten years?

[ThaiLife]

If you change the transmission fluid at the correct manufactures intervals, do you have to change the

Transmission fluid filter at the same time..? And if so where would you normally find this fluid filter, some one has told me normally it may be inside the auto transmission pan..? So that would mean dropping the pan, where's your Auto fluid filter can you access it with out dropping the pan..?

TL

[elkangorito]

If you change the transmission fluid at the correct manufactures intervals, do you have to change the

Transmission fluid filter at the same time..? And if so where would you normally find this fluid filter, some one has told me normally it may be inside the auto transmission pan..? So that would mean dropping the pan, where's your Auto fluid filter can you access it with out dropping the pan..?

TL

If you have an oldish automatic, it may be lucky enough to have an internal filter, which can be changed. Generally, most modern automatic transmissions are sealed & cannot be serviced in a normal or easy way. For example, Ford & Holden Australia have been making sealed auto trans for the last 12 years or so. If something goes wrong with the trans & the warranty has expired, you buy a new trans or by a reconditioned one. There is no other choice....& they are not exactly cheap.

[ThaiLife]

Thanks elkangorito does any one know if the following makes who sell Auto models here in Thailand

have sealed auto transmission boxes....

Toyota , Ford, Mitsubishi , Isuzu

TL

[Jamie]

I'm pretty sure that Ford has a replaceable tranny filter. As for the Toyota, I heard that it can vary. You need to drop the pan to get to the filter. Changing the filter and pan gasket doesn't take any more time then changing motor oil. It definitely helps if the pan has a drain plug, otherwise it can get messy.

[stingray]

If you buy a car with a small engine, it is better if it's manual, because automatic Transmission uses more power (Acceleration is not the same). If you buy a car with a big engine, better only automatic. But another thing: Who want drive a manual gear in Thailands heavy traffic? Therefore i prefere Automatic. Later if you selling your car, the price will be higher if its a automatic, they hold theyr value better. Automatic transmission can be repaired. Usally the cluches inside have to be replaced, after 200'000 km, or even more. only a specialized mechanic can do this job. No lacal mechanics, the maybe create more troubles, because the dissabmling and assembling have to be made very exactly. there are many small valves, balls, rings, etc inside the transmission. If one of them got lost the transmission never works properly again. Many automatic transmissions are electronic controlled, by a computer box. The electronic system can only checked by a diagnostic computer. Most of todays automatic trans, have solenoid inside, someting the troubles ccome from them, they are easy to replace. Anyway i would never drive a manual in this traffic.