Automatic Transmission Repair
A conventional automatic gearbox changes gear with hydraulic pressure, clutch packs and solenoids controlled by a computer. Slipping, jerking and delays almost always have a specific cause, from burnt fluid to a worn clutch, and the earlier it is found the smaller the repair tends to be.
From AED 499Written quote after diagnosis, before work startsConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- 1-2 days for solenoid or valve work; overhauls take longer
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
Signs you need automatic transmission repair
- Revs rise but the car does not accelerate as it should, as if the gear slipped
- A bang or jolt when you move the selector from Park to Drive or Reverse
- A pause of a second or more before the car moves off
- Gear changes that flare, with revs flying up between gears
- A burnt smell, or fluid that is dark brown instead of red
- Gearbox warning light, or the car stuck in one gear in limp mode
What usually causes it
Old or burnt fluid
Automatic transmission fluid cools, lubricates and carries hydraulic pressure. Once it is oxidised, the friction material wears faster and the clutches begin to slip. Fluid that smells burnt means heat damage has already begun.
Worn clutch packs
Each gear is engaged by a stack of friction plates. When the lining wears away, the clutch cannot hold, and you feel it as slip or flare, usually in one particular gear first.
Failing shift solenoids
Solenoids are electric valves that route fluid to the clutches. A sticking or electrically weak one gives harsh or missed shifts and stores a clear fault code.
Low line pressure
A worn pump, a blocked filter or a leaking seal drops system pressure. The gearbox then cannot hold clutches firmly, and the damage escalates quickly.
How we do automatic transmission repair
- 1
Scan and road test
We read gearbox codes and live data such as slip ratios and temperature, and drive the car to feel exactly which gear and condition causes the fault.
- 2
Fluid and pan inspection
The level and condition of the fluid are checked, then the pan is dropped when needed. A magnet full of fine paste is normal; metal flakes or clutch material tell us how deep the damage goes.
- 3
Pressure and component tests
Line pressure is measured and the solenoids are tested. This separates a cheap electrical or fluid repair from a mechanical one.
- 4
Repair to the cause
That may mean a fluid and filter service, solenoids, a valve body repair or a full overhaul. You get the options and prices, with OEM, aftermarket or used parts, before any work starts.
By make and model
Mercedes-Benz
On 7G-Tronic gearboxes, a failing electrical conductor plate and its sensors is a known cause of limp mode and erratic shifting, so it is checked early.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Heat is the gearbox's enemy. Fluid in a car crawling through Sheikh Zayed Road traffic at 45 degrees runs far hotter than the service book assumes, which is why gearbox fluid lasts shorter here and why we suggest earlier fluid changes for cars used mostly in the city.
Questions about automatic transmission repair
Is it safe to drive with a slipping gearbox?
Every kilometre makes it worse because slipping clutches create heat and debris. If it is slipping badly, limit driving to getting it to us.
Will a fluid change fix a slipping gearbox?
Sometimes, if the problem is just degraded fluid. If the clutches are already worn, fresh fluid will not restore them, and we will say so before charging for it.
Rebuild or replace?
Depends on the damage and the price of a replacement unit for your model. The quote shows both when both are realistic.
Do you charge for diagnosing?
Diagnosis is free if you go ahead with the repair here. If you decide not to, the diagnosis is charged, and the amount is on the quote first.
Last updated
Get a written quote
Tell us about your car. You get an itemised quote before any work starts, and you choose OEM, aftermarket or used parts.