We get heaps of people popping into Grimmer Motors here in Hamilton asking about how to look after their transmission, whether it’s a manual Mazda Demio from Te Awamutu or an automatic VW Passat from Cambridge. With all the hills on Clyde Street, the potholes in Rototuna, and stop-start missions into the city, your gearbox works overtime — especially with NZ roads throwing four seasons at you in a day. You want it running sweet as for as long as possible. So here’s a bit of straight-shooting advice you’ll actually use, whether your ride’s a Suzuki Swift, Toyota Hiace, or SsangYong Rexton. These are tips we pass on to folks every week at the workshop.

1. Check Your Transmission Fluid Regularly

It’s Easy to Skip — But Don’t

If you’ve got an automatic, make a habit of checking the transmission fluid every month or so. It’s usually a simple job with a dipstick. The fluid should be bright red, not brown or smelling burnt. Had a Mitsubishi Outlander come in from Morrinsville last month with black, smelly fluid and it ended up costing more to fix than a decent holiday. Manuals like those Isuzu D-MAX utes don’t need it checked as often, but it’s still worth keeping an eye out for weird-looking gunk or metal shavings when you change the fluid — that stuff means trouble brewing inside. Staying on top of fluid can save you paying for a tow back from the middle of SH3.

Learn more about the importance of regular transmission fluid checks and how they can prevent costly repairs.

2. Watch How You Drive

Manual? Mind Your Clutch — Auto? Mind The Heat

If you’re crawling along Peachgrove Road or stuck at lights in Dinsdale, don’t just sit there riding the clutch if you’ve got a manual. Flick it into neutral. Had a regular in a Honda Jazz bust her clutch from habitually keeping her foot down on every school run — and nobody enjoys that bill. For automatics — heavy towing and slogging through rush-hour on Te Rapa Straight can get things hot quick. Seen more than one Nissan X-Trail overheat its transmission towing a trailer of firewood out from Tamahere in summer. If you do lots of this, think about fitting an extra cooler — cheap insurance if you ask me.

3. Book In For Regular Transmission Servicing

Don’t Leave It Until You Hear Weird Noises

Doesn’t matter if it’s a Peugeot 308 or a Ford Ranger — transmission servicing is just good sense. Manuals might need clutch cables or linkages tweaked, and autos often like a filter and fluid change around the 50,000km mark. One of our techs can spot the warning signs before you end up stuck on the side of Mill Street in the rain. Always stick to your car’s official book, but if in doubt, ask us — we see everything from Subaru Foresters to Hyundai i30s in for these jobs.

4. Don’t Ignore Transmission Warning Signs

Noises, Slipping, Hard Shifting? Get It Looked At

If your manual’s suddenly a nightmare to shift, or you hear grinding or crunching heading up into Hillcrest, get it checked. Same goes for autos that start slipping, lurching or have a big delay between gear changes. Seen a late-model Kia Carnival owned by a student nurse from Chartwell go from a quick fix to total rebuild because she hoped the noise would go away. It never does — and it can be a safety risk. If you want to know what common transmission problems sound like, check this handy guide on warning signs.

5. Stick To The Right Fluids And Genuine Parts

Cutting Corners Here Can Cost Big

Saw a late-shape Skoda Octavia come in from Gordonton — owner had used some cheap fluid from the supermarket. Transmission hated it, shifted rough and almost cost them a gearbox. Always use what the manufacturer tells you — especially in European or hybrid vehicles, which are a bit fussy. Same goes for replacement parts. Saves a headache down the road and keeps you sorted for any future car service Hamilton or WOF Hamilton checks.

Look, at Grimmer Motors, our workshop sees the lot. Doesn’t matter if you’re coming in from Ngaruawahia, Raglan, or just around the corner in Fairfield. We know our way around transmissions — any make, any model. Bring your car in, and you’ll get:

  • Proper advice for manuals and autos alike

  • Up-to-date knowledge of car service and WOF Hamilton standards

  • Genuine parts and fluids every time

  • Quick response if you’ve got transmission issues — big or small

  • A local reputation you can actually trust

Need to book in? Hit the button below — we’ll look after you and your car like it’s our own.

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