You don’t have to be an auto expert to know that transmission problems can be expensive to fix. Similarly, replacing an entire transmission could set you back quite a bit. Proper maintenance is vital to keeping your transmission healthy, but knowing how it works is also important. This short guide explains how your 2013 Nissan Sentra transmission works — plus you’ll learn some telltale signs to help you spot common transmission issues.
What Does a Transmission Do?
Transmission assemblies have one key function: to control how power is applied to a vehicle’s wheels. Manual transmissions were the first, using a clutch and gearshift to let the driver dictate the flow of that power. Why is this important? Well, sometimes you need more power without drastically increasing speed. And sometimes, you need an equal balance of both. Second gear is one great example — it provides just enough bite to improve traction on slippery roads and up hills.
When the clutch isn’t active in a manual transmission vehicle, power moves to the wheels as normal. The gear setting governs how power and speed are balanced. But engaging the clutch temporarily severs that connection so the driver can either change gears or stop the vehicle.
Manual transmissions rely on the driver to activate the shifting process. But automatic transmissions take this process and perform it, well, automatically — without any input from the driver. Your Sentra’s automatic transmission parts are different than a manual transmission system: It uses a torque converter and solenoids, as opposed to a clutch and gearshift.
An automatic transmission’s torque converter has its own clutch and flywheel. It uses hydraulic fluid that’s been pressurized to activate different gears. Solenoids control how and when fluid moves in and out of the transmission system. Working together, these parts relieve you of all the work you’d normally do when driving stick.
Signs of a Failing Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure can cause significant problems for your Nissan. Driving with dirty or consistently low transmission fluid may lead to overheating, but it can also damage transmission solenoids. Faulty transmission oil coolers could also result in overheating. Torque converters damaged by excessive friction or faulty seals can damage the entire transmission assembly. Many of these transmission problems can produce similar symptoms:
- Burning smells from transmission assembly
- Gear slippage
- Clunking, grinding or whining noises
- Shuddering
- Slow response when shifting gears
- Starting in a gear other than park
A Few Last Words About Transmission Parts
Even if you don’t have to replace an entire transmission, you may need to swap out individual components. A bad shifter cable, for instance, can impair your Sentra’s ability to change gears. As for replacing a whole transmission assembly, that’s a different story altogether. A new transmission for your Sentra usually costs between $2,300 to $4,500.
You can find transmission components and systems at a reputable aftermarket auto components dealer. Just check its selection of vehicle drivetrain accessories and transmission parts. Choose a retailer with positive customer feedback plus experts on staff to answer your questions and make sound recommendations for your Sentra.
