Transmission, 2.0

I have been working on cars for most of my life. No, I am not an auto mechanic; I am more of an “on demand do it because you have to” kind of guy. For the most part, I can usually fix just about anything… to a point. If I don’t know how to do something, my usual approach is that it’s already broke, so I can’t make it any worse.

But sometimes, some things need a professional to do the job –like in the case of a car’s transmission.

One of the things I have accepted over the years is that working on cars always, always involves grease and dirt, filthy hands, greasy clothing, and depending upon whether or not you are under the car, grubby hair.

I have also learned that, as the years go by, the cars seem to get more and more complicated and harder for the average Joe to work on. What used to be mechanical components are now electronic. Where there used to be vacuum hoses and metal sensors are now wires and computer sensors. And the dials and buttons have been replaced by full color touch screens.

So when I took my car in the other day with a transmission concern, I was surprised at the outcome.

I expected them to tell me that one of the gears had worn down or that the transmission was faulty and would need to be replaced. Let’s face it, when was the last time something as important, and difficult to get to as a transmission, was a cheap and easy fix.

The final solution was a little unexpected.

They had to apply a software upgrade; a transmission software upgrade.

And the interesting thing is: this fixed the problem.

Since then, I have had no additional difficulties.

The solution involved no grease, no dirt; just patch, reboot and done.

So now the “Grease Monkey” becomes the “Computer Baboon”…

OK you pick the animal.