Dodge and Ram Transmission Repair in San Antonio, TX
Is your Ram 2500 or 3500 slipping when you pull a trailer? Does it shift hard, flare between gears, or go into a limited mode where it stays stuck in one gear? Does your Ram 1500, Durango, or Charger shift roughly or hesitate when you pull away? If you drive a Dodge or Ram here in San Antonio and the transmission is not acting right, it helps to know what is under there and what the usual causes are. Here is a plain look at the transmissions these vehicles use, what drivers tend to notice, and what to do next.
The transmissions in most Dodge and Ram vehicles
The transmission we see most often in Ram heavy-duty trucks is the 68RFE. It is a six-speed automatic used in many Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, especially the ones with the Cummins diesel. These trucks are built to work, and a lot of them spend their lives towing trailers, hauling equipment, or running bigger tires and added horsepower. That kind of use is hard on any transmission.
The 68RFE is one of the units we know best. We rebuild it, and for trucks that tow heavy or have been tuned for more power, we also offer a Billet 68RFE. In plain terms, a billet build replaces some of the original internal parts with stronger, solid-machined ones that are better able to handle the extra load. You can read more on our 68RFE and Billet 68RFE transmissions page.
Most newer Ram 1500 pickups, along with the Durango, Charger, and Challenger, use an eight-speed automatic. It is a smooth and efficient transmission, and like any transmission with a lot of gears, it is shifting often, so drivers tend to notice when something changes.
What Dodge and Ram drivers tend to notice
On heavy-duty Rams, the most common complaint is slipping under load, where the engine revs but the truck does not pull the trailer the way it should. Drivers also mention harsh or late shifts, a flare in engine speed between gears, and the truck going into a limited mode that holds it in one gear to protect the transmission. Overheating is another one we hear about often, especially from owners who tow in the summer. On the eight-speed vehicles, owners tend to describe rough or clunky shifts at low speed, hesitation when pulling away, or a shift that feels delayed.
If you have noticed any of that, our pages on slipping, hard or jerky shifting, and overheating in the San Antonio heat explain each symptom in more detail.
Why it happens
For heavy-duty Rams, heat and load are the big ones. Towing, hauling, and added horsepower all make the transmission work harder and run hotter, and San Antonio summers add to it. Heat breaks down transmission fluid, and worn fluid does not protect the internal parts or hold pressure as well. Over time the parts that grip and hold each gear wear down and start to slip. The part inside that controls fluid pressure and directs each shift can also wear, which leads to harsh or erratic shifting. Electronic sensors and controls can play a role too, especially on the newer eight-speed vehicles.
Some of these causes are a fluid service or a smaller repair. Some call for a rebuild. A proper diagnosis is how you find out which one you have.
How we handle Dodge and Ram transmissions
You do not need to know which transmission you have before you call. At Sergeant Clutch Certified Engine and Transmission Repair Shop on Walzem Road on the Northeast Side of San Antonio, our certified mechanics start by finding the real cause. We check the fluid, scan for codes, and test how the transmission behaves under load, then explain in plain terms what is going on and what your choices are. Nothing gets done without your say so.
When a 68RFE needs a rebuild, we build it to last, and we can build it heavier duty or go with a Billet 68RFE if your truck tows or has extra power. For the eight-speed and other Dodge and Ram units, our mechanics diagnose and repair them like any other vehicle we see, and when replacement makes more sense, we install Jasper remanufactured transmissions. You will know the problem and the plan before we pick up a tool, and we stand behind the work with a limited parts and labor warranty.
Can you keep driving it
If your truck is slipping or overheating, the best thing to do is stop towing and stop adding miles until it is checked. Pulling a trailer on a transmission that is already slipping is the fastest way to turn a smaller repair into a larger one. If the problem is a mild shift you have only noticed once or twice, you can usually drive gently for now, but have it looked at soon. We offer free towing with your transmission service, so you do not need to risk the drive.
We serve San Antonio, Windcrest, Converse, Live Oak, Universal City, Randolph AFB and the whole Northeast Side from 6557 Walzem Rd., San Antonio, TX 78239, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
If your Dodge or Ram transmission is not acting right, the simplest move is to have it looked at now, and you are welcome to call Sergeant Clutch at (210) 239-1600 to set that up. Ask about our financing, with payment plans and no credit needed through Synchrony Car Care, Easy Pay Finance, and SNAP Finance, so you can get your truck back to work without the wait.
PAYMENT PLANS! NO CREDIT NEEDED*
