Is it true that you should never perform a transmission reset procedure?
3 Answers
It is incorrect to say that you should never perform a transmission reset procedure. After a transmission reset, issues such as increased fuel consumption and gear shift jerks may occur, but these will improve over time as the transmission's computer has a learning function. There are three common types of automatic transmissions found in vehicles: dual-clutch transmissions, conventional transmissions, and CVT transmissions. A transmission is a mechanical or hydraulic device that converts mechanical power, enabling operations such as starting, idling, low or high-speed driving, acceleration, deceleration, climbing, and reversing. This requires the vehicle's driving force and speed to vary over a considerable range. Currently, widely used piston engines have a relatively narrow range of output torque and speed variations. To adapt to frequently changing driving conditions and ensure the engine operates under favorable conditions (higher power and lower fuel consumption), a transmission is installed in the drivetrain.
I used to drive an old car, and the gear shifting was always jerky. After watching online tutorials suggesting that resetting the transmission could fix the issue, I tried disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. Unexpectedly, the problem worsened after the reset—shifting became as slow as a snail, and acceleration wasn't smooth either. The mechanic explained that the transmission has a self-learning function, and clearing those adaptive values forces it to relearn from scratch, which can cause delays or jerks during the process. Using simple tools to DIY can easily lead to parameter confusion or even trigger fault codes, making repairs costly and time-consuming. He advised against tinkering casually, especially if you're not familiar with electronic systems, as the risks are too high. If you're experiencing shifting issues, it's best to consult a professional technician for diagnosis to ensure safe and stable driving. After all, the transmission is the core component of a vehicle, and it's not something to take lightly.
As someone who frequently deals with cars, I believe that transmission reset is not absolutely forbidden, but it should be approached with caution. It clears the learned values to restore factory settings, but the transmission normally adapts to driving habits. After a reset, the learning process restarts, which may initially result in less smooth gear shifts or increased fuel consumption. Blindly performing operations such as disconnecting the battery or improperly using a scanner can trigger error codes or cause mismatches, potentially damaging the electronic controls. It's best to consider a reset only when clear symptoms, such as delayed gear shifts, are present, and to perform the operation after diagnosis with professional tools. DIY attempts carry high risks and may lead to complicated repairs.
