What began as a hobby when he was a teenager eventually turned into a career for David Vega. 

A master certified, GM trained technician and transmission specialist with 35-plus years experience, Vega opened Slipping Gears Garage in Powell late last month.

“As a child I was always mechanically inclined, and was interested in taking things apart and putting them back together,” he said. “The more complicated they were, the more I was interested, so by the time I reached age 15, I was actually tearing down transmissions and trying to put them back together.

“To this day, I still enjoy working on transmissions — automatics or standards. It’s just something I really like to do. I never lose interest in it.”

Vega spent his early years in Powell before he moved to Denver when he was 10. After graduating from high school there, he attended Northwest College for two years before returning to Denver to go to automotive and diesel school. 

“I actually went to school because I wanted to build automatic transmissions,” he said.

He started his career in Denver as an auto mechanic focused on routine maintenance and repair. Vega then moved to a transmission shop, where he spent the next 15 years. From minor part replacement to complete disassembly and rebuild, he learned it all. Vega also took classes to stay up on changing technology and software.  

“As a technician, I’m not just a mechanic, I have to be an IT guy,” he said. “Nowadays cars have over 200 computers in them. Everybody’s late-model (newer) car is kind of like a computer.” 

Starting in 2014, Vega began working at the GM dealership in Denver, becoming a transmission specialist for GM vehicles while also doing engine repairs and overhauls. 

“I learned a lot of stuff in the dealership, especially with all the late-model vehicles and the technology that’s been incorporated into the vehicles themselves,” he said.

After 10 years at the GM dealership, Vega wanted a change. So he and his wife decided to move to Powell with the goal of opening his own transmission shop in town. 

“We wanted to get out of that rat race,” he said. “As a production mechanic in Denver I worked on probably 10 to 15 cars a day and as I got older I decided I needed to slow down a little bit.”

It took some time, but Slipping Gears Garage is now open for business. The shop is located at 915 E. Washington Street in Powell. 

Slipping Gears is the only specialized transmission shop in northern Wyoming, Vega said, with the next closest in Billings. He can help with any type of transmission, but Vega’s favorite brand to work on is GM, and not just because he worked for the dealership for so long. 

“I love those because they’re just a better design,” he said. 

Common transmission problems include slipping gears, delayed or rough shifting, strange noises like whining or grinding, a burning smell and visible fluid leaks. These issues can be caused by low or dirty transmission fluid, a failing torque converter, worn-out clutches or other internal component failures. 

Vega said that while driving habits, vehicle loads and other variables play a part, most of the issues come down to the software. 

“They’ve never really perfected it, so the software doesn’t allow the transmission to operate to its fullest,” he said. “I’ve come across this many times in all makes and models.” 

An example, he added, is the lockup system in the torque converter being told by the software to come on too early can cause the transmission to overheat. Once the transmission overheats, it fails, causing friction plates to burn and steel plates to overheat.

“Figuring stuff out like that is intriguing,” he added. “I can program it so that the transmission will actually last 100,000 miles versus 50,000 to 60,000 miles before it fails.”

Transmission fluids also have evolved over the years to keep pace with advancements in technology. Vega said transmission fluid has changed significantly, with older model vehicles with automatic transmissions using Dexron III to handle increased friction and torque. Today’s fluids are highly specialized synthetic-based formulas with additives that keep the transmission operating to its full extent.

Maintenance is critical to keeping the transmission running smoothly. Most manufacturers recommend transmission maintenance every 30,000 to 100,000 miles for your average daily driver. Depending on what the vehicle is used for though, the amount of times recommended between services changes. 

“If it’s a work truck, the transmission should be serviced once a year,” he said. “Manufacturers don’t tell you that. They tell you that the fluid is lifetime, but that’s under normal conditions, When you’re using a vehicle and pulling something heavy all the time the fluid is more likely to break down sooner.”

For help with your transmission issues call (307) 428-9046 to schedule an appointment.