It isn’t secret that transmission repairs can be expensive regardless of vehicle type and age. In addition, you can’t drive your vehicle if the transmission isn’t working as it should.
It’s an essential system in your car that changes gear at different speeds. Since it’s the necessary part of your vehicle, you need to ensure that it runs well at all times.
But how to maintain your car’s transmission?
It is one of the questions that bother the vehicle owners the most. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Here are a few tips and tricks that you can follow to extend the life of your transmission.
Transmission Maintenance
Before learning the tips and tricks, let’s briefly discuss pointers that help maintain your car’s transmission.
Automatic Transmission
If you own an automatic vehicle, you need to stay alert, as maintaining the automatic transmission can be complex. It comes with plenty of moving components, including electronic and hydraulic systems.
Moreover, your driving style doesn’t have to do anything with the health of automatic transmission. But it’s best to prevent taxing your transmission when you can.
It’s essential to know that heat isn’t suitable for automatic transmission. And when you notice your transmission “slipping,” you need to get it serviced at the earliest to avoid further damage.
Slipping is when your vehicle doesn’t hold a gear or searching for gears. To avoid further damages, find an automatic transmission near me, and get it fixed right away.
Manual Transmission
Vehicle owners with manual transmission don’t need to stress over maintaining the transmission because manual transmission is simple than automatic transmission.
In a manual transmission, problems occur due to the negligence of a driver. For example, mashing gears when shifting or not engaging the clutch in the right way.
Like automatic transmission, manual cars don’t need a lot of fluid changing. Therefore, it can be done for less than $100. Moreover, the repair cost for manual transmission is affordable as compared to automatic transmissions.
Tips to Keep a Car’s Transmission in the Best Condition
A professional mechanic is a suitable person to help you maintain the car’s transmission. However, there are a few things that you can practice to keep your transmission up and running.
Watch your Engine’s Temperature
It’s a general concept that the heat isn’t good for the longevity of your car. However, regardless of the climate or weather, it also depends on how well your vehicle’s cooling system is running.
If your cooling system is working overtime, maybe you need to get it inspected. When the engine gets warmer than usual, it can lead to additional wear and tear on your transmission, elevating transmission repair costs.
Keep an Eye on Transmission Fluid
Checking fluid on some vehicles is simple and similar to checking the oil – engine idling, taking out the dipstick, wiping it, inserting it again, waiting, and pulling it out to get the reading.
If you find the fluid levels low, there are chances of a lead. Also, keep an eye on the fluid; it needs to be bright red and clear. It needs to smell sweet.
If you find it murky and dark in color, you need to get it checked by a transmission specialist.
Invest in the Right Transmission Fluid
Use your vehicle’s manual to learn the type of fluid you need to use. Then, if you’re still skeptical, it’s best to seek assistance from an expert and get the right fluid for your transmission.
Get Engine’s Cooling System Serviced
Apart from protecting your vehicle’s from overheating, the engine’s cooling system ensures that transmission fluid running through the gearbox is cooled.
You need to opt for transmission repair before the engine gets overheated. Ensure that your cooling system stays in good condition.
Warm Up Your Car Before Driving
Don’t hop in your car; start the engine, put the car in drive, and run. Instead, enable your engine to warm up for a few minutes before you begin driving. You need to practice it more often during the winter season.
Get Regular Transmission Flushes
It’s best to leave changing of the transmission fluid to a professional. You can get your transmission flushed once a year. However, the transmission fluid’s life will depend on your car’s operating temperature and the amount of driving.
Avoid Driving on a Spare Tire
If you’re used to driving on a spare tire for an extended time, you need to stop doing that. Likewise, driving with a mismatched tire or small tire is also a bad idea.
It will damage your car. For example, it will ruin the wheel alignment and put unnecessary strain on your transmission.
Stop Using your Car for Towing
You need to avoid towing your vehicle, especially in hot temperatures. If you continue to do so, it will cause transmission fluid to oxidize or burn. Not only this, towing can severely damage your transmission.
Change Gears Carefully
No doubt, a car’s transmission is a delicate component. For example, you can damage your gearbox if you keep changing the gears in the wrong way.
For example, if you mistakenly shift the car into reverse while you’re still driving or try to park your car before it gets stop completely.
These actions can put extra wear and tear onto your transmission over time and could contribute to a mechanical failure, which you don’t want.
Replace the Transmission Filter
Some automatic vehicles come with a transmission filter to catch excess fluid and regular fluid pressure. Although these filters aren’t present on all automatic transmission vehicles, if your car has one, ensure to replace it regularly.
Final Thoughts
There’s no denying that a vehicle repair mechanic can inspect and detect the underlying transmission problems. Be it a manual or automatic transmission, and it’s best to follow the tips mentioned to identify a minor issue before it transforms into a major one. As a vehicle owner, you need to establish a regular annual inspection and transmission check to keep your car in good condition.