The transmission of a car eventually wears out. It is an undeniable fact. However, by taking proper care of it, you can make it last longer. Regular maintenance by changing the transmission fluid as per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended time intervals is one of the many to maintain your car’s transmission in good condition. The transmission transfers power from the engine to other parts of the car such as axels, wheels and driveshafts.
Ensuring Your Transmission Lasts Longer
Below is the list of actions you can take to ensure that your transmission lasts longer.
Regular Maintenance & Changing Transmission Fluid Frequently:
Usually, vehicle manufacturers recommend that car owner should change their transmission fluid after driving 15,000 miles. In certain cases, you may have to change it much more often than that. If you are driving on hilly terrain, on a gravel road or frequently tow, you may need to change the transmission fluid much earlier than that.
Also, you should get your car inspected every year for transmission by certified personnel. They will check the smell and color of the transmission to understand whether it needs to be changed or not. Causes of the bad smell could be overheating. Shavings from the clutch of the vehicle could cause clogs within the valve body of the transmission.
Drive The Vehicle in the Right Gear:
Irrespective of whether you have a manual or an automatic car, make sure to keep changing the gears while driving. If you are putting your car in drive gear for an automatic vehicle, you need not worry much. But some drivers like to manually shift their automatic transmission. Make sure that you remember to shift the transmission at the correct RPM.
In case you are driving a manual vehicle, make sure you change the gears as you speed up. Always driving in just one gear will cause wear and tear in the most used gear compared to other gears.
Check the Transmission Fluid Levels:
You can check the transmission fluid levels of your automatic vehicle yourself. Check the level of fluid when it is warm. Check for any smell when the transmission fluid is either warm or cold. When the transmission fluid is warm, it is much easier to notice as the smell is really bad.
Manual cars do not have a dipstick and therefore, it is difficult for manual car owners to check the transmission fluid level. Ideally, you should an expert check the transmission fluid of your car, once a year.
Completely Stop Your Vehicle Before Changing Gears:
When you are changing gears, make sure your car is at a complete halt, especially while reversing or going forward. Rushing to shift your gear before you stop your car makes cause wear out your clutches much sooner than you would anticipate.
Use the Right Transmission Fluid:
While putting in the new transmission fluid, make sure that you use the transmission fluid that is recommended specifically for your vehicle. You can check the owner’s manual book to know which is the right transmission fluid for your vehicle. If unsure, contact an expert to find out the right type of transmission fluid for your car.
Warm Your Car Before Driving it:
Before you change gears, make sure to leave the engine on for a few minutes, especially in the winter season. The cold weather makes the oil thick and makes it harder to pass through the engine and transmission. By keeping the engine on for some time, the oil thins out and your car’s engine and transmission start functioning smoothly.
Don’t Keep Your Foot On The Brake:
Some drivers have a habit of resting their feet on the brake. Resting the foot on the brake leads to pressure and stress on the engine & transmission. This can cause the transmission to wear out much faster.
Use the Parking Brake at Hill:
Set the brake on parking while you are parking on a hill. This will reduce the pressure off the parking linkage and also be a safety feature. In case your transmission pops out of gear, the parking gear will keep your car stable at the hill and stop it from rolling down the hill.
Keep An Eye for Check Engine Light:
Engine and transmission work together. This means that if the engine has to work harder, your transmission is going to work harder as well. Ensure to maintain your vehicle at regular intervals for tune-ups, oil changes, and other maintenance items.
Conclusion
By doing the above-recommended activities, you can ensure that the lifespan of your transmission increases. But one day, due to wear and tear, it will be damaged and may cause bigger problems for you. In such a scenario, if you would like to get your transmission replaced, visit our shop here and place your order in no time.
