An automobile is a complex machine made up of numerous parts and systems; when some parts fail, your car may still start and repair costs can be minimal. But if your engine or transmission fail, you will be left without a working vehicle, as both of these parts are essential for a car to run properly. Transmission repairs can be very costly, and having to replace your whole transmission can be even more expensive. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to help prevent transmission failure. Use the following tips to maintain your transmission and keep it in good condition:
1. Closely Monitor the Fluid Levels
Just like the engine needs oil to work properly, your transmission needs transmission fluid for lubrication and cooling, and to help operate the clutches. If the transmission fluid level in your car becomes low, your transmission will suffer, and a lack of fluid can cause the transmission to fail. Checking the transmission fluid is a simple task that almost anyone can do themselves; most makes and models of cars and trucks have a dipstick in the transmission fluid reservoir, so you can quickly determine if there is not enough fluid. If you notice that the fluid level is alarmingly low, take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for service.
2. Don't Ignore Small Transmission Problems
Most transmissions don't just fail overnight. Transmission problems almost always start out small---you may notice that shifting gears is a little rougher, or your car may shudder when you go from park to reverse. These small problems won't keep your car from running, but ignoring them can eventually lead to a very expensive transmission repair as the small problems become huge problems over time. No one likes to spend their free time getting their vehicle repaired, but taking your car in to have the transmission problems checked out when they first start can save you a substantial amount of money.
3. Follow Your Vehicle's Transmission Service Schedule
Many people are very good at making sure that the oil in their vehicle is changed on a regular basis, but they may forget about important transmission services that can extend the life of your vehicle's transmission, while also preventing damages. A full transmission service includes draining the old, dirty transmission fluid, replacing the filter, and replacing the old transmission fluid with new fluid. Each make and model is different, so the best way to ensure that you are servicing your transmission properly is to follow the maintenance schedule that can be found in your car's owners manual.
Contact an auto repair service like Gwizz Auto Group for more information.
Share18 March 2015
About six months ago, I could tell that our car was really starting to have some problems. It was always acting up, it never seemed to run well, and I was always worried about it not starting up when it needed to. One day, I got stranded on the side of the road when I was on my way to work, and I realized that I needed to find a new car immediately. I took the day off to look for a new car, and I learned a lot about automotive shopping during the process. Check out this blog for more information about finding a great car.