Caring for your car’s transmission: 15 tips
The transmission system is one of the most important components of your car. As the name suggests, it transfers power from your car’s engine to the tires. Without a transmission, your car won’t move.
Because it’s such an important and complex system, replacing a broken transmission can cost thousands of dollars. That’s not a bill you want to receive. Luckily, there are a lot of simple things you can do in your daily driving to extend the life of your transmission.
15 Transmission Care Tips
Keeping your transmission in good condition isn’t difficult. Good transmission care isn’t one big project, it’s made up of small tasks you can do every time you get behind the wheel. And the best part is, taking care of your transmission not only saves you money, but it also keeps you safer on the road. Here are some tips to keep your transmission working longer.
1. Pay attention to your gear oil
Transmission fluid is very important to the system because it lubricates the moving parts of the transmission while providing hydraulic pressure. Checking the condition of your oil is one of the easiest ways to determine if your transmission needs maintenance.
To check the oil, let your car idle, open the hood and pull out the dipstick. Wipe it clean, put it back in and make sure the oil level is where it should be. You should also check that the fluid is not dirty or dark.
2. Use the right type of transmission fluid
There are many types of engine oil, and so are transmission fluids. For example, automatic and manual transmissions require different fluids. Different brands and models of cars also have different requirements. You can find out what type of transmission oil your car needs in your owner’s manual. You can also take your car to a trusted repair shop and ask a technician to find the right oil for you.
3. Switch to Synthetic Oil
If your car uses conventional transmission fluid, consider switching to synthetic oil. Synthetic gear oils are much more resistant to heat, cold, oxidation, and shear, which will extend the life of your gears. Be sure to choose the right synthetic fluid. When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual or a friendly auto mechanic.
4. Keep your cooling system up and running
Excessive heat will eventually break down any transmission fluid, synthetic or not. Your car’s cooling system is responsible for controlling the temperature of the fluid. For this reason, you need to make sure your cooling system is always operating optimally. Have a technician check your radiator at least once a year.
5. Warm up your car in the winter
Like hot weather, freezing weather can also damage your transmission. When transmission fluid cools, it becomes more viscous, which can slow down the engagement of your gears and cause damage to your system.
In Northern Virginia’s cold winters, make sure to warm up your car for a few minutes before driving. It might also be a good idea to invest in a transmission heater for the winter months.
6. Get an aftermarket transmission oil filter.
All transmission systems have filters, but often they’re just a simple fine-mesh screen. Adding an outside filter helps trap dirt and particles that get through the original filter.
Cleaner transmission fluid will keep your system running better and longer. However, installing an external filter can be difficult, so we recommend that you ask a professional technician to do it for you.
7. Keep your foot off the brake pedal while driving
Many people prefer to keep their foot on the brake pedal while driving so that they can react more quickly. But it’s important not to do that.
Car brakes are sensitive and even light pressure can cause partial braking. This puts increased strain on the engine and transmission, causing unnecessary wear and tear.
8. Shift Properly
Needless to say, shifting gears incorrectly can damage your transmission. Owners of manual transmission vehicles especially need to learn how and when to engage the next gear.
But drivers of vehicles with automatic transmissions should also be careful. Always stop the vehicle when switching into park mode or shifting from forward to reverse or vice versa.
9. Use your parking brake
The parking brake is sometimes called the emergency brake, but it’s not just for emergencies. Always apply the parking brake when parking your car, especially if you’re parking on a hill.
When you’re not using the parking brake, the transmission does much of the work of keeping the car in place. This extra load naturally leads to wear and tear on the gearbox.
10. Don’t Accelerate Too Much
The faster you drive, the harder your transmission has to work. This is quite logical: if you press hard on the accelerator, your transmission will have a hard time keeping up with your speed.
Be kind to your car and accelerate slowly when setting off. Your transmission will thank you for your kindness, with less wear and a longer lifespan.
11. Use engine braking sparingly
Engine braking (taking your foot off the accelerator and slowing down using a lower gear) is a good way to protect your brakes. But it’s not a foolproof solution because it shifts the responsibility for slowing the car from the brakes to the transmission.
Excessive downshifting or engine braking can cause significant wear on transmission components. We’re not saying you should never use engine braking, but you shouldn’t do it all the time.
12. Don’t Be a Tow Truck Driver
If you have a large truck, your friends or family members may ask you to tow their car. It may be hard to say no, but you shouldn’t tow them unless you have no other choice. The extra weight of the vehicle being towed puts a lot of strain on everything from the engine to the brakes to the transmission. So, if it’s not a matter of life and death, consider hiring a tow truck service instead.
13. Don’t rely on your spare tire
If your tire gets flat, you can still use your spare wheel to get your car moving again. However, don’t leave your spare tire on and get a new one as soon as possible.
Spare tires are often smaller than regular tires, and that difference can cause wear on your transmission. Spare wheels are useful in emergencies, but they are not intended to replace regular tires.
14. Use Gear Additives
You can add additives to your transmission system, such as: B. Transmission Conditioners. These additives are useful for a variety of effects, such as: B. Maintaining the health of your seals or preventing leaks.
But be careful, because using the wrong additives can do more harm than good. Always consult a trusted auto mechanic before adding any strange fluid to your transmission.
15. Check your transmission regularly
Above all, regular transmission inspections keep your car in tip-top condition. Your owner’s manual should specify how often you need to bring your car in for transmission service. As a rule of thumb, however, automatic transmissions should be serviced every 15,000 miles, or once a year. Although manual transmissions may go a long way without maintenance, an annual inspection is still a good idea.
