Each time you accelerate the transmission is key to moving your vehicle. Fuel is sent into the engine where it’s combusted. That power is then transformed into torque and sent out to the drive wheels by your transmission. Not only is the transmission essential to keep your car on the road, but it’s also often costly to repair. Together, these two factors are reason enough to extend the life of your transmission as much as possible. There are a few simple ways you can help keep your transmission operating efficiently and prevent avoidable wear or damage over the years.
1. Maintain Healthy Transmission Fluid
One of the most important aspects of your transmission to maintain is the fluid. Whether you drive an automatic or a manual transmission vehicle, this fluid is essential to keep moving components in the system lubricated. Not only does this help prevent excess wear and tear, but it also limits how much heat is generated in the system from friction, helping to prevent overheating. In automatic transmissions, it’s also key to full, easy gear engagement by pressurizing the system and flowing where needed.
Your transmission fluid must be replaced at regular intervals. For manual transmissions, this interval is roughly every 30,000-60,000 miles. If you drive an automatic transmission vehicle, that interval extends to roughly every 60,000-100,000 miles. However, always check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your vehicle from the manufacturer. Regular transmission fluid services help ensure there’s always adequate fluid in the system and it doesn’t become thickened from over-contamination.
2. Keep Your Car’s Cooling System Working Efficiently
Extending the life of your transmission comes down to more than just the health of one system. One of the most important ways to keep both the transmission and engine healthy in your vehicle is to maintain the cooling system. Coolant and the radiator help moderate internal engine temperature, which in turn helps prevent transmission damage while driving. Overheating is one of the most common causes of major transmission trouble and your cooling system is the first line of defense against too-high operating temperatures.
At home, you can check the level and condition of your coolant. Be sure your car is cooled, rather than popping the hood as soon as you park. This not only makes is safe for you to work under the hood of your car, but it also helps ensure coolant has made its way back into the reservoir for an accurate reading. A trusted mechanic should also regularly inspect your cooling system to help catch issues like a faulty or leaky radiator before they escalate.
3. Nip Overheating in the Bud
Though transmission failure is not common, it is costly to repair — and is commonly caused by overheating. Even when it doesn’t result in failure, an overheating engine or transmission will suffer increased wear and damage to internal components, shortening its lifespan. The underlying cause of an overheating transmission could be low or over-contaminated fluid, faulty solenoids, or leaks in the system — and once the system is overheating, it can easily escalate. At the earliest signs of overheating — such as difficulty shifting, a burning smell, or high engine temperature — it’s important to have a mechanic do an inspection and handle any services necessary.
4. Practice Good Driving Habits
Believe it or not, your driving habits play just as big of a role in keeping your transmission healthy as maintenance services do. Frequent stop-and-go traffic, towing heavy loads, or aggressive acceleration can all increase wear and tear on your transmission, gradually shortening its lifespan. Follow these few driving habit tips to help extend the life of your transmission:
- In the winter, take it easy with speed and acceleration until your car has fully warmed up. This will help both engine and transmission health, as it allows those fluids to warm up and flow more easily before you drive with full power.
- Though some vehicles are built to tow heavy loads, always stay within the recommended range from your manufacturer — and the less weight your car carries, the less wear on your transmission’s internal parts.
- Avoid aggressive acceleration, especially in stop-and-go city traffic. Though you can’t always avoid driving in the city, driving with a lead foot is hard on both the engine and transmission, speeding up wear and tear of important components.
5. Schedule Repairs at the First Sign of Trouble
When you notice signs of transmission trouble, don’t procrastinate. The earlier you catch issues, the less likely you are to deal with more serious repairs — and the less extensive wear and tear will likely be inside the system. Early signs of transmission problems include hesitation during acceleration, delayed gear engagement, strange sounds during gear shifts, and fluid drips under your car. As soon as you notice any of these signs, have a trusted mechanic inspect your vehicle for necessary repairs.
AAMCO: The Key to Longevity for Your Car’s Transmission
There’s no one better to trust with your next service than the Chicagoland transmission experts at your local AAMCO. When it’s time for a transmission repair, you need someone who knows the ins and outs of how the system works and which issues various symptoms point to. At AAMCO, our mechanics are equipped with the best diagnostic tools, thorough knowledge and training, and extensive hands-on experience — both you and your vehicle are in good hands. Schedule your appointment with us today!
