Most car owners who are concerned about the overall health and performance of their rides will remember to change the engine oil and oil filters, rotate tires, and to up the coolant as expected. However, taking care of the transmission system is something that may never cross their minds.
Typically, the engine gets all the glory and care that it deserves, but you need to keep in mind that it is the transmission and drive train that make your vehicle move. Therefore, you need to take good care of it to prevent any major problems down the road.
After all, when you have put a lot of mileage on your car, it is your transmission that will develop problems first. Here are some tips to help you take care of your car’s transmission system.
Use the Right Type of Transmission Fluid
The type of transmission fluid that you use will have a significant impact on the lifespan and performance of your car’s transmission system. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that you use the right type of transmission fluid to avoid breakdown problems down the road.
Make sure that you consult your car’s owner manual to determine what type of transmission fluid you are supposed to use. If you are still unsure of the right type of transmission fluid to use even after consulting your owner’s manual, pop into Car Smart and let a professional help you.
Stop Before Shifting Gears
This is particularly important for automatic transmission systems. Unlike their manual counterparts where you can shift gears whenever you feel like, things are different when it comes to automatic transmission systems.
To avoid inducing unnecessary strain on your car’s automatic transmission system, which could lead to costly problems, ensure that you stop your vehicle completely before shifting gears. By doing so, you are taking care of your transmission system and avoiding unnecessary tear and wear.
Service Your Vehicle’s Cooling System
The primary purpose of your car’s cooling system is to prevent it from overheating. However, apart from that function, it also ensures that the transmission fluid pumping through your gearbox is cooled and in good condition. Therefore, it is always good to ensure that your car’s cooling system is in optimal condition all the time.
Allow Your Car to Warm for a Few Minutes Before You Drive Away
Sometimes, you could be in a hurry such that you just jump into the driver’s seat, start the engine and drive away but this habit isn’t good for the health of your car’s transmission system. It is recommended that you allow your car engine a few minutes to warm before shifting to drive mode and speeding away.
Change the Transmission Filter Regularly
Most automatic transmission systems do have a filter that needs to be changed quite regularly. Whether or not your car has a transmission filter depends on the car’s make and model. However, most of the newer car models don’t have this filter.
Make sure that you confirm whether your car has a transmission filter and if it does, you should consider changing it regularly. If your vehicle doesn’t have one, you should get your transmission system flushed regularly.