Tips For Maintaining Your Vehicle's Transmission

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Having the transmission go on your vehicle can be just as bad as having the engine seize. You can't operate the auto without a working transmission, and it is not going to be a cheap fix. However, if you take the time to properly maintain it, you should not have to worry about this part for as long as you own it. Here are a few tips to help you keep this important part of your vehicle in good working condition.

Shifting

In a manual transmission, it is important to shift to a higher gear before the RPMs get too high. when you hear the engine winding up, make sure you shift gears. When you are going up a hill, you may need to downshift to ensure the car stays in the best gear for the situation. It is also important that you are not grinding gears when changing them. Take the time to learn your vehicle's clutch before heading out to the highway. Remember that each clutch will be different from others, some might engage easily while others will require you push the pedal all the way to the floor.

If you have an automatic transmission, remember you may still need to change gears from time to time. This is usually due to a steep incline or any other situation in which your car seems to be struggling. To manually downshift an automatic transmission you will need to decelerate by easing up on the gas until you get to the normal speed for the lower gear, then simply move the lever to the lower gear. Make sure you wait until you are at the proper speed or you can damage the transmission.

Fluid

Make sure you check the transmission fluid level regularly. Any time you notice it is low, be sure to add more. In addition, if the fluid looks dark in color instead of reddish, or has a burnt smell, it is time to take it in to have the transmission serviced. 

The good news is that most vehicles come with an extensive warranty for the transmission. Be sure to check it over before taking the auto to be worked on. This will let you know what you can have done at no cost and will also give the transmission repair shop the information it needs to know who to charge for the different work being done. While you may have to pay for some of it, quite a bit of it should be covered.

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