Yes, the automatic transmission is infinitely easier to drive than a manual transmission, and yes, it seemingly requires no maintenance or care….seemingly.
There are some common mistakes made by many drivers of automatic transmissions that should be avoided at all cost, and cost is the key word in this discussion. Similarly, there are some things that should be done that are vital to the life of your transmission.
Let’s face it, nothing strikes fear in the heart of a driver like the words “transmission trouble.” That’s because, for the average car owner, the expense of having a transmission rebuilt, or of buying a new transmission, is exorbitant and beyond the budget of most drivers. So wouldn’t it make sense to do the simple things that can prolong the life of that important piece of machinery? Of course it would!
Follow these simple suggestions and you’ll get quite a few more miles out of your transmission.
- Always make sure you vehicle is stationary before shifting into reverse or drive. Very few things will wear a transmission out like shifting into reverse or drive while moving.
- When your car is stationary, like at a stop light, put your transmission in neutral. Why? Because even though you are sitting still, power is still being sent to the wheels and that is, in turn, wearing down your transmission.
- Check the transmission fluid level ever three months. Transmission fluid keeps the parts of your transmission running smoothly; when the fluid is low or missing then metal rubs against metal and it takes very little time for it to fail completely.
- Install, or have one installed, an external automatic transmission filter to keep your fluid clean and protect your important hard parts. This is just added precaution so that microscopic pieces of debris do not get into your transmission fluid.
- Change your transmission fluid once a year. The reasons should be obvious.
- Only use high-quality transmission fluid and additive, one recommended for your particular vehicle. These are specialized pieces of equipment and the fluids are designed specifically for your transmission. Considering the cost of the fluid is minimal, don’t you think it worth using according to the instructions?
- Replace the internal transmission fluid filter every two years. Again, the reasons should be obvious: the more particles of debris that you keep out of the fluid and your transmission the better.
- If stuck in mud or snow or ice, never rock back and forth between drive and reverse….never! You can literally burn out a transmission in a matter of minutes by doing this. Pay $50 to have the car towed rather than paying thousands for a new transmission.
Simple maintenance for sure but oh such a great investment.
The pros at PDQ transmission parts are here to help should you need us. We have decades of experience and know-how at the ready.
