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Top 3 Pro Tips To Keep Your Car’s Transmission Up And Running and Smoothly Changing Gears

16th Oct 2020

The transmission is an integral partner to your vehicle’s engine, and there are several precautions that can be taken to ensure the optimal operation of the vehicle. The transmission communicates with the engine and allows the vehicle to shift gears. Forward, Reverse, and varying gears allow for movement as well as slower or faster driving speeds. It is essential that we take care of the transmission system to avoid any hiccups and avoid expensive repairs. Repairing a transmission is a labor-intensive job for a skilled technician and requires several shop hours to repair. A technician checks out all components from shift linkage cable to transmission lever since any component could get damaged without proper maintenance and care. Here we have discussed three tips for keeping your car’s transmission up and running.

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Check the fluid

Low levels of fluid or dirty transmission fluid is the primary cause of most transmission problems. Internal Mechanical metal parts without adequate lubrication create friction, and friction of metal against metal produces micro parts of debris and even metal shavings that then contaminate the transmission fluid. Old fluid or too little fluid allows more of this debris to then move around and often can be siphoned into the engine. There are some vehicles that have a transmission dip stick much like that of the oil dip stick and as such it’s easier for a driver to check fluid health of their vehicle. However, more and more vehicles come with a sealed transmission and therefore the fluid cannot be checked by the dipstick method. For those vehicles with a dipstick it’s a simple process to take the dipstick out, wipe it clean, put it back in, wait for a moment, and then take it out to measure the amount of the fluid that shows on the markings on end of the dipstick. Fresh transmission fluid is translucent and feels slick when rubbed between fingers; however, dark, gritty or burnt smelling transmission fluid indicates a possible transmission service or in some cases something more dire. Your owner’s manual will indicate the proper amount needed for your transmission fluid. Be sure not to over fill! And be safe with transmission fluid if you have pets – it has a sweet smell and is highly poisonous.

Abusive Driving

Abusive driving involves a myriad of factors, but it applies to repeated and hard gear changes in the transmission case. The transmission fluid overheats when a driver constantly changes gear, which causes extreme heat which then causes the transmission fluid to lose its lubricating properties. As mentioned before, keeping your transmission and engine parts properly lubricated reduces wear, internal damage and extends the life of your vehicle. A common scenario for those drivers who love mud bogging in their 4WD vehicle and become un-stuck by a rapid succession of changing gears from forward to reverse – commonly known as rocking. This process can potentially cause transmission damage as well as axle damage. Constant changing of gear while your car is stuck or constrained can also damage the shifter linkage of the transmission system. Best advice is to winch the vehicle out by use of another vehicle, or a vehicle mounted winch, or in some cases an emergency call to a tow service.

Preventive Maintenance

Most vehicles owner’s manual will indicate recommended intervals for regular Transmission Services. A trained professional will test the transmission for leakage, compression, and will also evaluate the amount, color, and smell of the transmission fluid.

Second, as your vehicle and transmission age treat it more gently. Many drivers allow their vehicles a few moments of running time prior to driving; just an added precaution that all parts are lubricated before driving.

Whether you own an American made vehicle, or an imported vehicle at BushingFix.com™ we provide shift cable bushing repair kits for a variety of vehicles, so you do not need to look further than our website for help. In addition to providing kits for most automatic and many manual transmissions we also provide a step by step installation video for each of our products. Check out our website for products and our easy to order online form.