In terms of importance, your vehicle's transmission ranks right up there with the engine. If your transmission breaks down, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 and $8,000 to replace it. Because of this, it's vital that you do everything in your power to preserve the life of your transmission for as long as possible. Use these tips to learn some preventative measures you can take to make sure that your transmission doesn't go out prematurely.
Your Driving Habits Make a Difference
Practicing bad driving habits is one of the quickest ways to ruin a transmission. The bad habits that are hurting your transmission can be hard to catch, because if you're like most people, driving is largely an automatic activity for you. Therefore you may not be aware that the incorrect driving maneuvers which are so natural for you are slowly breaking down your transmission.
For example, you may be the kind of driver who rarely, if ever, uses the parking brake. However, if you regularly park on hills, you should change this habit as soon as possible. When you park at an incline and fail to lift your parking brake, your transmission is forced to assume the full brunt of the weight of your vehicle in order to keep it from rolling down the hill.
In addition, you should always make sure that you maintain a safe driving distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This is critical so that you can avoid frequent hard stops that can damage your transmission and drivetrain if repeated consistently over time.
Always Preheat Your Car In Cold Weather
Another way to get the maximum wear out of your transmission is to always preheat your car when the weather is cold. The oil and transmission liquid in your car settle when the vehicle is in one place for an extended period of time. When it's cold outside, some of the liquids may have even begun to freeze, meaning that the car may require some heat to melt any ice so that the moving parts can be lubricated. Starting your car just a few minutes earlier so that you'll have time to warm it up can be an important way for you to preserve your car's transmission.
Making a few changes can help you keep your transmission working properly for the long haul. Start using these tips right away so you can enjoy a functioning transmission that lasts. If you do need to get your transmission inspected or replaced, consider contact a representative from Karry's Automotive Service Center to set up an appointment.
Share17 June 2015
Understanding more about the type of car that you have can help you understand the best ways to maintain it, and how to tell if there’s trouble brewing under the hood before you end up stranded. That’s why, when I found a car make that I liked, I kept going back to it every time I bought a new car. It’s also why I use a mechanic that specializes in repairing and maintaining cars made by my specific manufacturer type. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about what makes this particular car work, and what kind of quirks come with this type of vehicle. I started this blog to share some of that information and help other car owners learn to effectively maintain their automobiles and recognize the potential signs of trouble.
