3 Driving Mistakes That Will Shorten the Life of Your Vehicle's Transmission
The transmission is one of the most critical systems in every vehicle. If you take care of it, you'll enjoy a problem-free car, and roadside emergencies will be a thing of the past. However, if you don't take care of the transmission, your car can be rendered motionless, and you will end up looking for a taxi or walking. That's why you need to be familiar with some of the common driving mistakes that can cause problems with your transmission. Having this understanding will give you the upper hand so that you can properly maintain the system and prolong its lifespan.
Below are some of the common mistakes that you should avoid if you want to prolong the life of your car's transmission system.
Failing to check the transmission fluid
The transmission fluid lubricates internal components, provides the required pressure to the hydraulics and cools down the system as your drive. If your vehicle is low on fluid, it means that the transmission system will not perform efficiently. Prolonged use of the car without adequate transmission fluid will cause the system to run overtime. The result will be overheating and premature wear of components as they grind against each other. Get your transmission fluid checked and topped up regularly to maintain optimal operation.
Ignoring obvious sounds
The beauty of having a vehicle is that problems rarely sneak up on you. Before the car breaks down by the roadside, it will have given you some warning signs. This is the same case with your transmission. Unusual shaking, grinding, and hissing noises coming from the vehicle should warn you that the transmission or another part requires attention. Also, if you see some reddish fluid spilled where you parked your car, the transmission fluid may be leaking. Treat these signs as an emergency when you notice them, and have your vehicle checked by a professional.
Ignoring the servicing schedule
Your vehicle has a monthly, bi-annual and annual service schedule that you should adhere to if you want to prolong the life of the vehicle components. For example, you should change the transmission fluid every month, look for leaks, get gearbox repairs if needed, get rid of contaminants in the system and test for unusual sounds in the vehicle. Also, you should service the entire transmission system after one or two years depending on the mileage. Failure to do this can cause the system to shut down, and it may be too late to repair it.
Avoid these mistakes if you want your vehicle's transmission to serve you for an extended period. Also, adhere to the servicing schedule for other systems as well to avoid regular car breakdowns.