Get The Most From Your Transmission With Proper Maintenance
Posted on: 16 October 2014
Your vehicle's transmission is one of the most important parts of your entire vehicle. After all, even with the most powerful engine in place, your vehicle will not be able to move a single inch if your transmission is not functioning properly. This is because your transmission is responsible for turning all the power that your engine produces into the torque necessary to propel your vehicle. Like most of the mechanical aspects of your vehicle, if you wish to ensure your transmission is able to stand up to the test of time, you will need to address both the short term and long term maintenance requirements of this auto part.
Maintaining Your Transmission In The Short Term
In the short term, the most important part of keeping your transmission running is to ensure it has the proper amount of transmission fluid at all time. This is because in the absence of transmission fluid, the gears inside your transmission will experience too much friction and will quickly begin to seize. On the other hand, if these gears are exposed to too much fluid, they will be unable to maintain grip and your transmission may begin to slip.
The best way to ensure your transmission always has the proper amount of fluid is to check this fluid level each time you have your oil changed and adding more transmission fluid when necessary. While this task is easy enough for anyone to perform on a do-it-yourself basis, most mechanics will perform this task for you at no charge when completing your oil change if you simply ask them.
Maintaining Your Transmission In The Long Term
Over time, the fluid and filter inside your transmission will become dirty and need to be replaced. The process that is used to complete this task is known as a transmission flush. While maintenance schedules can vary slightly from one vehicle to another, most people will find that this service is recommended after their vehicle reaches 100,000 miles, and again after each subsequent 50,000 miles.
During a transmission flush, your mechanic will drain all of the existing fluid from your transmission, flush your transmission with a cleaning agent, remove your old filter, and replace both your fluid and filter with new products. A failure to complete this task can cause the dirt and debris in your transmission fluid to begin building up on the gears and other surfaces inside your transmission. When this happens, the risk of your transmission seizing will increase significantly.
In Conclusion
The better you care for your transmission, the less likely this part will be to fail. In fact, many vehicle owners find that with proper maintenance, their original transmission is able to remain functional throughout the entire life of their vehicle. If you wish to enjoy this same result, be sure to contact a qualified transmission shop in your local area to have your transmission professionally serviced when the time is right.
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