Automatic transmissions make things a lot simpler than manual transmissions for a great many drivers, but don’t let that lull you into complacency when it comes to maintaining your system. Any transmission system needs to be maintained, and because automatic transmissions quite often take significantly more wear and tear than manual, it’s important to keep an eye out for problems.
In this article, we’ll take a look at a few things you can do to take care of your automatic transmission. Ultimately, any transmission will need maintenance, particularly new fluid, but if you keep these tips in mind you can expect to save yourself a lot of trouble and money from an expensive repair down the road.
Look Out for Leaks
This is a big one, and it often seems to affect automatic transmissions more than manual. If your transmission fluid is leaking, you’ll need to get the hole fixed. Keep an eye out for leaked fluid in your parking space at work, as well as on your driveway.
You can also check to see if your fluid is low by looking at the dipstick, ideally when the engine is warm. If your fluid is low, you definitely have a leak. Transmission fluid is not like oil in this regard; whereas oil is depleted in the normal course of running your engine, transmission fluid is not, so low transmission fluid means there is a leak.
Don’t Get Too Hot
This one applies not only to transmission fluid but also to oil level. Make sure your automatic transmission stays properly lubricated, because too much heat is nothing but trouble for your car and can lead to a need for some very expensive repairs.
However, there are other things that can cause an engine to overheat that you will want to watch out for. A case in point is any driving practice that will tend to make your engine work a great deal harder than normal. If you’re towing a lot of weight, doing a lot of stop and go driving down town on a hot summer day, or racing a vehicle that wasn’t built for racing, you can overheat your engine.
Preventive Medicine: Regular Maintenance
The best thing for your automatic transmission is some good preventive medicine. It’s always best to find small problems and fix them before they get any bigger. Make sure you’re checking the oil and transmission fluid regularly and changing them at need. You’ll also want to make sure your automatic transmission fluid filter is replaced whenever the fluid is changed.
There’s an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is definitely true when it comes to taking care of your automatic transmission. For more information go to Trannyman.net.