Understanding and Preventing Transmission Issues

Posted May 15, 2024

Most private passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks have automatic transmissions while sports cars, trucks, and many commercial vehicles have manual transmissions. According to Statista, cars with automatic transmissions will account for a fourth of all registered vehicles in the U.S. market by 2025. Those transmissions can last a long time, but almost all eventually need transmission repair services. Here’s how to minimize potential transmission problems in your car.

Fluid Reduces Friction and Heat

Many automatic transmissions have between seven and 10 gears, but some have even more and others less. The gears require fluid to reduce friction and enable them to change gears without causing heat that damages the gears. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should have a section that discusses service intervals for different mechanical systems and parts, such as the transmission. Following the recommended schedule for fluid changes and other maintenance will help preserve your transmission.

Don’t Overload Your Vehicle

Many people have towing packages on their cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. The makers of those vehicles include the maximum towing and cargo capacities that their owners must follow. Ignoring them and overloading your vehicle with too much weight or towing an overloaded trailer accelerates the wear and tear on the transmission and might cause a sudden breakdown. Carefully ensuring you stay within your vehicle’s weight limits and towing capacities will help prevent the need for a costly transmission repair or replacement service.

Use the Parking Brake

Whenever you park on a slope, use the parking brake to take pressure off the transmission. Parking on a slope causes gravity to affect your vehicle and place a load on the transmission. Using the parking brake reduces the load pressure and helps prevent damaging the gears. If you don’t use the parking brake, the transmission might slip out of gear and cause an accident or property damage.

Powertrains Need Regular Inspections

The transmission is part of the drivetrain that sends engine power to the drive wheels. The drivetrain includes axles on every vehicle, including a drive axle that connects the transmission to a rear differential. The differential sends the power to the final axles that turn the rear wheels and make your vehicle go. A front-wheel-drive car likely has a CV axle for each wheel up front. They all need fluid checks and maintenance to last a long time.

When you suspect that your vehicle needs a transmission repair, it’s important to have that repair made as soon as possible to prevent it from causing more issues for your vehicle. Fortunately, you can bring your car to our shop for transmission repair and maintenance services that keep it working well for as long as possible. Contact our team today at D’s Auto & Truck Repair for more information!

Categories: Car Repair

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