Transmission Maintenance

 

You probably already are already aware that the automatic transmission of your car is amongst the most essential parts that keeps your vehicle go anywhere. And anything as complicated as that will require proper upkeep for it to persist for the long haul. Automatic transmissions are far more complex in comparison to its manual equivalents so it requires more attention than one might guess.

 

As you should already know automatics rely significantly on transmission fluid in order to keep it operating strong, which is why fluid changes are recommended every 30,000 miles. The fluid is critical considering it lubricates and cools the different parts that are located within your automobile which is why imperative that you preserve that fluid at a reasonable consistency. Broken down, filthy fluid can cause numerous issues including slipping gears, reduced acceleration, and of course total failure. The very last thing you would want to have is a transmission breakdown that can set you back a a lot of money to repair let alone replace. The biggest reason why transmissions break down or develop problems is mainly because owners fail to remember to maintain it on a regular basis.

 

Hot temperatures are your worst foe. Heat is the biggest source for short car lifespans and I am going to explain why. Transmissions count on fluid to ensure that it stays working smoothly. As I have said fluid is exactly what lubricates as well as cools the numerous parts in the car. The more the transmission works the extra heat it yields and the extra heat it is exposed to causes it to ultimately build problems. Whenever fluid temperatures get over 215 deg Fahrenheit varnish develops; higher and seals harden, plates slide, seals in addition to plates burn out, and carbon is made. If fluid temperatures rise above 315 degrees Fahrenheit anticipate your automobile to endure lower than eight hundred miles. When maintained at 175 deg Fahrenheit then your automobile can drive over 100,000 miles. See the amount of improvement that produces? Even a twenty degree decrease from 220 to 200 deg in fluid temperature can possibly increase twofold the life duration of your transmission! So obviously this is the reason why fluid is terribly important to the well-being of your transmission.

 

Possibly one of the most well-known and easiest approaches in prolonging your transmission is by getting a fluid change as prescribed by the automobile manufacturer. A good number of car professionals highly recommend getting a fluid change each and every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever occurs first. It truly all will depend on your driving habits as well as the type of fluid applied however. A fluid change can be done independently however it is encouraged that you just take it into a auto garage in which the technicians are competent in automotive maintenance. The process is pretty standard and involves lowering the pan to remove the older fluid and furthermore to check for contaminants. The filtering will get adjusted appropriately and fluid is soon after added to the correct amount. The main reason why you would want to bring it into a service shop is because the specialists can make out when there is a problem with the transmission based upon the outdated fluid. In spite of this a fluid change does not guarantee that ALL of the worn-out fluid is eliminated. Plenty of fluid can continue to remain in cooler lines in addition to the torque converter for that reason the following approach mentioned is often an even better option.

 

One more well-known automobile servicing routine is to get a transmission flush. A transmission flush is when just about all of the fluid is taken out and the system becomes thoroughly cleaned. The method will involve linking a pump to the cooler lines to get rid of all the worn fluid. New fluid is then exchanged at the same time so the vintage fluid is unable to dirty the new fluid. A flush is way more efficient in comparison to a change mainly because ALL of the broken down fluid is swapped out. This enables the new fluid to do a far greater job at cooling down as well as lubricating the transmission. Prices for a flush can be somewhat more expensive than a fluid change but a majority of people say it truly is worth it for how much it will help to increase the life-span of the tranny.

 

If you are uncertain about the exact amount of time or the actual number of miles it has been since you received a fluid change or a flush then a great way to know when to get your car checked out is through looking at the fluid. Vehicle professionals strongly recommend taking a look at the fluid levels and health each month regardless if you are encountering complications or not. You will see countless in-depth guides on the net regarding how to check out the fluid but nevertheless let me give you a simple summary on how it is carried out.

 

The job will go something such as this. For quite a few models and makes the car should be operating so that you can obtain proper results. Ordinarily the vehicle is taken for a drive in an effort to warm-up the engine and additionally the fluids. Transmission fluid in fact expands a good deal in the event that it is heated up which means that examining the fluid whenever the car is off can result in deceiving results. The moment the car is warmed up it must be put in park or neutral on a level surface area after that the hood needs to be popped. A good number of cars include a fluid dipstick nearby the transmission; you can see where it sits in the owner handbook. Upon having found the dipstick it is important to take it off and wipe it on a clean paper cloth or perhaps a rag of some type. This is where the coloring together with the quality is looked over. As a rule new fluid is a vibrant, transparent reddish. A dark reddish or mild brownish are okay shades assuming the fluid has been used for some time although darker colors can mean it should be checked, particularly if it happens to be a dark brownish. Shades closer to black would probably imply that your transmission carries disorders. Moreover should the fluid smells burnt then it can also signify that it possesses complications. When you find metallic shavings or bulky particles floating around then perhaps that can suggest that the filtration system has failed to accomplish its duty or it will probably represent greater troubles. To find out if the fluid has oxidized rub a little of it on a paper towel, if it will not spread then this suggests it has oxidized. Any time the fluid exhibits any of those indications – darker colors like dark brown or black, a burned up aroma, substantial contaminants or metal shavings, or fluid oxidation -- then that signifies your car ought to be taken in to be examined. As long as everything appears to be fine then at this point in time it is advisable to take a look at the fluid amount. Simply re-insert the dipstick after wiping it down then simply take it out once again. The fluid should be somewhere between the two indicators. When it is below the second mark then you definitely will want to attach the specified transmission fluid advised in the owner guide in modest portions, inspecting periodically until the levels get in between the two labels.

 

As long as you keep on top of maintenance procedures then your car will last much longer than average. It is necessary to take care of your vehicle unless you want to come across costly vehicle repairs or the purchase of a completely new car later on. Be certain to properly maintain your car regularly mainly because it works tirelessly for you, the least you can do is to ensure that it stays in good running condition.