Unique Auto

Posts Tagged ‘transmission care’

You might not know each and every function of your car parts, and because of this, with many components functioning at the same time, you wouldn’t know which part exactly needs your attention.  One of the most important components of your vehicle is the transmission.But how can you properly maintain it and save money with transmission repair?I provided helpful tips below on how you can provide proper care to your transmission.

*Keep An Eye On Your Transmission Fluid

Properly maintaining your transmission fluid and filter will prolong the life of your vehicle and save you thousands of dollars in replacement costs down the road. Watch your transmission fluid level, so you would know how your transmission is doing.It is important for you to check if the consistency of the fluid is clean. 

Manual transmission fluids usually require less frequent changing. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it has a dipstick located in the engine compartment under the bonnet/hood. Check the level of the fluid, and make sure it is filled to right level. When the fluid is clean and red in color, things are usually okay. If the color is slightly brown, smells burnt, has a pink milkshake-like consistency, or is black, it is time to see your automotive transmission repair specialist.

*Change Your Transmission Fluid

Make sure to change your transmission fluid regularly, and more often in high stress conditions. Transmission fluid lubricates, cleans and cools are the transmission parts inside while providing the hydraulic pressure to make all of the components work together. Once the fluid loses its ability to perform those tasks efficiently trouble can’t be far away. Change the fluid with a minimum of twice a year.

*Make Sure Your Engine Is Properly Tuned

An engine that isn’t properly tuned can display symptoms similar to a transmission problem.

*Check Your Vehicle’s Cooling System Twice a Year

Have your cooling system checked for leaks, proper coolant level and strength.

Antifreeze can be less effective over time causing it to create overheating.

*Be On The Lookout For Any Malfunctions

Being aware of the early signs of transmission repair and providing a solution for it saves you money because the longer you drive with a malfunctioning transmission, the more damage you may cause, and the more money it may cost you.

*Leave The Repair To The Experts

Okay, you suspect something is wrong with your transmission. Then, you may think it would cost you less if you ask your brother in law or any unqualified person to fix your transmission for a much lower price, or for free.Doing so may bring you more harm than good, and make you spend more money in the future.

*An Ounce Of Prevention Is Better Than A Pound Of Cure

Allow your vehicle to have a complete physical check up once a year.  Have all your safety components checked like steering, brakes and lights. Bear in mind that an engine that runs poorly can be a safety hazard, so do certain transmission problems.

Prevention is the best way to take care of your transmission. You may think transmission problems would be solved by just changing the filter, but more often that not, this is not the case. Transmission repair can be over thousands of dollars. Obviously, you cannot drive your car if you cannot change gears.  If you are faced with this problem, visit a transmission repair specialist.  If you happen to live in Florida, drop by a very competent Orlando transmission repair shop. They work effectively, and they are trained specialists who would be able to address your transmission needs.

Out of sight, out of mind. That’s how a large number of drivers consider their vehicle’s transmission. Yet, under the hood, this complex assortment of gears, clutches, bands, seals, and gaskets, works tirelessly to maintain the performance of your engine. With enough miles, the tranny will eventually need to be repaired, replaced, or completely overhauled. The good news is that there are things you can do to make sure that your transmission system works for a long time.

Below, I’ll describe a few maintenance areas that deserve your attention. I’ll explain how to look for fluid leaks, check for color or odors that suggest a problem, and note changes in how your tranny operates.

Looking For Leaks

If you notice spots appearing underneath your vehicle in the general area of your transmission, place a piece of white cardboard underneath to catch the drip. That will allow you to ID the color. If the drip appears reddish, it is likely coming from your tranny or the steering column. Take your car to a mechanic and ask him to identify the source of the leak.

If the amount of leaking is relatively small, you may be able to put off having it fixed for awhile. Just be sure to keep the fluid levels up. Like motor oil for your engine, your tranny needs plenty of fluid. Starving it will lead to costly damage. Also, keep in mind that leaks seldom repair themselves. Sooner or later, you’ll need to have it fixed.

Checking For Health with Your Nose and Eyes

Get into the habit of checking your fluid levels every two or three weeks. Turn your engine on and let it idle for a minute. Then, pop the hood and pull the dipstick out. If the fluid is "healthy," it will have a vibrant, reddish hue. If it is brown, appears murky, or smells as if it's burning, take your vehicle to a mechanic and ask him to check your transmission. He will probably suggest that you drain it before replenishing its fluid.

Noting Changes In Behavior

Transmissions normally perform their job with uniformity. Changes in behavior will not be subtle. For example, you might hear a high-pitched whine coming from the floor. You might notice a hard shift between certain gears. You might also notice that your transmission shifts sporadically at different RPMs. Each of these is a warning sign that something might be wrong.

Have a mechanic take a look. You can avoid a large repair bill if you can catch the problem early enough. On the other hand, if you let it persist, the problem might make an expensive overhaul necessary in the future.

As with most of your car’s parts and systems, periodically checking the health of your transmission will go a long way toward preserving its life.