If you own a car, you certainly know the importance of taking care of it. The common adage of if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, cannot apply to vehicles. Otherwise, things will turn ugly.
The transmission is one of the essential parts of your automobile. Surprisingly, many people ignore its maintenance. Neglecting your transmission will lead to reduced ride quality and ballooning garage costs. Therefore, if you are a careful car owner, transmission service dates should always be on your calendar.
Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the common transmission services you should know. Shall we?
Common transmission maintenance services
You should conduct routine car transmission maintenance just like you do to your car engine. Ideally, for many cars, the recommended time frame is every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. During your transmission maintenance, your mechanic is likely to perform the below.
Changing transmission fluid
Transmission plays a crucial role in lubricating, cooling, and enabling your transmission to shift gears. Without it, your transmission will behave erratically and die within no time. Your mechanic can’t miss changing your transmission fluid when time is due.
But why should I change transmission fluid? Just like other automotive fluids, the transmission fluid deteriorates as you drive. How can I tell? Normally, the transmission fluid is reddish in color. However, it becomes darker over time.
Importantly, remember to use the correct transmission fluid for your car. Why? Transmission fluid depends on the gearbox of your vehicle. The transmission fluid used depends on whether your transmission is automatic, manual, or CVT.
Again, transmission fluid depends on the make of your car. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommended transmission fluid.
Filter replacement
Your transmission filter is inexpensive yet vital in sieving dirt and any debris of your transmission fluid. However, with time dirt accumulates and ends up clogging your transmission’s filter.
How do I tell its time to replace my transmission filter? Be on the lookout for the following signs:
- Leakage
- Contaminated transmission fluid
- Erratic gear change
- Rattling noise in the gearbox area
Even without the above signs, change your transmission filter while you are changing your transmission fluid.
Remove and clean sludge
Sludge could build up in your transmission over time. And it could clog your filter, therefore, hindering its functionality. Remove sludge buildup by thoroughly cleaning your gasket and the transmission pan.
Changing the pan gasket
You will know that your pan gasket needs changing when you notice leaks of transmission fluid. As you drive, the pan gasket could break or simply wear out, resulting in leaks.
Changing the pan gasket is inexpensive and relatively easy when you have the required tools at hand.
To sum it all
Transmission repairs and replacements can be costly. However, the good news is that, with preventive transmission maintenance, you will surely extend the life of your transmission. However, be sure to take your vehicle to experienced technicians for your transmission’s maintenance.
To that end, if you are a car owner in Cape Coral, Florida, and searching for reliable and trustworthy mechanics, your search has ended. At Modern Auto Air & Transmission Service, we have long-lasting experience dealing with almost all types of vehicles. Email or phone us at 239-772-5553. We’ll handle your vehicle’s transmission and any other vehicle-related problem you might have.
