Just as you perform regular maintenance on your engine (ie changing the oil, rotating the tires, etc.), you need to do the same for your transmission if you wish to avoid some major transmission repair bills!
Any car owner's heart drops when they hear that their car's transmission may be having problems. The transmission is one important and extremely expensive piece of equipment that your car is literally lost without! Keeping up with transmission repair and maintenance is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your car will serve you efficiently for a long,
long time!
Keeping Up With Transmission Fluid Changes
As a rule of thumb you should change your transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or so. Some manual models require the fluid to be changed every 15,000 miles, while some automatic models being made now-a-days can go up to 100,000 miles before they need a change. Check your car's owner manual to see what your manufacturer recommends.
The transmission fluid lubricates the transmission system and keeps it cool. This is why it's important to check the fluid regularly and change it as often as your manual recommends. If something seems abnormal when you check, you may wish to have it changed earlier. For instance, if the fluid takes on a brownish tone and a burnt smell, there's something wrong with the transmission. You should take your car to a transmission repair specialist before a bigger problem crops up.
On occasion you can flush out your transmission fluid rather than replace it. If dirt and carbons have begun building up you'll likely notice unusual noises such as clunking or humming, hesitation or rough movement when the gears shift, the engine revving but the car is slow to pick up speed, or repeated stalling during idling.
Other Maintenance Measures for Your Vehicle
Oil Changes - Just as the transmission fluid keeps your transmission running smoothly and prevents overheating, the car oil keeps your engine running smoothly. Most manufactures recommend that you change your oil every 3,000 miles or every three months, depending on which deadline comes up first. If you chose to use synthetic oil, you may be able to wait longer in between oil changes.
Wheel Alignment - Proper wheel alignment will prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your tires. Uneven wearing on your tires can lead to steering problems including loose or hard steering, the wheels pulling off center, and unsteady steering. Improper wheel alignment can also cause your tires to wear more quickly, requiring you to replace the tires more often than usually necessary.
Replacing the Tires - As with any other part of the car, keeping your tires maintained is important. The rule of thumb is to change all of your tires at 40,000 miles. This prevents unsafe conditions such as blowouts or hydroplaning which happen when the tread of the tires wears down to an unsafe level.
The Advantages of Preventative Maintenance
Routine transmission repair and maintenance as well as regular oil changes, tire rotation and checkups when the check engine light come on, will all help to extend the life of your vehicle. If you get your car into the shop to be seen as soon as little problems crop up, you'll be saving yourself money in the long run. Not to mention the fact that your chances of being stranded by the road are much less if you're driving a well-maintained vehicle!
