Avoiding the Transmission Repair Shop: Three Good Tips

By the latter part of the last decade, manual car sales were down to below 10% of the market. The trend toward automatics has been quick and inexorable. However, that doesn't mean the standard is going anywhere. A select minority prefer them for their price, there prestige, and the fun of shifting gears. It gives you more control over your vehicle and often results in a better handling vehicle. Of course, it also comes with more responsibility. If you want to avoid expensive bills at the transmission repair shop, here are three tips you should adhere to when driving your manual.

Don't Downshift
This is a common practice, but it puts unnecessary stress on the car. Over time, this can result in needing to visit a transmission repair shop earlier than you might have preferred. What is downshifting? This refers to the practice of switching to lower gears in lieu of using the brake as intended. It works, but it's not the way to do it on a regular basis. Yeah, you'll save some wear on your brake pads, but it's much cheaper to replace those than it is to get a rebuild. It can be a hard habit to break, but it's very much worth trying.

Get off the Clutch
This isn't a major problem for those who do most of their driving on the open highway, but this simply doesn't describe the majority of drivers' habits. Most people are commuting to work in stop-and-go traffic, which is already tough on the car. You can make it worse by riding the clutch. It's a common habit. You have to keep shifting from one gear to the next, so your foot never quite releases the clutch all the way. This can wear it out long before its natural lifespan. Try to get into the habit of letting go all the way, even if you want to hover your foot above the pedal.

Practice Good Shifting
Pay close attention to how you're handling the shifting process. A quick way into your nearest transmission repair shop is to throw the car into reverse when going forward. Avoid that at all costs, as it can mess things up really quickly. Don't try to do "precision shifting" unless you're very experienced with it. This is the practice of trying to shift without depressing the clutch. It can work well in a nice, aligned semi, but it rarely works well in a car or regular truck. If you find the clutch a hassle, you might want to think about switching to an automatic.