Transmission Repair: Some Tips for Proper Maintenance

Few drivers spend much of their time worrying about transmission repair. That is, until they are told they will need a full replacement and it's going to cost quite a lot of money. While there is sometimes nothing you can do to prevent things from getting to this point, there often is. Taking care of your vehicle is about more than getting an oil change every few months and keeping air in your tires. If you want to get the most out of an expensive investment, you should go the extra mile. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations when it comes to scheduled maintenance. Follow these tips to avoid major problems.

Get It Checked

So many transmission repair issues could be avoided if car owners would just let a mechanic take a look every now and then. In the world of health and wellness, the concept of seeing a doctor when you're well is finally becoming a popular idea. The same ideas that make preventative maintenance a good idea when it comes to your body also apply to your automobile. Take your car in every so often and let a trustworthy mechanic give it the once-over. He will keep your car running at its maximum efficiency and will help you spot small problems before they grow out of control.

Learn to Drive

If you drive a standard, you need to learn how to drive your car before you wind up in the shop looking at some avoidable transmission repair. The art of driving stick is being quietly and quickly lost as fewer and fewer vehicles come in anything but automatic. This wouldn't be worth mentioning, except for the fact that so many drivers have stick shifts without knowing how to properly drive them. They put the shift into park without putting the parking brake on, they downshift when coming to a stop instead of using the brake pedal, and they fast-shift into reverse. These can all wreak havoc on your car's innards, and you will eventually pay for them.

Keep An Eye On Your Fluid

Experts differ when it comes to how often your fluid should be flushed and changed. Adhere to your manufacturer's recommendations for best results. On a regular basis, however, you should make sure that your fluids are staying at the proper level. If you notice red spots on the pavement when you pull out of a parking space, it's probably a sign that you're leaking. Bring your car into a transmission repair shop and get the problem addressed before something bad happens.