Tips For Making Your Transmission Last Longer
Your transmission is one of the key components of your car, truck or SUV. It is the system that transfers energy from the engine and makes it possible for the wheels to turn and your vehicle to operate in the correct gear. Your transmission is also one of the most expensive parts of the vehicle. The average new car transmission can cost between $1,800 and $3,400. Even a rebuilt transmission is likely to set you back more than $1,000. It just makes good economic sense to do all you can to make your transmission last as long as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to maximize the lifespan of your transmission.
What you can do to make your transmission last?
1. Check your transmission fluid regularly. This may seem obvious, but how many of us really do this. (When was the last time you checked your fluid levels?) If you have your oil changed regularly, the technician will often check your transmission fluid but, If you change your own oil, you may not have checked your transmission fluid for even longer. Experts recommend that you check your transmission fluid level in the reservoir every two to four weeks.
2. Have your transmission serviced according to your manual’s guidelines. Like your oil, your transmission fluid and fluid filter need to be totally changed periodically. For new cars, this is usually every two years of 40,000 to 50,000 miles. For older cars, you should have this done every 18 months or 20,000 to 30,000 miles.
3. Modify your driving style. “Jack rabbit” starts and fast stops can take their toll on your transmission. So can constantly accelerating and decelerating. Better to adopt an even speed or use your cruise control on the highway to avoid wear and tear on your transmission.
4. Consider investing in a transmission cooler. Heat is the number one threat to your transmission’s health. It damages the seals, the metal surfaces and the electronic components. A good transmission cooler can dramatically lower the temperature in the gear box and help your transmission to last two to three times longer.
