Could You Be Damaging Your Vehicle's Transmission?

Your car gets used almost every single day, and it sees a lot of wear and tear over the years. Unfortunately, many people don't realize the damage that they do to their vehicle based on the way they drive or maintain it. Here are some ways that you could actually be damaging your vehicle's transmission.

Not Coming To A Full Stop When Shifting From Reverse

One habit that everyone has all likely done at some point is caused transmission damage due to how they shift gears. This frequently happens when backing out of your driveway and going from reverse to drive. Many people do not come to a complete stop when doing this gear shift, causing a loud banging sound. This is not normal, and it is the sound of wear being put on the transmission. Always try to come to a complete stop when shifting from reverse to drive to prevent this from happening.

Not Fixing Leaks

There are a lot of fluids in a vehicle that can leak onto the ground. When it comes to your transmission, you want to be on the lookout for a red liquid. When the liquid is dirty, it will be a reddish-brown color. This liquid means that transmission fluid is leaking out from the transmission. Have your transmission looked at soon because a lack of fluid could lead to a variety of problems. An automatic transmission could have problem shifting gears or become overheated.

Not Warming Up Your Vehicle

It is always a good idea to let your vehicle idle for a moment before you start driving. Starting the vehicle with a cold engine means that the parts within it have not been properly lubricated yet. While your car will seem to work fine, know that it is working harder than it should to operate. This puts unnecessary wear on the transmission and shortens its lifespan. Just let the car idle for a minute after cold-starting it to put less strain on the internal components. 

Not Following Towing Guidelines

Your vehicle will have weight limits when it comes to how much can be safely towed by your vehicle. This weight limit is recommended because anything heavier will put added stress on the various parts to tow. This includes your transmission, which will have a harder time shifting gears with more weight behind your car. Stick to the towing guidelines to avoid causing accidental damage. 

For more information, contact a provider of transmission services.


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