Three Tips For Taking Care Of An Automatic Transmission

Rebuilding or replacing the transmission in your car is a huge and avoidable cost. Your transmission is responsible for applying the power from your engine to your wheels. The gears in the transmission use mechanical ratios to adapt the power from the engine to the demands of the driving situations you are in. If your transmission stops working, your vehicle will be crippled. To get the most life from your engine and transmission, you need to know how to take proper care of your transmission.

Check Fluid Levels

The fluid in your transmission both improves its function and prevents damage. Most cars will have a dipstick that you can use to check the fluid levels in your transmission. Low fluid does not necessarily mean that you have a leak, but it is strong indication that you need to have your transmission serviced. You should also check for leaks under your vehicle. Even a few drops of fluid should tell you take your transmission in for service. Catching problems while they are small will help you to avoid the need for extensive repairs or replacement. 

Use a Friction Modifier

One way to protect the internal components of your transmission is to add a friction modifier to your transmission fluid. This additive will contain chemicals that adhere to the metal components of the transmission and create a film that will reduce wear as they make contact with each other. While transmission fluid should do this, a friction modifier adds an extra layer of protection that can protect your transmission even as the fluid begins to break down. 

An Auxiliary Cooler

The engineers that design transmissions recognize that heat can cause the transmission fluid to break down. When this happens, friction can easily damage the internal components of your transmission. While the cooling systems designed by engineers should be enough to protect your transmission during normal operation, if you plan to do heavy towing, you should consider using an auxiliary cooler. Such a system will take over when the standard cooling system falls short and provide your transmission with an extra layer of protection to avoid breakdown. 

Transmissions are an integral component of your vehicle's drivetrain, a component which when neglected can render your entire vehicle useless. If you don't know what to do to protect your transmission, you can destroy your transmission, which depending on how old your car is, might cost more than your car is worth. Taking steps to protect your transmission is the best way to avoid the high cost of replacing it.  Contact a mechanic, like Arringdale's Engine Rebuilding & Auto Repair, if you need more help.