Keep Things Running Smoothly: How To Care For Your Transmission

When it comes to cars, the transmission may be the most overlooked part of the whole thing. Part of the reason for that is because it doesn't need to be serviced as often as the rest of your car. Not only that, but there isn't a dashboard icon for your transmission that reminds you when it's time to flush the fluid. Unfortunately, that can put your transmission at risk for some serious problems. Here are three steps you can take to care for your transmission.

Check the Fluid

This may seem like an overly simplified suggestion, but you'd be surprised how many people don't check their transmission fluid levels. Not only that, but if you own a newer car with a closed transmission, you might not even realize that the fluid needs to be checked. That's because with the closed transmission, there is no dipstick to look at. However, it will still need to be checked from time to time. If you don't have a closed transmission, you should check your transmission fluid each time you check your motor oil level. If you have a closed transmission, you should follow the guidelines in your service manual.

Don't Neglect Your Manual Transmission

If you have a car with a manual transmission, you might not think that you need to worry about the transmission fluid. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Your manual transmission will require transmission fluid too. If you haven't checked the fluid level on your manual transmission, now's the time to take care of that.

Have Your Used Car Serviced

If you've recently purchased a new car, you shouldn't need to worry about transmission servicing for quite a while. However, if you've owned your car for a while, and it's nearing the 100,000 mile mark on the odometer, it's time to start planning for the service. Also, if you've recently purchased a used car, it's a good idea to have the transmission serviced. You don't know how well the previous owners cared for the car, which means you could be driving a car with hidden transmission troubles.

Pay Attention to the Warning Signs

When it comes to caring for your car, it's crucial that you pay attention to the warning signs. If your cars transmission is struggling, it will let you know before it finally gives out. If your car is having a hard time switching gears, or you hear unusual noises when your car switches gears, it's time to schedule an appointment with your mechanic. They can identify the problem before you're left stranded on the side of the road.

Contact a transmission repair shop for more help.