You probably already know that the automatic transmission of
your car is one of the most critical components that keeps your vehicle moving
forward. And something as intricate as that needs proper maintenance in order
for it to keep going for the long haul. Automatic transmissions are a little
more complex than its manual counterparts so it needs a little more care than
one might expect.
As you should already know automatics rely heavily on
transmission fluid in order to keep it running strong. The fluid is critical in
that it lubricates and cools the many various components that lie within your
vehicle and it is important to maintain that fluid at a reasonable consistency.
Old, dirty fluid can cause a number of problems including slipping gears, loss
of acceleration, and of course failure. The last thing you want to have is a
transmission failure that can cost a whole heap of money to repair let alone
replace. The biggest reason why transmissions fail or develop problems is
because owners forget to maintain it on a regular basis.
Heat is your worst enemy. Heat is the main cause for short
car lifespans and I will explain why. Transmissions rely on fluid to keep it
running smoothly. As I have said fluid is what lubricates and cools the many
parts in your car. The harder your transmission works the more heat it produces
and the more heat it is exposed to causes it to eventually develop problems.
When fluid temperatures rise above 215 degrees Fahrenheit varnish forms; higher
and seals harden, plates slip, seals and plates burn out, and carbon forms. If
fluid temperature rises above 315 degrees Fahrenheit than expect your car to
last less than 800 miles. If kept at 175 degrees Fahrenheit than your car will
be able to drive over 100,000 miles. See how much difference that makes? Even a
20 degree drop from 220 to 200 degrees in fluid temperature can double the
lifespan of your transmission! So of course this is why fluid is critical to
the health of your transmission.
Probably one of the most common and most effective ways in
prolonging your transmission is by getting a fluid change as recommended by the
car manufacturer. Most automotive experts suggest getting a fluid change every
30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first. It really all depends on your
driving habits and the type of fluid used though. A fluid change can be done by
yourself but it is recommended that you take it into a repair shop where the
technicians are knowledgeable in car maintenance. The service is quite simple
and consists of dropping the pan to remove the old fluid as well as to inspect
for contaminants. The filter gets changed accordingly and fluid is then added
to the proper levels. The main reason why you want to bring it into a repair
shop is because the technicians will know if there is a problem with the transmission
by looking at the old fluid. However a fluid change does not insure that ALL of
the old fluid is removed. A lot of fluid can still remain in cooler lines and
the torque converter which is why the next method explained is generally a
better option.
Another common car maintenance routine is to get a
transmission flush. A transmission flush is where all the fluid is removed and
the system gets thoroughly cleaned. The process involves connecting a pump to
the cooler lines to remove all the old fluid. New fluid is then replaced at the
same time so that the old fluid is not able to contaminate the new fluid. A
flush is much more effective than a change because ALL of the old fluid is
replaced. This allows the new fluid to do a much better job at cooling and
lubricating the transmission. Costs for a flush can run a little higher than a
fluid change but many say it is well worth it for how much it helps to extend
the life of the tranny.
If you are not sure how long or how many miles it has been
since you have had a fluid change or a flush then a good way to know when to
get your car serviced is by checking the fluid. Automotive experts recommend
checking the fluid level and condition every month regardless of whether you
are experiencing problems or not. You can find many detailed tutorials online
about how to check the fluid but I will give you a quick synopsis about how it
is done.
The process goes something like this. For most makes and
models the car needs to be running in order to get accurate results. Usually
the car is taken for a drive in order to warm up the engine and fluids.
Transmission fluid actually expands quite a bit when it is warmed up so
checking the fluid while the car is cold can have misleading results. Once the
car is warmed up it should be put in park or neutral on a level surface and
then the hood needs to be popped. Most cars have a fluid dipstick near the
transmission; you can find where it is located in the owner manual. After you
have found the dipstick you will want to remove it and wipe it on a clear paper
towel or a rag of some kind. This will be where the color and condition is
inspected. Normally fluid should be a bright, clear red. A dark red or light
brown are okay colors if the fluid has been used for some time but darker colors
can mean it needs to be serviced, especially if it is a dark brown. Colors
closer to black may mean that your transmission has a problem. Also if the
fluid smells burnt then this can also mean that it has problems. If there are
metal shavings or large particles floating about then that may mean that the
filter has failed to do its job or it may mean bigger problems. To check
whether the fluid has oxidized wipe some of it on a paper towel, if it does not
spread then this means it has oxidized. If the fluid shows any of those
symptoms - dark colors such as brown or black, a burnt smell, large particles
or metal shavings, or fluid oxidation -- then it means your car needs to be
taken in to be serviced. If everything seems okay then at this point you will want
to check the fluid levels. Simply re-insert the dipstick after wiping it down
and then remove it again. The fluid should be somewhere between the two marks.
If it is below the second mark then you will want to add the specified
transmission fluid suggested in the owner manual in small quantities, checking
periodically until the levels reach in between the two marks.
If you stay on top of maintenance procedures then your car
will last much longer than average. It is vital to take care of your car unless
you want to face expensive repairs or the purchase of an entirely new car later
on. Be sure to properly maintain your car on a regular basis because it works
tirelessly for you, the least you can do is to keep it in good running
condition.
Article Credit: http://www.ezinearticles.com
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