Transmissions can cost a lot to replace or rebuild. The average transmission, with the minimum amount of upkeep, will last for about 100,000 miles. The average driver will rack up that many miles in as little as seven years. Without any care or maintenance, a transmission can fail in as little as 30,000 miles. In order to get the most possible miles out of your transmission, it’s a good idea to know how to properly perform transmission maintenance. Here are three things you can do to help ensure your transmission lasts:
- Regular Maintenance of the Engine and Cooling System
Many transmission failures are due to premature wear caused by overheating. Properly maintaining your vehicle’s engine and cooling system helps ensure the transmission can cool itself sufficiently. If you have any questions, be sure to talk to your local transmission experts. - Check and Upgrade Fluids
While you want to change the fluid regularly, you should also consider upgrading it to extend the life of your transmission. Using synthetic fluids increases heat resistance and may even allow you to go longer between fluid flushes. Before you switch to any type of synthetic fluid, you do have to realize that certain synthetic fluids do not go well with certain transmissions. This means you should work with auto repair experts to find the perfect fluid for your vehicle’s transmission. Flushing with the proper equipment delivers a higher quality fluid exchange by removing almost all of the old transmission fluid. A simple drain and refill only removes 60-70% of the old fluid, on average. - Evaluate Tires
Having tires that are properly inflated can increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Tires in good condition can also help put less strain on your transmission. In certain cases, you may end up with different size tires on your car. This can be an issue because the tires will want to spin at different speeds. You can increase the life of your transmission by ensuring that your tires are properly inflated and are the same size.
Save Money
Increasing the miles you get out of your transmission is a sure fire way to save money. Even though you pay to do regular maintenance checks, it will be much less than you would have to pay to repair or replace your transmission. Remember, the best way that you can increase the life of your transmission is to make sure that you are using the best fluids, regularly servicing the transmission, changing the fluid and filter regularly, and ensuring that there is no undue strain on your transmission. Work with the professionals at Sun Auto Service to come up with a transmission maintenance plan for your vehicle.