Transmission repair is a fact of owning a car. As a working component to your vehicle's engine, it needs to be maintained through proper upkeep. However, most people do not think twice about it. They assume the fluid is fine. They do not realize that they can reduce their costs including fuel costs by simply having this system properly maintained right alongside their engine's oil and filters. A technician can offer three main steps to you.
Diagnosing Any Problem
The first step is to diagnose any type of condition currently affecting the vehicle. You will likely need to bring in your vehicle from time to time for concerns related to the way it is functioning. For example, if you notice it is not shifting gears properly or it jolts when you move from reverse to drive this is an indication of a problem. Others include squealing sounds from belts, a revving of the engine and a loss or a reduction in power as you are driving. Do not put off these types of problems. If the system fails, the car could stop or lurch forward without warning and potentially put you in a risky situation.
Treat the Problem
The next step the technician will take is treating any problem related to the system. Transmission repair often includes removing components and replacing them if they were worn. However, not all conditions warrant replacement. Rather, you may be able to have the system flushed to remove old fluid, which could be causing the conditions you are experiencing. You cannot just top off this fluid. It is a good idea to drain it thoroughly, flush the lines, and replace the fluid with new product, every 30,000 miles, or when the manufacturer instructs you to do so.
Preventing Additional Concerns
Even if you do need replacement, once it is in place, you need to maintain it. Discuss with your technician what steps you should take to do just that. You may need to bring the vehicle in for maintenance more frequently than others do because of the way you use the car. On the other hand, you may need to monitor for changes in its function and to report these.
Keep your technician in the loop. Be sure he or she helps you to handle any transmission repairs thoroughly and then gives you steps to take to minimize the risk of having to bring the vehicle in again down the road. Ultimately, you need to maintain the transmission. If you fail to do so, you are significantly reducing fuel efficiency and long-term drivability of the vehicle.
