Bad Habits That Damage Your Vehicle's Transmission System
Posted on: 17 June 2020
The gearbox is a fairly reliable system that provides a selection of gears for your automobile uses to stand still, climb hills or cruise a level surface. It forms part of the transmission system, which transfers power from your car's engine to the car's axle and wheels. A vehicle's combustion engine runs at a very high speed and the gearbox is tasked with reducing this speed when transmitting power to the wheels. Like all machinery, however, the gearbox does wear out and eventually fails overtime. Nevertheless, here is a rundown of some avoidable habits that damage the transmission system faster than it should.
Letting Your Car Overheat Often
Many people continue driving with an overheating car without knowing that it harms the engine and the transmission system. Most automatic transmission engines have an upper limit of 200 degrees and every 20 degrees above this temperature halves the lifespan of your transmission system. In this regard, letting your car overheat frequently severely hampers the lifespan of your vehicle. To avoid this problem, take the necessary steps to cool down your engine every time it overheats.
Exceeding Your Car's Towing Limits
If your car is not rated for heavy haulage, do not use it for towing. If it is rated for towing, ensure that the towing limits are not exceeded. Towing weights beyond the suggested weight limits put a strain on your transmission and causing the engine to overheat.
Shifting Gears While Still in Motion
In automatic transmission vehicles, it is recommended that you shifting into drive or reverse when the vehicle is at a complete stop. Unlike a manual transmission vehicle where the clutch disengages when shifting gears, an automatic transmission vehicle does not have this allowance. Forcing a change of gears during motion damages not only the transmission but the driveshaft and suspension as well.
Using the Wrong Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluids are not all equal and are manufactured differently. These fluids have different viscosity and additives formulated for varying systems. Using the wrong fluid on your vehicle may cause improper lubrication or cooling leading to the damaging of the gearbox. Additionally, you also need to check the fluid levels frequently to ensure that they do not go lower than the recommended levels. Ensure that you always use the correct transmission fluid, maintained at optimal levels for a smooth operation.
While the gearbox can hold its own, the bad practices above destroy it faster than it normally would. It can be difficult to break bad habits, but avoiding the few aforementioned should help your engine last longer and save you from unwarranted gearbox repairs down the road.
For more information, reach out to a gearbox repair technician in your area.
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