5 most common mistakes that can ruin your automatic transmission
Imagine an orthopedic emergency room, with X-rays, broken bones, plaster, splints and even saws, screw nuts and drills.
Now imagine a surgical center specializing in neurosurgery. Roughly speaking, repairing automatic transmissions can be compared in this way with repairing engines, brakes or suspensions, for example. Of course, the proportions are a little exaggerated, after all the transmissions are not as delicate as brain tissue,(although the valve body somewhat resembles the brain) but in any case, they are far from being able to receive the same type of intervention that the radiator in their car, for example, receives. Get additional info at too much transmission fluid
1 - Do not pay attention to your transmission
An automatic gearbox needs periodic attention, just like you do a physical checkup with your doctor every year. If you neglect to pay attention to your transmission, it is likely that dirt and contaminants will accumulate inside it causing it to slow down and dramatically increasing the chances that it will develop problems over time. Forget your automatic transmission long enough and one day you will be surprised at a transmission that failed due to lack of maintenance.
2 - Run with fluid out of level
From anemia to embolism, a serious problem for transmissions is when you run with fluid that is too low or too high. Automatic transmissions require fluid to lubricate their many parts, provide hydraulic pressure and cool the heat generated. Optimal fluid levels mean that your transmission will be working exactly as it should, but less than that means it is working overtime to make up for the fluid deficit. Without sufficient transmission fluid to lubricate, supply fluid pressure and cool internal mechanical parts, the operating temperature is likely to increase. And as I mentioned here, excessive heat is the bane of an automatic transmission. Excess fluid is also bad,
Now imagine a surgical center specializing in neurosurgery. Roughly speaking, repairing automatic transmissions can be compared in this way with repairing engines, brakes or suspensions, for example. Of course, the proportions are a little exaggerated, after all the transmissions are not as delicate as brain tissue,(although the valve body somewhat resembles the brain) but in any case, they are far from being able to receive the same type of intervention that the radiator in their car, for example, receives. Get additional info at too much transmission fluid
1 - Do not pay attention to your transmission
An automatic gearbox needs periodic attention, just like you do a physical checkup with your doctor every year. If you neglect to pay attention to your transmission, it is likely that dirt and contaminants will accumulate inside it causing it to slow down and dramatically increasing the chances that it will develop problems over time. Forget your automatic transmission long enough and one day you will be surprised at a transmission that failed due to lack of maintenance.
2 - Run with fluid out of level
From anemia to embolism, a serious problem for transmissions is when you run with fluid that is too low or too high. Automatic transmissions require fluid to lubricate their many parts, provide hydraulic pressure and cool the heat generated. Optimal fluid levels mean that your transmission will be working exactly as it should, but less than that means it is working overtime to make up for the fluid deficit. Without sufficient transmission fluid to lubricate, supply fluid pressure and cool internal mechanical parts, the operating temperature is likely to increase. And as I mentioned here, excessive heat is the bane of an automatic transmission. Excess fluid is also bad,
3 - Use the wrong type of automatic transmission fluid
I don't know what is worse, but running with a different fluid than the one indicated for its transmission is just as destructive. There are those who believe that transmission fluid is all the same, but that could not be further from the truth. Each transmission on the market requires a specific type of ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid, or Fluid for Automatic Transmission) to achieve optimum performance and it is your responsibility to ensure that your transmission is receiving the right fluid, either for maintenance or for adding fluid. The point is that the different types of fluid have different levels of viscosity, in addition to additives that are added to the mixture.
4 - Ignore problems until it's too late
Did you hear a strange noise when the gear changed? Is there a reddish liquid showing up where you park your car? Is the transmission jerking? Does it take long for the gears to enter? Looks like you're skating? Any unusual symptoms are cause for concern and mean that you should seek automatic transmission maintenance service as soon as possible, after all, normal transmission does not exhibit any of these behaviors (at first glance) and when they do, it means that something is wrong.
5 - Allow the transmission to overheat
Just think like this: 2 degrees more in your body means that you have a fever, which can ruin your day and give you the feeling that you are dying, right? So, how do you think the broadcasts feel? Well, if they could, they would be very angry with you or completely depressed that you simply ignore their health. High temperature in the transmission fluid is ultimately what destroys your transmission. It is estimated that 90% of all failures are due to excessive heat.
I don't know what is worse, but running with a different fluid than the one indicated for its transmission is just as destructive. There are those who believe that transmission fluid is all the same, but that could not be further from the truth. Each transmission on the market requires a specific type of ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid, or Fluid for Automatic Transmission) to achieve optimum performance and it is your responsibility to ensure that your transmission is receiving the right fluid, either for maintenance or for adding fluid. The point is that the different types of fluid have different levels of viscosity, in addition to additives that are added to the mixture.
4 - Ignore problems until it's too late
Did you hear a strange noise when the gear changed? Is there a reddish liquid showing up where you park your car? Is the transmission jerking? Does it take long for the gears to enter? Looks like you're skating? Any unusual symptoms are cause for concern and mean that you should seek automatic transmission maintenance service as soon as possible, after all, normal transmission does not exhibit any of these behaviors (at first glance) and when they do, it means that something is wrong.
5 - Allow the transmission to overheat
Just think like this: 2 degrees more in your body means that you have a fever, which can ruin your day and give you the feeling that you are dying, right? So, how do you think the broadcasts feel? Well, if they could, they would be very angry with you or completely depressed that you simply ignore their health. High temperature in the transmission fluid is ultimately what destroys your transmission. It is estimated that 90% of all failures are due to excessive heat.