When last did you have your transmission serviced? Can’t remember? Don’t worry, it can be easy to forget about servicing your transmission because it doesn’t require servicing very often. However, correct transmission servicing enables your car to run smoothly and for you to not have expensive repair costs later on.
Not many people realize, but the transmission in your vehicle actually handles a lot of stress. In fact, the ‘grit’ that’s present in old transmission fluid is actually little bits of metal that wear off the gears in the transmission. In addition, the transmission performs at high temperatures, around 150 degrees more than the temperatures in your engine, which eventually cause the transmission fluid to break down and loose its efficiency.
As your transmission fluid ages, it gets gritty and looses its ability to lubricate and cool the transmission. This causes the transmission to wear even more. The fluid can also get sludge like and actually plug up the expanse of fluid passages inside the transmission. When this happens, the results can range from your transmission not operate smoothly to costly you a lot of money in transmission damage.
When things are going well for your transmission, it transfers more power to your wheels, and thus improves fuel economy. That’s why vehicle makers suggest changing your transmission fluids regularly. This interval can vary by model and make, and your owner’s manual will have a transmission service schedule, or give us a call and we’ll tell you what the manufacturer suggested schedule.
This recommended schedule can be affected by hot and dusty conditions; towing, hauling, and stop and go conditions, which all increase the load on the transmission. That means you’ll need to change the fluid more often. Here’s a good rule to go by: every 35,000 miles or two years, but if your vehicles manufacturer recommends it or if you’re driving under severe conditions, you will need to change it more often.
A transmission service cost is quite reasonable, when compared with how much a major transmission repair can cost! RC Auto Specialists’ technicians know the right type of transmission fluid to use, so if it’s time to have your transmission serviced, do your car a favor and contact us or make a reservation online and have it done.