finding the problem with a car that doesn't always start

Your transmission plays a very important role in helping you get from one place to another each day. Unfortunately, if you are like many vehicle owners, you may overlook this important part until you start to experience problems, such as slow acceleration or slipping gears. The good news is, you can actually prevent many of these common transmission problems through the use of preventative maintenance. Below you will learn more about both the long term and short term maintenance that your transmission will require in order to prevent frequent repairs.

Maintaining Proper Fluid Levels

Your transmission requires a very specific amount of transmission fluid to function properly. If the fluid levels in your transmission get too low, the gears inside your transmission will experience an increase in friction which can cause the metal to wear down and eventually cause the gears to start slipping. On the other hand, if your transmission has too much fluid, the gears will be unable to grip each other properly and you will not be able to shift between gears as the car accelerates or decelerates.

In order to ensure your transmission has the proper amount of transmission fluid at all times, it is important to check your fluid levels on a regular basis while the vehicle is at operating temperature. If you are not comfortable performing this task on your own, you can simply choose to have your transmission fluid checked each time you take your vehicle in for an oil change.

Replacing Your Transmission Fluid And Filter

Over time, your transmission fluid will pick up a significant amount of debris which causes the fluid to become thick and clog the filter inside your transmission. When this happens, your transmission can seize and you will be unable to move your vehicle until the transmission is either repaired or replaced. This can be a very time consuming and expensive repair to undertake. Thankfully, you can help to prevent this serious issue with a simple maintenance process known as a transmission flush.

A transmission flush involves the removal of all old transmission fluid, as well as your transmission filter. The system is then flushed in order to remove any debris and mineral deposits on the walls of the transmission and a new filter and fluid are added.

Most vehicles will not require their first transmission flush until the vehicle reaches 100,000 miles. However, you should always refer to the owner's manual that accompanied your vehicle in order to determine when the best time is to perform this maintenance.

For more information, contact companies like Budget Automotive Center.