All Vehicle transmissions whether Manual Gearbox or Automatic Transmission eventually wear out. The best thing you can do is start by choosing a vehicle that has a reputation for durability and holding its price. Do your homework. If you want advice on your vehicle’s transmission Give the team a call at First Gearboxes Auckland and they’ll be happy to help you. The most obvious thing you can do to make your transmission last is to maintain it at the recommended service intervals.
Follow the recommended service intervals for your vehicle
Most vehicle makers recommend changing your transmission fluids every 25,000km as a rule of thumb. However, depending on how you drive and the type of vehicle you choose to drive these intervals can be less. If you are putting a lot of stress on the transmission for example by towing Caravans or Boats you would be wise to shorten the servicing intervals. Speak to First Gearboxes and get their advice on this matter to save yourself big mechanical
Drive in the Correct Gear
If you are one of those drivers that like to use your automatic gearbox like a manual make sure you drive it in the right gear or you can do your transmission damage
Always Check the Transmission Fluid Levels
Get into the habit of checking your transmission oil level when you check your engine oil level - it only takes two seconds. You should be checking your engine oil level every time you put fuel in the vehicle. Most experienced drivers do this because they’ve learned the hard way. Take responsibility and save yourself that big mechanical bill by taking a couple of seconds to check.
Warm Your Vehicle Up Before Driving
Warm up your vehicle for at least a couple of minutes especially in the winter before starting to move. Most wear happens when your vehicle's mechanical parts are cold it, therefore, makes sense to let them warm up first to make your vehicle last. Especially important if you live on a hill or have a steep driveway.
Use the Parking Brake
It’s easy to rely on Park when you’ve stopped your Vehicle on a slope and not used the Hand brake. Always use the handbrake because without it you are placing stress on your transmission
Don’t Ignore Your Vehicle’s Engine
Remember that your Engine and your Transmission work together. Make sure you have your engine regularly serviced especially your cooling system. The major cause of transmission failure is a cooling failure or becoming overheated. If your engine is not cooling efficiently then this in turn places a lot of stress on your transmission. Having a simple cooling system pressure test will tell you quickly if there is maintenance work to be done in this area. Don’t overlook the pipes and hoses in your cooling and Heater system with age they become brittle and risk catastrophic cooling failure and thereby transmission failure.
Check Your Vehicle’s Tires
Make sure you have good tyre pressure. Driving on tyres that have low air pressure creates extra driving resistance and in turn, puts stress on your transmission.
Be Careful When Towing
Towing puts a lot of pressure on your Transmission. If you tow a Boat or Caravan, First Gearboxes recommend you have a Transmission cooler fitted to your vehicle to keep your transmission cooler so it doesn’t overheat and fail. It’s worth it for a few hundred dollars. Better than replacing the transmission at a few thousand dollars.
Never tow something that is more than your vehicle's tow rating if you are not sure look it up online. Manual Vehicles are better for towing.
Flushing the Transmission
Some auto technicians don’t recommend flushing, but others do. The key here is to talk with your Transmission specialist First Gearboxes and find out what best suits your vehicle making sure that you service your vehicle at regular intervals