Automatic transmissions are one of the essentials of any modern vehicle, that provides smooth shifting, plus ease of driving, is always a gold standard to look forward to. Like any other part of your car, however, the automatic transmission also requires proper care and maintenance to perform optimally and last longer. In this all-inclusive guide, we shall discuss key tips on extending the life span of your automatic transmission, as well as professional advice about automatic transmission repair in Abu Dhabi.
Understanding Automatic Transmissions
Before we can discuss some maintenance tips, let’s touch on how automatic transmissions work. An automatic transmission relies upon a pretty complex system of gears, sensors, and hydraulics to automatically change gears based on speed and load. The system relies on various fluids – the primary one being transmission fluid, which has three functionalities: lubricating moving parts, cooling the transmission, and hydraulic pressure to engage and disengage gears.
Signs of Transmission Problems
The early detection of transmission problems’ warning signals is critical to prolong the life of your automatic transmission. Some of them include:
- Gear Slipping: Transmission lurches or slips out of gear at times.
- Delayed Engagement: Takes a noticeable time when shifting from park to drive or reverse.
- Noises: Grinding, whining, or clunking when shifting gears.
- Leaks: Red or brown puddles under the vehicle from transmission fluid leaking.
- Warning Lights: The transmission or check engine light comes on the dashboard.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek automatic transmission repair in Abu Dhabi immediately to prevent further damage and repairs.
Prolonging Automatic Transmission’s Lifespan
1. Check for Fluid Leakages and Changes
One of the most important aspects to maintaining your automatic transmission is the fluid’s level as well as condition. Always check the fluid level and color.
- Fluid Level Check – You can check the fluid level by using the dipstick, which you can usually find near the back of the engine. You must top it off with the recommended fluid type for your vehicle if it gets low.
- Check Fluid Color: Excellent quality transmission fluid is a clear red. If it appears dark or burned, it is time to change the fluid.
Most manufacturers recommend changing the fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, but always check the owner’s manual of the car for specific requirements. Fluid changes regularly can eliminate contaminants and reduce wear on parts in the transmission.
2. Use the Right Transmission Fluid
The type of fluid used should be the right one to achieve optimal performance. Different vehicles have different fluids and misuse may result in failure of the transmission. Consult your owner’s manual on what your car manufacturer recommends. Quality synthetic fluids often protect a lot longer than regular fluids do; and if you can afford it, consider using them for your automatic transmission.
3. Maintain Driving Habits
Your driving style can really take a toll on your automatic transmission. Here are a few tips on adopting better driving habits.
- Do Not Accelerate Suddenly or Jerk to a Halt: Accelerating harshly and braking approximately because both put a lot of pressure on the gear system. Drive slowly and smoothly.
- Do Not Tow Beyond Capacity: Do not tow anything over capacity if your vehicle wasn’t designed for towing. More load damages the gear system.
- Gear: While driving in the hilly areas, use an appropriate gear so that the vehicle will not overload the transmission. If your vehicle has a tow/haul mode, utilize it while needed.
4. Cooling System
The transmission requires a cooling system for its parts not to overheat. This is one of the leading reasons why the transmission failures. Here are some tips on the maintenance of the cooling system:
- Check the Radiator: Ensure that the radiator is in good working condition because it cools the fluid in your transmission.
- Transmission Cooler: Some cars have a separate cooler for the transmission. Check that it is clean and working effectively.
- Flush Cooling System: Regularly flush the cooling system to remove pollutants and increase performance.
5. Routine Maintenance Programs
Automatic transmission mileage can increase with regular maintenance. Apart from changing the fluid, you should take your car for the transmission check to proper workshops by a professional technician like Drums Auto Services. We will identify a problem before it becomes catastrophic. Choose the proper service center like ours specialized in gearbox repair in Abu Dhabi to enjoy the best practices to your vehicle.
6. Pay attention to warning signs
Every time you sense any warning lights that indicate the existence of transmission problems, do not dismiss them. The sooner the problem gets taken to the garage, the less likely it is to be big problems later on. Just check for odd noises, slipping, and fluid leakages and bring it to a professional if necessary.
7. Practice Smooth Shifting
For vehicles equipped with a manual mode or paddle shifters, smooth shifting should be practiced to avoid undue wear on the transmission. As you can understand, abrupt shifting causes friction and heat will lead to premature wear. However, if you are not so practiced in shifting manually, leave it in automatic mode until you become more confident.
8. Avoid Riding the Brakes
The added weight of one’s foot on the brake pedal at stoplights or slow-moving traffic puts undue wear and tear on the transmission and tends to cause it to overheat. Instead practice of keeping your foot on the brake pedal at stoplights or during slow traffic that reduces the stress on the transmission. This small practice can help significantly to reduce stress on the transmission.
9. Maintain Vehicle Clean
Keeping your car clean inside and out can contribute to the durability of your automatic transmission. Regularly wash the undercarriage and engine bay regularly to remove dirt and debris that can cause overheating. It also prevents rust and corrosion, which can damage several parts, including the automatic transmission.
10. Drive Safely Under Extreme Weather Conditions
More wear and tear can be done on your automatic transmission due to heavy traffic or extreme weathers. There are some precautions you can take when you know that you’ll be driving in such conditions:
- Be Hydrated: Ensure that the fluid level of your transmission is accurate and in fine condition.
- Break: In case there’s stop-and-go traffic, you can pull over for a few minutes to let the transmission cool down.
When to Call a Professional
Even with the best maintenance practices, issues can still arise. There is a time when professional help is needed for problematic automatic transmissions. Here are some scenarios that call for a specialist:
- Fluid Leaks: If you spot red or brown puddles under your vehicle, then it’s time to get it checked.
- Flashing lights: If the transmission warning light is flashing do not ignore this. Demand a diagnostic check as soon as you can.
- Recurring Problems: The following problems may indicate that your automatic transmission in Abu Dhabi needs to be repaired if these keeps occurring such as slipping, delayed engagement, or other unusual sounds.
Choosing the right service center
Automatic transmission demands very special care and attention when it comes to a proper transmission repair service center. Here are some things you’d like to consider in selecting your service center for your automatic transmission:
- Experience and Expertise: Your goal is to work with a service center like Drums Auto Services which carries a reputation for quality automatic transmission repair. Our experience helps you stay up to date with all the different makes and models, ensuring your vehicle is in good hands.
- Advanced Diagnostic Equipment: We will have access to the advanced diagnostic equipment so that you can identify issues in your transmission as quickly as possible.
- Quality Parts and Fluids: Ensure that the quality of parts and transmission fluids used is suitable for replacement from a reputable manufacturer.
- Customer Reviews: Doing research on customer reviews and testimonials would give a view of the kind of service the center is giving out. Good or positive reviews may indicate the level of reliability and professionalism.
- Warranty and Warranties: A reputable workshop like Drums Auto Services assures you that all the spare parts, as well as labor, have warranties so you can be assured of the quality of the transmission repair.
Conclusion
Prolonging your automatic transmission requires such regular maintenance, good driving habits, and swift action taken when any issues arise. And therefore, with the guide above, you can maintain your transmission for many years to run sufficiently and with a smooth ride. If you suspect any issue in automatic transmission or routine maintenance, proper care and great expertise, you can enjoy being driven reliably and efficiently. Just remember that you will not spend much on repairs tomorrow by investing today; therefore, keep the vehicle fit for all your journey adventures on the roads of Abu Dhabi. Call us at +971 50 946 6200 to know more about gearbox and automatic transmission repair in Abu Dhabi.