A Guide On Automatic Transmissions

When buying a car, you must decide whether to get a manual or automatic transmission vehicle. Automatic transmissions have gained popularity in the last several decades. However, what are their benefits? What is their reliability? What are their maintenance protocols? Below is a guide on automatic transmissions. 

What Are The Benefits Of Automatic Transmissions? 

An automatic transmission significantly increases your driving experience. Given that you do not have to engage the clutch and gear every few kilometres, you can arrive at your destination without any fatigue. Automatic transmissions also enhance driver safety. Panic sets in during the onset of an accident, and you are likely to make mistakes. For instance, when driving a manual vehicle, you could engage the wrong gear or step on the clutch, disengaging the gears. With an automatic transmission, all you have to do is concentrate on steering and braking the car. 

If you enjoy the thrill of fast cars, you should consider automatic transmissions. Typically, the vehicles shift their gears faster, allowing the car to pick up speed within a few seconds. This advantage would come in handy when engaging in competitive sports such as drag racing. Finally, automatic transmissions are fuel efficient compared to manual transmissions. Typically, the vehicle's ECU is tuned to shift the car into the most suitable gear. Therefore, you are guaranteed that the vehicle is highly fuel efficient. 

Automatic Transmission Servicing

Proper servicing ensures the longevity of your automatic transmission. First, check the transmission fluid regularly. Low fluid levels indicate leakages. If this is the case, top up the liquid and visit your mechanic immediately. Low fluid levels increase friction inside the transmission. Therefore, you could experience overheating or gear slippage. You must also check the fluid colour. Ideally, transmission fluid should have a reddish colour. A black or greyish colour indicates metal shavings in the fluid. If this is the case, your transmission components could be wearing out. Therefore, you should consider a transmission overhaul. 

Your vehicle's manual prescribes the intervals at which you should flush the transmission and change the fluid. The general principle is to use the recommended transmission fluid. If you use the wrong lubricant, your transmission could overheat or suffer damage. 

Proper driving techniques can also help extend the longevity of your transmission. For instance, you should allow the vehicle to warm in the morning before driving off. You should especially do this during the cold months when the lubricants could have frozen. Moreover, you must drive in the right gear. For example, you should not drive at high speeds when in low or second gear. Finally, do not exceed the recommended towing limits. 

For more information on automatic transmissions, contact a professional near you.