Winter is a beautiful time of the year, but it is also a harsh time of the year. This is especially the case when it comes to a vehicle's transmission. As an owner, it's important that you be extra diligent in your efforts to protect your vehicle from costly and permanent damage. Here are just some of the things you can do to protect your transmission this winter.
Start Off Slow
On those especially cold days, start driving slow and give your vehicle a few moments to warm up before you start driving at higher speeds. When it's cold, your transmission fluid will thicken. The problem is that in this thickened state, it can't lubricate the inside of the transmission as it should.
If you start driving too fast before the fluid has warmed and thinned out, you run the risk of damaging some of the internal parts of the unit. While this won't necessarily result in immediate damage. If you make this a regular habit it will eventually lead to costly damage.
Drive Through Snow With Caution
For some reason, an overwhelming number of drivers assume that the best way to get through a patch of snow or ice is to floor it. If you've made this mistake, you know that this just keeps your vehicle in the same position while sending your wheels in a spinning frenzy.
Most modern vehicles operate on computer systems. When they spin, the vehicle assumes it is in motion, forcing it to engage the converter clutch. Once your vehicle starts moving, all the force built-up by the clutch is immediately delivered to the transmission's drive line system. This immediate, high-level of force can cause an overload and lead to the need for transmission repair.
Upgrade Your Transmission Fluid
During the winter, consider upgrading your conventional transmission fluid to a synthetic blend. Synthetic blends are better for your vehicle in the winter. They are able to maintain their consistency even when it's cold. Unlike conventional fluid that gets thicker in colder temperatures, it remains thin and watery-like, ensuring that the internal parts of the transmission remain lubricated.
Just make sure you are speaking with a service technician first to ensure your vehicle can take a synthetic blend as some vehicles can only use a conventional fluid.
Your efforts to protect your transmission during the winter will yield benefits throughout the entire year. Should you encounter a problem with your transmission, ensure you're having it addressed promptly.
Share10 December 2016
My dad was a mechanic, but I never had any interest in cars when I was young. My dream was to become an accountant, and that is what I do for a living today. When I began my career, the stress of my job began to take a toll on me. One day, I visited my dad, and like usual, I talked to him while he was fixing up a car in our garage. He told me to switch places with him and began telling me what to do with them to help him repair the car. After just a half-hour or so, I felt more relaxed than I had in months. The rest is history, as they say, and I am now passionate about automobiles and auto repair. I also find blogging very relaxing, so I decided to combine my favorite hobbies and start an auto blog!
