8 Tips to Take Care of Your Car's Automatic Transmission

It is increasingly common for new cars to integrate automatic transmission, as it offers modernity, ease and comfort in driving, however, being such an advanced system, it can be accompanied by special care that will prevent it from being damaged or suffering. damage. That is why below we bring you a series of recommendations to preserve the useful life of your vehicle's automatic transmission.

The automatic transmission is a gear or speed change system, which works in an automated way, controlling the direction, speed and movement simultaneously, through oils and gears. Its mechanism is composed of a hydraulic system, a hydrodynamic torque converter, and a modulator.

Cars that include automatic transmissions do not have a clutch pedal (also known as a clutch), and their lever or bar has letters instead of numbers. Generally, these alphabetical references indicate the following:

• P: (Park), it locks the gearbox preventing the car from moving, even on slopes.
• A: It refers to reverse or reverse gear.
• N: It is a neutral point in which no gear is engaged.
• D: (Drive) It is the position of march or advance.

The automatic transmission has some advantages, such as the simplicity of handling, its functionality in ups and downs, the security it provides by having a simpler system, among others. However, it also has some drawbacks, for example, its purchase cost, and high repair values. Hence the importance of taking proper care of this mechanism.

How to Care for the Automatic Transmission?

1. Check the transmission fluid regularly. This must have the right size and color. The good condition of this liquid is essential, as it is responsible for cooling and lubricating the entire system. This liquid should have a sweet smell, and its color should be bright red, if not, it is a sign that it should be replaced.
2. When you're driving, don't shift gears until the car comes to a stop. If you change directly from Drive to neutral, for example, you are using the transmission to stop the vehicle and not the brakes, which represents unnecessary wear on the mechanism, leading to irreversible damage to the automatic transmission.
3. Do not use neutral during traffic light pauses. When this mode is applied, the capabilities to carry out emergency maneuvers are reduced, in addition, if the bar is in neutral when you start again, the engine will accelerate and fuel will be burned.
4. Avoid keeping the gas tank low on fuel. As we know, it is never good to drive under these circumstances, and even more so when our car integrates an automatic transmission, since the fuel helps to lubricate different parts of the system. If the fluid level is minimal, the parts will wear out much faster.
5. Do not use spare tires for long periods of time. this not only affects the alignment of the wheels, but also puts extra and useless pressure on the transmission.
6. Make sure that the vehicle's cooling system works optimally. as this not only prevents the engine from overheating. but also cools the transmission fluid.
7. Wait for your car to warm up before starting it. Ideally, we start the car and hope that it is at least 1000 revolutions per minute. It is recommended to do this because the mechanism is cold, and the higher the revolutions, the stronger the hit to the clutches.
8. Perform regular transmission oil changes. Look in the manual of your vehicle in what interval of time or mileage it should be done, as this will guarantee a very good durability. Generally, this should be carried out every 60 thousand kilometers.