Maintenance Tips for Cars with Automatic Transmission

Automatic transmission is one of the best features for beginners and for the people who get into trouble  with changing gears and controlling the clutch. It allows the driver to run without using any clutch and gears. Changing of gears in an automatic transmission system will be an automatic activity as per the speed of the vehicle. This is one of the most expensive parts of a car. Therefore, maintenance of automatic transmission is important. In some automatic transmission system longevity influencing factors are controllable and some are not. In this article, we will discuss what we can do for the longevity of automatic transmission system.

• Maintenance of filters: Filters are one of the important components to stop unrelated material. So maintenance of filters for transmission system is very essential. The transmission filter stops harmful materials from entering the hydraulic system. These can increase cause scoring, wear and sticking of hydraulic control valves. The car's automatic transmission filter have to be changed periodically. The period to change the fluid can be mention in the owner's manual.

• Flywheel or flexplate: The flexplate or flywheel stays attached to the engine's crankshaft. It serves as a torque converter. These can transmit engine torque to torque converter housing. Generally the flexplate or flywheel does not need regular maintenance. If the ring gear has facing any issue with improper starting or improper alignment the flywheel or ring gear needs to be replaced.

• Torque converter: The torque converter supplies torque to the transmission's input shaft. It sends in two separate ways as mechanical input and hydraulic input. The transmission fluid in the torque converter may become dry because of its heat. So when it become dry,  need to change the fluid. The problems with the torque converter can be within the torque converter or in the converter clutch. It is a very complex system, so if you find any problems in the torque converter check with the qualified transmission specialist.

• Transmission pan gaskets and sealing: The leakages in the clutch packs, accumulators and servos will prevent by the internal seals. The leakage of fluid outside will prevent by the external seals. The transmission or transaxle case seals by the oil pan gasket. Rough shifts, slipping, no vehicle movement in reverse or forward, loss of some gear seal are the symptoms of internal seal leakage. Frequent topping-off of the transmission fluid level, burning oil smell from underneath the car, reddish brown spots in your parking or driveway place are the symptoms of  transmission or transaxle oil pan gasket or leaking external seal. If you see any of these problems do not neglect and go to a technician to repair otherwise they will become big.

If the transmission fluid change period is not mention in your owner's manual, change it for 10,000 KM or before it becomes dirty or dark. If any specified fuel in the owner's manual use it, or check with your technician when not mention in the owner's manual.