Your transmission is a crucial part of your drivetrain and
can be extremely costly to fix. A new clutch can run anywhere from
$1,200-$1,500 and a new automatic transmission can run $3,000 plus.
Transmission troubles can mean a huge hit to the pocket book. We are here to
give you 5 ways to help extend the life of your transmission.
- Change Transmission Fluid: Be sure to check your owner’s manual or ask your service advisor how often they recommend changing your Transmission fluid. Most recommend every 15,000 miles or at least once per year. Your transmission fluid works just like the oil in your engine (please do not put engine oil in your transmission) by lubricating the gear for better performance and less wear. As your fluid gets dirty you increase wear and risk overheating.
- Pick The Right Gear: Weather you have a manual or automatic, it is important to select the right gear for your driving conditions. Make sure you are using your lower gears when climbing hills, off-roading, or towing. Only use overdrive when you are driving at highway speeds. Follow these simple rules and you will reduce strain and wear on your transmission.
- Use Brakes Not Gears: When you downshift to slow your vehicle you are putting significant stress on your transmission gears. Brake pads are much cheaper than transmission maintenance, so it’s a good idea to use your breaks first when slowing your vehicle.
- Warm Your Car Up: Those cold Colorado mornings can be tough on your transmission if you don’t take the time to let the fluid warm up. It is good practice to let your car warm up and drive gently the first 2-3 miles. Don’t peel-out or do any doughnuts.
- Watch For Overheating: Whatever you do, do not ignore your transmission overheating. If you are experiencing overheating in your transmission bring it in for service right away. For every 20 degrees over 200 degrees, your transmission’s lifespan decreases by a factor of 2. If this becomes a consistent problem your service adviser may recommend a transmission cooler be installed.
Be safe out there and take good care of your vehicle and it
will take care of you. If you have any questions at all please call our service
department or stop by and ask one of our Chevy Certified Service Advisers. Our
extremely knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and help you get
the most out of your vehicle. Check out our Chevy service specials and schedule your next service appointment online.
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