What You Should Know About Your Car's Transmission

When it comes to car parts, many people know the names of the key ones and have a vague idea about what each one does. Some part names explain themselves with their name, like the brakes or fuel pump. Other parts are not so clear, which include the car's transmission. This key part is necessary to shift gears, and it is important to know what it is and how to take care of it.

What Does a Transmission Do?

Your car's transmission has electrical components and any hydraulics that work in unison to shift gears, and can be completely automatic or manually operated by the driver. Every car uses gears, and the transmission plays the role in distributing power for the gears. The gears come together like a puzzle, which help determine how fast your wheels spin. The transmission constantly changes how much power is sent to the car's wheels based on your actions, which is why it plays such an essential role.

If this is confusing to you, here is another example. When the car has been shifted into drive, you press on the gas to move forward, and the transmission is what tells the wheels to rotate at the appropriate rate to go the speed you want to go. When your car has been shifted in park, it will not move forward no matter how much you accelerate by pressing on the gas. This is due to the transmission knowing the car is in park and not sending power to your car's wheels.

Caring for a Transmission

There are several things you can do to take good care of your transmission, which will help it last longer before needing repair or replacement. Start by checking the fluid levels for the transmission. Check it just as frequently as you would check the oil in your car, since a leak or low fluid levels will cause wear and tear on the part.

You should also try to drive in a manner that your speed is consistent. It's the difference between setting your cruise control on the freeway, and constantly speeding up and slowing down, which causes your transmission to shift gears. It's another thing that simply puts more wear and tear on the part, so be mindful of how quickly you accelerate and how often you brake.

A mistake that many people make is shifting from reverse to drive before you come to a complete stop. Doing this strips the gears inside the transmission. You want to come to a complete stop before you shift gears, no matter if you have an automatic or manual transmission.

If you damage your car's transmission, you'll need the professional help from auto services. 

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