How well do you care for your vehicle? If you are like most folks, you might not think twice about car care unless your vehicle starts to break down. While car care can seem difficult for many people to master, the fact of the matter is that it is important to think long and hard about what you want and how you want your car to appear later on. I started making taking care of my cars a priority years ago, and the difference it made in my life was amazing. I was able to really streamline auto care in a new way, and it felt amazing. On this website, find out great tips for looking after the cars that you love.
The Two C's of Transmission Leaks: Cause and Control
Transmission fluid prevents the transmission from overheating, keeps all the gears lubricated, and conducts energy from the engine to power the drive wheels. It is safe to say that transmission fluid keeps the transmission healthy. As a result, when a vehicle is leaking this essential red or green colored fluid, it can often spell big trouble.
1. Cause
A transmission fluid leak can begin for a long list of reasons. However, some common scenarios are often to blame.
Seal Damage: The valves that the fluid travels through are safeguarded by a series of seals. Over time, it is natural for these seals to fail, and once this process begins, a tiny amount of transmission fluid begins to seep out. Until the seals are replaced, the leak will continue, and often get worse.
Pan Leak: Wear and tear can also cause a leak to form in the pan, which is the attachment designed to hold the transmission fluid. However, since the pan is exposed, rocks and other debris on the road can also puncture the pan. With a pan leak, you often notice large amounts of fluid drops on the ground.
Transmission Gap: In some instances, the problem is with the construction of the transmission itself. For example, if a manufacturing defect left a tiny gap around the seals, pan, gasket, or other transmission components, some of the fluid could leak out. Keep in mind; however, this problem is most often found in brand new vehicles or those with a rebuilt transmission.
2. Control
The best way to control, and prevent, a costly transmission leak is to be proactive. For example, each time you have your oil changed, make sure the technician is also checking the transmission level.
If there is a significant drop between the level at the last oil change and the current level, you know you have a problem on your hands. You should also make it a priority to have the transmission fluid changed routinely.
Once the fluid resembles a black or brown color, it has reached its point of expiration and you are a greater risk of a leak. If you typically change the oil in your vehicle yourself and have not checked your levels or you have not had the transmission fluid changed, it is a good idea to visit a transmission professional just to be safe.
If you suspect you have a transmission leak, make sure you visit a transmission shop as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse.