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- Don't drive with the fluid low. Check the fluid every month (following the manufacturer's
recommended procedure for your car). Add fluid if necessary before moving the vehicle. Driving with
low fluid can seriously damage your transmission. Note: needing to add fluid is a sign of
a problem, since transmissions don't consume or burn fluid. Have the leak examined before a small
problem becomes a big one.
- Don't shift into "Drive" or "Reverse"
while the engine is still at "Fast Idle". Doing this causes abrupt engagement that leads to premature failure
of internal parts.
- Don't drive until the engine is warm. For your transmission to perform properly
the fluid needs to be at operating temperature. The transmission will last longer if
you give it a minute or two to come up to temperature.
- Don't Downshift to use engine braking
at traffic lights. A forced downshift at high engine RPM causes excessive wear on transmission
components, particularly clutches and bands.
- Don't rock your car to get it unstuck. The excessive heat caused by this can burn out your
transmission very quickly. Dig it out or have it towed. You'll save money.
- Don't tow your vehicle with the wheels on the ground. Driven wheels must be off the ground, or serious damage
may result. This applies to manuals and automatics.
- Don't stop or start suddenly. Both can damage drivetrain components like engine and transmission mounts. These can lead
to internal transmission damage.
- Don't use your shift lever instead of the brake. Shifting into "Reverse" while still moving forward or into
"Drive" while still moving backwards will lead to premature transmission failure. Come to a full and complete
stop before shifting gears.
- Don't leave the shift lever in "Park" without
the parking brake set. If another vehicle were to even bump into yours it could break the
parking pawl, leaving your vehicle to roll away. The transmission would require internal service
to repair the broken pawl.
- Don't play transmission "doctor". Over the counter additives that are supposed to stop leaks or
make the transmission shift better often contain chemicals that cause worn seals to swell. They may work, briefly. But the
damage they will cause will increase your repair bill.
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