4 ways to keep your transmission healthy this summer

Avoid giving your front foot free rein

When the sun is shining and the weather is nice, it’s tempting to rev the engine and blast down the highway, but this can also be detrimental to your transmission. Stop-and-go traffic is harder on your transmission because you spend a lot of time in lower gears, which tend to have higher revs. That means you’re causing the same extra wear and tear with your front foot. Take the pressure off your car’s transmission and cruise down the road rather than accelerating.

Are you in the habit of checking your engine temperature gauge? If not, make it a new habit. While your car will tell you if the engine temperature is too high, it’s always good to keep an eye on the gauge for subtle changes in engine temperature. That’s because it’s not just your engine health that’s at stake. Your engine and transmission work closely together, so when one overheats, the other likely will, too. So when you hit the road this summer, keep an eye on your dashboard indicator.

Adequate fluid levels ensure proper engine and transmission operation

Another way to help keep your engine and transmission temperatures healthy is to keep a close eye on your fluids. Both engine oil and transmission fluid help keep parts lubricated and prevent overheating due to heat generated by friction. Fortunately, these fluids are easy to check, just open the hood of your car and find the appropriate dipstick.