10 Ways to Care for Your Automatic Transmission

By Mister Transmission

Avoid costly transmission repairs. Read Mister Transmission’s 10 tips for keeping a car with an automatic transmission in good condition

Depending on the type of vehicle you drive and its age, transmission repairs can be costly. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid having a transmission repair specialist service your vehicle particularly if you’re subjected to a total breakdown.

But there are things you can do to extend the life of your automatic transmission and prevent transmission failure. Read our checklist of top 10 transmission maintenance tips:

1. Check your transmission fluid periodically. On many cars, light trucks, and SUVs, checking the transmission fluid is as easy as checking the oil: with the engine idling, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, insert it again, wait, then pull it out to get an accurate reading. If the fluid level is low, you may have a leak. The fluid itself should be a bright red colour, clear, and it should smell sweet. If it’s murky, dark coloured, or smells like rotting fish take it to a transmission repair specialist to look things over.

2. Use the right type of transmission fluid. Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine what type of transmission fluid you should use. If after doing so you’re still not sure, pop in to a Mister Transmission and ask a professional.

3. Have your engine’s cooling system serviced. Your vehicle’s cooling system helps prevent the engine from overheating. But did you know it also ensures the transmission fluid pumping through the gearbox is cooled too? It’s more likely you’ll need a transmission repair before your engine completely overheats. Make sure your cooling system is in optimal condition.

4. Get your transmission flushed regularly. Changing the transmission fluid in your car is best left to a professional. Consult your car’s owner’s manual, but in general, get your vehicle’s transmission flushed once a year. How long the transmission fluid in your car will last depends on the vehicle’s operating temperature and how much driving you do.

5. Don’t change gears while your car is moving. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop before changing gears from ‘drive’ to ‘reverse’ or vice-versa. Failing to do so simply puts strain on your transmission and after awhile it can lead to a serious problem.

6. Let your car warm up before you drive. Who among us has hopped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, put the car in drive and motored away? (Full disclosure: I’m as guilty as you are) Always allow your engine a few minutes to warm up before you begin to drive, especially during the winter months.

7. Don’t drive on a spare tire for an extended period of time. Mismatched tire sizes, or driving with a small spare tire over a long period of time is a no-no. Not only will it do damage to other parts of your vehicle such as ruin the wheel alignment, after a while it puts unnecessary strain on the transmission.

8. Regularly change the transmission filter. That’s right: your car’s automatic transmission may have a filter, and it needs to be changed from time to time. Whether or not you’re driving a car that has a transmission filter depends entirely on the make and model. Most newer vehicles don’t have a transmission filter but those that do should be changed each time you get your transmission flushed.

9. Avoid using your vehicle for towing. Using your car to tow heavy loads, particularly in hot temperatures, can cause the transmission fluid to oxidize or burn, and in turn, do a lot of damage to the transmission.

10. Have your transmission inspected annually. Having a certified transmission repair specialist conduct a diagnostic check of your transmission for leaks and other abnormalities at least once a year, as well as checking the transmission fluid’s level, colour, and smell periodically is smart preventative maintenance.

If you are in the Weston neighbourhood in northeast Toronto near the Humber River, or driving on Black Creek Drive south of Highway 401 and are experiencing transmission troubles or suspect you are, call us now at 416-249-1300, or visit us at 1677 Jane Street in North York. Stranded roadside because of a breakdown? Our tow truck is standing by. Our certified transmission repair specialists will get your car back on the road again quickly.

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Customer Reviews
Gary was superb, took time...
Mary D'Alton
Gary was superb, took time to check everything and did not upswell me serviced I did not need. Drained excess oil someone else had put in and my car drove perfectly. So appreciated will return and refer!
Date: September 28, 2023
Website: Google
Amazing experience.
Chris Bennett
Amazing experience.
Date: September 27, 2023
Website: Google
Great customer service . Work...
Chris Kerr
Great customer service . Work done fast and no surprises exelent experience
Date: September 27, 2023
Website: Google
Great reception, great service! Was...
Dennis Fuchs
Great reception, great service! Was given a detailed explanation of what had failed and what it would take to make my Fort Mc runner reliable again. Jamie and his team went beyond what I would call standard service, during the repair his team identified I had a bad battery. Saving me the trouble of finding out later when I probably would not have the resources to boost it. Thanks for your great service and workmanship. Truck is running great and is ready to take me North again. I highly recommend them....
Date: September 26, 2023
Website: Google
Amazing service!
Sarah Taylor
Amazing service!
Date: September 26, 2023
Website: Google
Greg and the team took...
Kyle F
Greg and the team took great care of repairing a complicated transmission issue with my truck. I appreciated the level of service, frequent updates, and honestly from him and the rest of the team. My truck is now running better than ever. Thank you very much!
Date: September 26, 2023
Website: Google
Two garages in California told...
Maxime Lacoste
Two garages in California told us that our transmission needed to be changed. Mister transmission tried our car and said : everything is good. Well, this is a good place to go cause we drove all the way back to Quebec without any problem.
Date: September 25, 2023
Website: Google
Zaffer and the team made...
Chris “Your
Zaffer and the team made an unexpected situation good again. No regular people understand transmissions, so the brevity it takes is an art in itself. On top of the actual skill it took to fix my truck, I thought they cared enough to communicate in my values. The usual stigma of a mechanic shop dictating prices and circumstances to a glazed over customer did not happen I have never been happier to hand over my $$$
Date: September 24, 2023
Website: Google
Fantastic service
Splounch
Fantastic service
Date: September 24, 2023
Website: Google
Fantastic service
Splounch
Fantastic service
Date: September 24, 2023
Website: Google
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