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Having transmission repairs done can be a
costly, nerve-wracking experience. So, here are some steps you can take to save
money and reduce anxiety.
1. Use these
good driving techniques.
A. After starting the engine, allow the idle speed to
come to normal before shifting
into drive or reverse. Shifting while the engine is idling
fast can cause transmission
and drive train failure.
B. Avoid fast acceleration from low speeds.
C. When caught in heavy traffic, shift into neutral to
minimize the danger of
overheating the transmission. When you shift back to drive,
wait to feel the
transmission engage before accelerating.
D. Avoid using your car to push another car.
E. Avoid driving with one foot on the brake and the
other on the accelerator pedal
2. Maintain a routine maintenance
schedule. It pays!
A. When in doubt,
check it out! It costs you little or nothing to have a competent
mechanic check your
car, from time to time, to determine whether defects exist or
the vehicle is
roadworthy and safe.
B. Your driving
conditions are considered "severe" if you drive
- more than 15,000 miles a year
- in stop-and-go traffic
- on snow and ice
- in dusty and dirty conditions
- in temperatures above 90º F
- on hilly or mountainous terrain
- or sometimes tow a trailer or a boat
Have
your transmission filter and fluid changed at least every 15,000!
C. If
your driving conditions are not "severe", a good rule of thumb
is to change your
filter and fluid once a year.
3. Most late model cars and
especially commercial trucks, can benefit from installing a
18,000 to
28,000 G V W (Gross Vehicle Weight Rated) transmission cooler. (Before you
need a transmission).
4. If
you develop a leak have it fixed immediately, you do not want to drive it
low on
transmission fluid and burn up your clutches.
5.
This
one is a little different, but very important. If you own a 1988-on ford
truck with a
4 or 6 and some 8 cylinder size engines and 5 speed M50D
transmission. This tip can
save you a lot of money. This is a good
transmission, except the dealer put three
rubber plugs in the back of the
top shifter cover. After a short period of time
they
leak. Often to the
point where the transmission gears melt. Now just pull those rubber
plugs
out of there. Now tap in 5/8 freeze plugs. Make sure your transmission is
full of
lube. Now your transmission should live a lot longer, and you can
spend your 950.00
to about 1350.00 on something else.
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