An automatic transmission can last a long time, but 9 driver mistakes kill it prematurely. Here's what to avoid.
Automatic gearboxes installed in modern cars are known for their high reliability. However, their lifespan in practice largely depends on specific operating conditions. There are mistakes that car owners make that accelerate wear and breakdown of the automatic gearbox.
The first mistake is using the car in cold weather without warming up the automatic gearbox. Low temperatures cause the oil to thicken, which is supposed to prevent friction of the transmission components. It stops performing the lubrication function.
If you don't warm up the automatic gearbox before driving in winter, the hydraulic block and friction clutches will wear out quickly. The transmission oil will overheat excessively, and there will be difficulties with gear shifting.
To warm up, simply start the engine and let it idle for no more than 10 minutes. After that, you can drive slowly. The main thing is not to accelerate sharply, allowing time for the transmission oil to reach operating temperature.
The second mistake is switching between automatic gearbox modes without waiting for the car to come to a complete stop.
When automatic gearbox modes are switched, the servo drive activates, clutches switch, and other complex processes take place. If you switch gears while the car is still moving, the load on the working mechanisms will be greater.
Drivers should make it a rule to switch gears only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Otherwise, the hydraulic block, locking mechanism may be damaged. It is especially important to adhere to this rule when switching between mode D and mode R.
When the Kick-down mode is activated, the shift to a lower gear occurs forcibly. Thus, the car accelerates sharply. There are car owners who activate the "kick-down" mode quite often, hoping it will improve dynamics. In reality, frequent use of this mode increases the load on the transmission.
It's more reasonable to use the Kick-down mode in non-standard situations (e.g., the need to overtake another vehicle or quickly gain speed uphill).
When driving in city conditions where there are no emergencies, it is better not to activate Kick-down to avoid oil overheating, clutch wear, and damage to planetary mechanics.
Also, avoiding unjustified use of the "kick-down" mode will help preserve the torque converter.
A car with an automatic transmission cannot be towed at high speeds or long distances. This is another mistake that will result in needing to repair or replace the automatic gearbox.
If the N mode is engaged during towing, the pump does not work, and constant transmission oil pressure is not maintained. The friction of the components against each other becomes stronger, significantly increasing the risk of breakdown.
To avoid premature failure of bearings and other parts, a car with an automatic gearbox should be towed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.
Transmission oil in an automatic gearbox is needed not only for lubricating friction elements. Without it, normal hydraulic processes, cooling, and torque transmission are impossible.
Over time, this oil performs its functions worse, heats up significantly, and becomes contaminated. Drivers who do not change the oil and filters on time risk facing situations where the hydraulic block malfunctions, gears slip, and the automatic gearbox overheats.
Oil and filter change intervals should be correlated with the way the vehicle is used. If it is often used in the city, frequently stuck in traffic, exposed to other loads, then oil and filters should be replaced 1.5-2 times more frequently than the manufacturer advises.
When heated above 120°C, the oil used for lubricating transmission components loses its properties. At 150°C, it oxidizes and breaks down. Additives that prevent metal wear fail to fulfill their function. The result is the overheating of the automatic gearbox.
Failing to consider the oil temperature sensor readings in the automatic gearbox (if such a sensor is present in the car) is another mistake.
When temperature values approach the upper limit of the norm, you should not continue driving. It is better to make a stop. This will allow the gearbox to cool down and not break down on the road.
To preserve an automatic gearbox during frequent overheating, you can install an additional cooling radiator.
Some drivers, when stuck in traffic or at traffic lights, often engage mode N. They do this to minimize the load on the automatic gearbox.
This mistaken action leads to the opposite result. The load on the selector mechanism and hydraulic block, on the contrary, increases.
Drivers should get into the habit of not switching from mode D if the car stops for no more than half a minute (do not release the brake pedal in this case). If you need to stop for more than 30 seconds, you can engage mode N. The main thing is not to make this switch very often.
Drivers who use the manual gear shift function incorrectly (or too often) risk causing the automatic gearbox to fail.
Manual gear shifting should only be done if the situation requires it. For example, when descending a hill. If you use manual control when it is not necessary, the automatic gearbox will overheat, and the friction clutches and hydraulic block will fail.
The risk of such problems is particularly high when manual gear shifting occurs at high RPMs.
The CVT differs from the classic automatic gearbox in that it reacts more "sharply" to rapid acceleration, high temperature, and towing.
Therefore, when driving a car equipped with a CVT, drivers should avoid rapid acceleration, refrain from towing trailers when possible, and avoid overheating the gearbox during long drives at high RPMs.
If these recommendations are not followed, the belt may slip, and there may be a breakdown of the pulleys and the entire transmission.