A manual transmission requires skillful handling. How to avoid costly repairs?
Transmission failures - a key component of any car's powertrain - usually result in costly repairs. However, their risk can be significantly reduced - including in the case of automatic transmissions. It is enough to use it correctly.
Proper use of a manual transmission involves the presence of a clutch, which should be paid attention to when shifting gears. – Push them in as far as they will go so that there is no switching to the so-called. coupling halves, which, as a result, leads to wear of the synchronizers in the transmission, recalls Pavel Kukielka, President of Rycar Bosch Service in Bialystok.
Every motorist must remember that the oil needs to be changed in the gearbox, as well as in the engine. In manual transmission, replacement is recommended every 40-60 thousand. km. In cars older than a decade, you can afford longer replacement runs, reaching even 120. km. In automatic boxes it’s different - you should contact the service, because there are boxes in which the oil is not changed, but only topped up to its condition. Always strictly adhere to the vehicle manufacturer's oil check and change intervals as recommended for your specific model and version.
Check gearbox oil
“Checking the oil level in manual transmissions should be done at least every 60–20 kilometers,” emphasizes Piotr Nalevaiko, head of the Konrys car service in Bialystok. – However, I recommend that you do this at every operational service, on average every XNUMX miles or once a year.
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Mechanics remind you that cars with automatic transmission cannot be towed. In the event of a breakdown that makes it impossible to move the car, use the roadside assistance service. The N position on the shift lever is used to release the wheels during, for example, car repairs, rather than for towing, which will inevitably lead to costly damage to repair.
– When towing a car with a manual transmission, do not forget to leave the lever in the idle position, advises Peter Nalevaiko. – In the case of an automatic transmission, the vehicle is loaded onto the trailer with the gear lever in neutral, ideally with the drive axle raised.
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Costly breakdowns
Incorrect operation of the gearbox after tens of thousands of kilometers can lead to its failure. The most common causes are oil leaks due to failure of rubber sealing elements. Too low a level can jam the box. Leaks, in addition to mechanical damage during driving (for example, hitting a stone), are caused by wear of oil seals and seals. You should pay attention to this during inspections and remove it completely. The warning signal is a drop in the oil level in the gearbox. An oil change in a manual transmission costs PLN 150-300. In the case of a slot machine, it can reach 500 PLN. Replacing the gearbox with a new one costs about 3 to 20 thousand. zloty.
The basics of proper gearbox operation:– always depress the clutch pedal to the end,
– the height during the movement must correspond to the vehicle speed and engine speed,
– first gear and reverse must be engaged with the vehicle stopped,
- do not forget to periodically check the oil level in the gearbox and change it.
