The winter season makes your vehicle more vulnerable to issues such as a dying battery, freezing fluids, and decreasing tire pressure. The worst effect it has, however, is on your vehicle’s transmission system. Freezing temperatures can cause parts to contract, tight tolerances to become loose, and seals to harden and possibly leak. If you want to avoid transmission failure, here’s how you can counter the effects of winter.

How Does Cold Weather Affect the Transmission?

Extreme cold can cause the transmission fluid to thicken. As a result, it loses its velocity, shift points become delayed, and shifting gets harder. Thicker fluid also translates to poor lubrication of internal parts, causing premature wear. When parts of the system start to contract because of the cold, it could lead to a leak in the fluid line and cause transmission slipping. The greatest problem, however, is when water enters the transmission from melted snow. This could damage the case and valve body. Worse, it creates cracks that could render the transmission nonrebuildable.   

What Can You Do to Protect Your Transmission From Winter?

Try to keep your vehicle protected from the cold by storing it in a warmer environment, such as a climate-controlled garage. Before putting your transmission into gear, make sure the engine is warmed up. Another solution is to use synthetic transmission fluid that matches your vehicle. Synthetic fluids are designed to provide superior lubrication, even in cold weather conditions. It’s also recommended to keep up with your transmission service schedule before winter. With regular service, you can catch minor issues, such as low fluid, gunk, or broken pan gaskets before they get worse.  

The cold can affect your transmission for a variety of reasons, but preventative care can keep your vehicle working strong. For reliable maintenance services, choose Transmission Services in Lincoln, NE. They use the latest diagnostic equipment to offer excellent transmission repair, power steering maintenance, and other services. Give them a call today at (402) 475-3637 to schedule service, or visit their website to learn more about their team.