Summer is the best time to get behind the wheel and hit the open road, but the hot weather and increased use can take a toll on your car's key components. Chief among the parts affected is the transmission, which works hard to handle the demands of the season. Before the summer fun begins, here are a few transmission maintenance steps to make sure all your rides go smoothly.  

Summer Transmission Maintenance Tips

1. Watch How & Where You Drive

It’s tempting to hit the road at full tilt, venturing through exciting terrain in search of new summer thrills. Think about how all of these decisions impact your transmission and other components, though. Stop-and-go traffic is bad enough; but if you vacation in a hilly area or drive at high speeds with sudden stops, your car is more prone to unexpected transmission problems. Constantly changing gears up and down hills will lead to more wear and tear on your transmission, and abrupt stops can damage the drivetrain and lead to costly repairs. 

2. Check Your Fluid

Generally speaking, most drivers only need to flush their transmission fluid every 100,000 miles, but you should still get it inspected before summer hits. Proper transmission fluid maintenance is important, especially since it acts as a coolant in automatic transmissions. This added layer of protection makes a huge difference during the hot summer months, and a fully functioning transmission will handle all of the extra work you throw its way. If the fluid appears dark and has a burnt smell to it, have it flushed and replaced as soon as possible. 

3. Schedule Professional Maintenance

Even if your fluid looks fine, schedule professional transmission maintenance before the summer is in full swing. They won't just check the fluid, but they will also replace filters as necessary and help you adhere more closely to your manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. 

The more careful you are while driving this summer, the better your transmission will perform. Drivers throughout the Cincinnati and Sharonville areas have turned to Mr. Transmission for their transmission maintenance needs for over 50 years. The Cincinnati, OH, location alone has been in business for 15 years, and it's still the city’s only AAA®-approved transmission shop. Visit them online for more details about their services, and give them a call today at (513) 769-3111 to schedule an appointment.