All types of driving lead to inevitable wear and tear on your vehicle. Yet there are some driving practices that can have a greater impact on certain components of your car, including the transmission. Here are a few habits you can kick to prevent or delay the need for transmission repair.

5 Driving Habits Linked to a Need for Transmission Repair

1. Getting Stuck in Traffic

Traffic isn’t always avoidable. But if you tend to get stuck bumper-to-bumper in your commute on most days, it may be time to look for an alternate route. Brief stints of quickly stopping and going can exacerbate wear on a transmission by forcing the vehicle to shift gears frequently.

2. Keeping Your Foot on the Clutch

If you drive a manual vehicle, always remove your foot from the clutch after you’re done shifting. Leaving pressure on the pedal can create excess heat between the vehicle’s pressure plate and flywheel.

Similarly, keeping your hand on the shifter can put pressure on the sliders, resulting in premature wear.

3. Driving Downhill or Revving in Neutral

Driving downhill in neutral was a popular gas-saving mechanism for older vehicles. In newer, automatic models, however, it’s an unnecessary means of shifting gears, which will only age your transmission quicker. Also, avoid revving while in neutral, as it can wear the car’s transmission bands.

4. Hitting Reverse Before Stopping

Impatient drivers often switch gears before coming to a complete stop. However, never switch into reverse before you’ve stopped moving. The brakes are responsible for stopping movement, not the transmission, and forcing the transmission to reverse while you’re in motion will wear it down.

5. Shifting Into Park Too Early

Similar to engaging reverse before coming to a complete stop, some drivers shift into park before they’ve completely halted forward momentum. This, too, can hasten your need for transmission repairs. It may compromise the brake locking pin and put excess strain on the transmission.

Even if you’ve avoided the practices above, your vehicle may need transmission repairs after years of routine driving. If you need transmission work, turn to B & B Automatic Transmission in Anchorage, AK. This ATRA-affiliated auto repair shop offers an extensive range of transmission, general, and electrical auto repair work performed by qualified, detail-oriented technicians. See their full list of services online, or call (907) 349-3573 to schedule an appointment.