Transmission repairs can be complex and expensive, particularly in a manual system, so you want to keep this essential car part working smoothly for as long as possible. Here are four preventative maintenance tips to preserve your manual transmission.

How to Care for Cars With Manual Transmissions

1. Don’t Ride the Clutch

After you depress the clutch to change gears, slowly remove your foot from the pedal when the engine engages. If you’re riding the clutch by maintaining slight pressure on the pedal as you drive, you’ll damage the clutch disc, release bearing, and flywheel. Shifting requires a smooth transition from gear to gear to minimize friction and wear.

2. Don’t Haphazardly Downshift When Slowing Down or Stopping

Downshifting involves using resistance to slow the engine speed. If not executed with finesse, it can wear down the clutch. The clutch will fare better if you engage your brakes to decelerate instead.

3. Flush the Transmission Fluid Once a Year

Because the fluid that lubricates the manual transmission loses effectiveness with age, it needs to be changed periodically. Follow the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual regarding intervals at which to flush the transmission fluid. Once a year or every 30,000 miles is the usual rule of thumb.

Also, if you spot a reddish oily residue under your car, it may be leaking transmission fluid. Neglecting a leak may cause the transmission to fail, so have a mechanic diagnose and fix the problem as soon as possible.

4. Have the Transmission Regularly Serviced

If the clutch pedal seems stiff or shifting into gear becomes difficult, take your car to a mechanic to have the transmission inspected. A burning smell may also indicate your clutch is overheating.

Regularly checking your transmission will help you avoid major transmission repairs and ensure your car is safe to drive.

If you need to book an appointment for transmission repair, contact A-1 Auto A/C Specialist & General Auto Repair in Honolulu, HI. Their ASE®-certified automotive professionals are equipped to handle all sorts of servicing needs, including repairs for exhaust and electrical systems as well as inspections and tuneups. Visit them online for more information about their competitively priced tuneups, or call (808) 836-2939 to make an appointment.