Visit A Transmission Shop: Get Ready For Winter
Kingston winters can be hard on vehicles. When temperatures drop, oil thickens, batteries struggle to hold their charge, tire pressure plummets, and alternator belts crack. To combat these issues, many drivers “winterize” their vehicles with synthetic oil, battery upgrades, and snow tires. But few people include transmission services in their winter preparations, and that’s a big mistake.
Your transmission system feels the cold, too, and, as the old saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail!
Today’s post reviews the effects cold weather can have on transmission systems, then shares a few tips to get your gearbox ready for winter. Read on to learn more, or call (613) 542-8057 to speak directly with a transmission expert in Kingston, ON.
How Does Cold Weather Affect My Transmission System?
They say winter is “the most wonderful time of the year,” but maybe not for your transmission system. For starters, cold weather causes certain parts of the transmission to contract, and sometimes the gears can freeze, which leads to slipping.
Extreme cold also causes transmission fluid to thicken, preventing it from moving around freely and lubricating key components. This not only causes internal parts to wear faster, but also forces your engine and torque converter to work harder to push cold, viscous fluid through the cooler lines, which can create excess pressure that leads to leakages or broken seals. And if your transmission fluid is already full of sludge, it only exacerbates these issues.
Finally, winter makes flooding even more destructive. Water can get into your transmission through a crack in the housing, a poor gasket, or a vent, and while it is never a good thing, cold weather makes it even worse, potentially causing water to freeze and expand, which can damage the transmission case and cause cracks in the valve body.
With this in mind, it is no exaggeration to say that winter can wreak havoc on your transmission system. However, all these transmission issues are preventable, and John’s Auto Service is here to help.
Read on to learn some best practices for winter transmission care, or call (613) 542-8057 to speak directly with a transmission shop near you.
Winterize Your Transmission System: 5 Tips To Stay Safe In The Cold
- Store your vehicle indoors whenever possible to keep the temperature up
- Visit your local transmission shop to make sure your transmission fluid is clean and ready for the added demands of winter
- Visit your local transmission shop to check your seals to prevent leaks, flooding, and contamination from winter hazards (e.g. salt, grit, slush)
- Give your engine time to warm up and your transmission gears times to expand from their contracted state before you drive, especially if you’re making a very short trip
- Ask your local transmission shop about switching to synthetic transmission fluids, which are designed to work better in the cold
Get A Free Quote In Kingston, ON
Since 1988, John’s Auto Service has been helping drivers keep their transmission systems in shape. We work with all types of vehicles and transmissions, and every service is backed by a 24-month / 40,000km warranty.
To book a free consultation and get a quote on any transmission service, you can:
- Call (613) 542-8057
- Fill out our online contact form
- Drop by our transmission shop at 45 Harvey Street in Kingston