MAINTENANCE

When Should I Service My Transmission?

Few things in life involve as much mystery and anxiety as automotive service.

One of the most frequently asked questions is "When should I service my transmission?" This can vary depending on driving conditions. Leon’s recommends consulting your owners manual on service intervals. While some manufacturers maintain their vehicle’s require no tranmission service, Leon’s suggests you service the transmission every 30,000 miles.

Heat is the number one cause of failures in transmissions. The transmission oil is critical for lubricating the transmission and reducing friction. When the fluid breaks down and loses its viscosity, it no longer effectively lubricates the transmission. This causes premature and excessive wear and results in transmission failure.

Temperatures and terrain are factors

The local climate greatly affects the mechanical operation and your vehicle can be forced to work harder when necessary. Temperatures in Southern California are high throughout most of the year. Some areas of Los Angeles are very hilly, and often we are in stop and go traffic, which is the hardest on your automobile. All of these factors contribute to the necessity of regular maintenance of your car.

Manual transmissions can go a little further between services. If services have not been performed on a regular basis on high mileage vehicles, we advise owners to service their cars as soon as possible. It is best to call or drop by "The Old Reliable" and talk to one of our service advisors.