Expert tells about drivers' mistakes leading to transmission failure

Modern automatic transmissions with torque converter are reliable and durable if properly maintained and operated. But some actions of car owners can "kill" even the strongest unit, told "Izvestia" head of car service FIT SERVICE "Paveletskaya" Alexander Goman December 27.

According to him, the fastest way to breakdown or failure of the automatic gearbox (AKPP) leads to improper use of the car.

"If the car has high ground clearance and automatic transmission with switchable four-wheel drive, then you should not expect feats from it and go to conquer impassable roads. Some people confuse city parketnik with Jeep Wrangler or Uazik, where there are hard locks", - he specified.

The expert added that ordinary modern cars with high ground clearance can overcome curbs, successfully pass through snow mush, but it does not mean that they can be extremely off-road, easily pass serious obstacles or go to the mountains. Most often, such cars are equipped with standard automatic transmissions, which are not ready for feats at all.

"With such extreme operation, the automatic transmission fluid overheats, the pump stops working effectively, and the pressure drops. When critical temperature occurs, frictions can be damaged, sometimes inter-axle differentials as well. This leads to subsequent mechanical damage," Goman emphasized.

In addition, he noted that most transmissions on any car do not like sudden accelerations, when drivers often practice "pedal to the floor". Any daredevilry on a car with a standard automatic transmission leads to a decrease in the resource of the unit. It is forbidden to tow a car with a faulty box or a leak. Towing other cars and using trailers on those models where it is not provided can end badly. All these actions lead to overheating of transmission fluid and further negative consequences, the expert explained.

"Non-compliance with the timing of transmission fluid replacement is another frequent cause of problems with the automatic transmission. Until now, drivers who have never changed the fluid in the box at all may come to the service station. This error leads to loss of oil performance properties, the appearance of sludge, which clogs solenoids and hydroblock. Frequency of replacement is prescribed by the car manufacturer and depends on the operating conditions of the car. Most often we recommend to change the oil in automatic transmission every 30-40 thousand kilometers. Insufficient oil level or its excess also leads to various problems with the transmission," - concluded Goman.

Earlier, on December 20, experts of SberAuto service told Izvestia that not all modern systems in cars are equally useful on the roads around the world. Speaking about the options that can be abandoned by motorists in the Russian Federation, the experts noted the parking autopilot. According to them, this system does not always cope with narrow yards and non-standard parking spaces, which abound in small Russian cities. At the same time, they emphasized the value of such a function as automatic emergency braking. The system reacts independently to the danger of a collision if the driver is distracted.