Please, don't make these mistakes. We want your car to stay up and running for as long as possible!

Most people generally prefer automatic transmission cars because they are easier to drive, especially for those just starting out.

There is no need to shift any gears as you effortlessly drive from point A to point B. However, there are still a few potential pitfalls that can occur if you're not careful. A vehicle's longevity depends largely on us, so let's look at some common automatic transmission mistakes people make and how you can avoid them.

A car's transmission is responsible for transferring the engine's power to the drivetrain and differentiating between speeds. An auto transmission uses a series of hydraulically controlled clutches and bands to engage and disengage gears without any input from the driver.

This means drivers can focus on other things while driving and only have to worry about shifting gears when going up or down a hill. The transmission is filled with a special fluid that keeps it cool and lubricated. The fluid also contains a detergent that keeps the moving parts clean.

Over time, the fluid can become dirty and need to be replaced. The first gear in an automatic transmission is typically low. This gear is engaged when the car starts from a stop. The transmission then shifts to second gear and then third gear as the car's speed increases. The fourth and fifth gears are typically overdrive gears that engage at higher speeds.

This gear helps improve fuel economy by reducing the engine's RPMs. Most automatic transmissions have a torque converter responsible for transferring the engine's power to the transmission. The torque converter is a fluid coupling that uses hydraulic pressure to multiply the engine's torque. The transmission also has a governor that controls the speed of the engine.

The governor is connected to the accelerator pedal and prevents the engine from revving too high. The transmission is controlled by a series of solenoids that direct the flow of hydraulic fluid. The transmission control module controls these solenoids (TCM), a computer that monitors the car's speed and the shifter's position.

When the car is shifted into drive, the TCM sends a signal to the appropriate solenoid, which engages the clutch or band and starts the car in first gear.

As the car accelerates, the TCM sends signals to the other solenoids, which engage the other gears. When the car slows down, the TCM signals the transmission to downshift into a lower gear. The TCM can also engage the transmission's overdrive gear when the car is cruising at a steady speed. Most modern cars have a transmission controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU).

The ECU is a computer that controls the engine and transmission. The ECU receives input from sensors that monitor the car's speed, engine RPM, and accelerator and brake pedal activity. The ECU communicates with the transmission control module (TCM), a computer that monitors the engine's RPMs and transmission. To keep your automatic transmission running smoothly, never do these five things.

Despite the dangers (and often laws!), it's common for people to engage in other activities while driving, such as eating, texting, searching for their favorite music station, or reaching for dropped items. By doing these things, you may accidentally switch from drive to reverse.

This will cause catastrophic damage to your transmission. Some cars have a safety shutoff feature to help protect the transmission if such an incident occurs, but it's not worth risking. In the end, a replacement transmission can cost you a lot of money, so drive safely and avoid such errors.

Fluids in automatic transmission cars expand and contract as they get hot and cold. The transmission has a vent to relieve the built-up pressure. Driving through deep water causes water to be sucked into the vent and into your transmission.

There is nothing worse than having water in your transmission.

You may be able to flush it out if you're lucky. Otherwise, your transmission will be destroyed and will need to be replaced, again costing thousands of dollars.

Burnouts are cool to see and do but can be detrimental to automatic and manual transmissions alike. You could burn out your clutch in a manual transmission. In an automatic car, however, you can lose a piston and break your transmission in an attempt to look cool. You'll also have to spend money on new tires. Luckily, there are apps for finding cheap tires and services when needed.

You wouldn't think something as common as idling could damage your automatic transmission. We've all been there, waiting for things to be delivered to our cars or waiting for a friend to arrive. But, idling with the car in drive, we fail to realize the strain the transmission is under due to the heat produced.

Idling for an extended period is not good for your car. Instead, it's best to shut down the car or even put it in park. By putting the car in park, the transmission is not connected, which reduces the amount of power the torque converter sends, thus reducing heat. This reduces strain on the transmission and prevents unnecessary wear and tear.

There are many ways to make your car run forever. Neglecting to change your fluids is not one of them. Regularly changing your transmission fluid keeps components clean and operating at optimal temperatures. You might think that because you use synthetic fluids, you're good for the life of the car, but this isn't true.

Over time, all oils break down, including synthetics. Synthetics simply last longer. It is important to change the transmission fluid every so often, to prolong the life of your automatic transmission.

Maintaining your automatic car will allow it to last 200,000 miles and even longer. Without a transmission, your car can't go anywhere, so you should avoid mistakes that add unnecessary wear and tear. The takeaway here is to take good care of your automatic transmission, and it will take care of you.

Charles is a car and motorcycle enthusiast and retired robotics engineer who served in the US Navy. In retirement, he spends most of his time writing and riding motorcycles.

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