8 Tips To Maintain Your Manual Transmission Like A Pro

Automatic and manual transmissions are the two most popular types of cars. You’ve likely seen a lot of cars with automatic transmissions and fewer with manual ones. It’s not unexpected given that, as more automakers shift towards automatic transmissions, only about 5% of vehicles on US roads have a manual transmission.

Despite the fact that manual transmissions, also known as “stick shifts,” are becoming increasingly rare, many drivers retain a strong preference for them. If you’re in this group, you should know how to maintain your manual gearbox, so it lasts as long as possible and you never have to shell out a lot of money for repairs.

How to properly maintain your manual transmission is covered in detail below:

   1. Check Your Car’s Cooling System Routinely

It could seem out of place to bring up the cooling system while discussing the stick shift. On the other hand, manual transmissions use a fluid that needs to cool down over time. The cooling system in your car is designed to keep the engine nice and cool. 

On the other hand, it keeps the transmission fluid controlled by specific techniques, such as hydraulic vs. electric actuator, as per the need. Also, at an ideal operating temperature

As a result, it is crucial that the coolant be checked on a regular basis. If you see that the coolant level is low, you should fill it up because leaks can occur for internal and external reasons.

  2. Money Shifting

You mistakenly failed to shift into the gear you intended to be in. You are said to have “shifted” your money. Aggressive downshifting is another possible cause. You may have, for instance, switched to the second position from the fourth position. 

As well as putting you in a potentially life-threatening scenario, this causes severe clutch wear.

Every single one of us is susceptible to this at some point. The term “money shift” has some specific meaning that may be lost to the uninitiated. Damage to a manual transmission caused by money shifting is quite expensive to fix. When driving, always use the right gear to prevent expensive repairs that could cost thousands of dollars.

  3. Take Into Account A Transmission Flush

When driving a vehicle with a manual gearbox, you won’t need transmission fluid like you would in an automatic transmission vehicle. However, lubrication with the fluid is still necessary over time. 

There might be serious problems with a manual transmission if it doesn’t get enough oil, therefore, checking the fluid level is essential.

Complete transmission flushes are performed when the transmission fluid reaches a critical level, which must be drained and new fluid installed.

  4. Riding It Out In Neutral

While it’s true that coasting in neutral can conserve fuel, many drivers do so despite the fact that they’re not in complete control of their vehicles. You may not have access to the engine brakes that let you rapidly avoid dangerous circumstances. 

You should select a lower gear and slow down as an alternative to coasting in neutral.

  5. No Engine Braking!

Vehicles can be slowed down using transmission gears (engine braking). When driving a manual transmission vehicle, it is important to avoid using the engine brake whenever possible. 

Too much engine braking can damage your transmission’s gears. You should always use brakes when you need to slow down or stop.

  6. The Transmission Should Be Inspected Once A Year

Whether your car has a manual or automatic transmission, always refer to the owner’s manual for proper maintenance and operation procedures. Transmission specialists advise having your manual gearbox made by high quality injection overmolding inspected once a year to catch any problems in their early detection stages. 

If your mechanic notices anything wrong with the transmission, don’t put it off any longer. If left unattended, the problem could become much worse.

  7. Use Neutral Gear When Moving Slow 

There could be a lot of congestion on city streets if you’re driving your car there. Several auto experts recommend that you put your vehicle in neutral if you anticipate being at a halt for an extended period of time. However, you should never decide to move to the park under any circumstances.

  8. Plan for Regular Maintenance

Scheduling regular tune-ups with a transmission specialist in your region is another wonderful approach to keep your manual transmission in good working order. A vehicle’s clutch and gears will function more smoothly if they are serviced regularly. 

Therefore, it’s important to bring your car in for a transmission repair station on a regular basis. Make sure the station is provided with security cameras by top ptz camera manufacturers so that you know what’s happening in your vehicle in the name of maintenance. 

Following these guidelines will go a long way toward ensuring that your manual transmission serves you well for many miles to come.

Conclusion

If you’re set on keeping your manual-transmission car for the foreseeable future, you’ll need to arm yourself with the knowledge to take care of the transmission properly. You can avoid failures and high repair bills by following the above eight easy steps outlined in this article.

Still, if your manual-transmission automobile is faulty or would cost a lot to fix, you should probably sell it and upgrade. You can obtain the maximum money for your old automatic transmission car if you sell it now, giving you the freedom to try out the fun of driving a manual transmission.