How to Prevent Damaging Your Transmission

Don't Drive Until Your Vehicle Warms-up.
In cold weather, allow your vehicle to warm up before driving off.  Your transmission fluid must be warm to operate properly.

Don't Idle Too Fast.
Vehicles set to idle faster than the manufacturer's recommendations can develop harsh band and clutch engagement which can increase wear, snap shafts and even break planetary gears.

Don't Use Your Shift Instead of Your Brake.
While backing up, with the transmission in “Reverse,” be sure not to suddenly slam the shift into “Drive” in response to an unexpected obstacle or hazard. Use the brakes instead.

Don't Doctor Your Transmission.
Treating your transmission without professional help can be fatal to your transmission. Discount store remedies that swell worn seals or remove varnish, for example, can also interfere with the functioning of internal parts that can lead to even more severe transmission damage.

Don't Downshift to "Brake" at Traffic Lights.
Downshifting to stop at traffic lights can quickly wear out or damage a transmission over time.

Don't Make Sudden Stops.
Sudden stops, like sudden starts, can break motor mounts. In turn, broken motor mounts can cause transmission damage. If you have had to make a sudden emergency stops to prevent a collision or to avoid a road hazard, take your vehicle to a repair shop and have your motor mounts checked.

Don't Tow Car with Drive Wheels on Ground.
If your car has a rear wheel drive, always have it towed backwards with the rear wheels hoisted off the ground.
If your vehicle has front wheel drive, only have it towed forward with front wheels hoisted off the ground. If towing a front wheel drive auto has to be towed backwards for some reason, make sure the drive shaft is disconnected before car is towed.

Don't Burn Rubber.
If you power brake--holding down the brake peddle with the vehicle in drive while gunning the engine and quickly releasing the brake to squeal the tires—you’ll break your transmission.

Don't Rock Your Car.
Instead of rocking a vehicle to free it from sand or snow, dig it out. Better yet, have the auto towed out. Either method is cheaper and safer than quickly shifting between Reverse (R) and Drive (D) over and over again to free a bogged down vehicle. Even if you get your vehicle out by rocking it, your transmission may be damaged.

Don't Move the Shift into Park Without First Applying the Brakes.
When shifting into Park, be sure to apply the brakes. If another vehicle nudges your car and you don’t have the brakes applied, even a small push could snap the parking paw--the part that keeps your car from moving when in Park.