What kind of shape a heavy-duty truck’s transmission is in can dramatically impact how well it performs. One that’s kept in excellent shape can last for years, sending power from the engine to the wheels exactly as intended.
A poorly maintained transmission, on the other hand, can get damaged quickly and leave drivers facing costly repairs. If the gearbox is already damaged, truck owners can find affordable dana transmission parts online. If it’s still in good shape, read on to learn how to maintain that heavy-duty truck transmission to extend its usable lifespan, avoid unnecessary repairs, and keep the truck running right.
Check the Transmission Fluid
Clean transmission fluid degrades over time even when a truck owner keeps the gears well-lubricated, cool, and working as intended. However, dirty transmission fluid often indicates underlying problems. The fluid should be red-tinged and transparent. Black or rust-colored transmission fluid has almost certainly been overheating. If the transmission fluid is getting polluted due to an underlying problem, there may also be excessive amounts of metal shavings in it.
Flushing the transmission fluid from time to time is a must. Truck owners should check their user manuals regarding the ideal schedule for transmission fluid flushes. Just keep in mind when performing DIY transmission fluid flushes that overfilling the fluid can harm seals and gaskets. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Avoid Overheating
Heat is one of a heavy-duty transmission’s worst enemies. Overheating usually occurs when the system is being placed under unreasonable pressure, as when towing a load that’s too heavy for the truck’s rated capacity. However, even driving too far with a lighter load on a hot day can be taxing on the gearbox.
The best solution is always to avoid driving in scorching-hot temperatures. Save the desert drives for the nighttime whenever possible. If that’s not possible, take precautions and keep a close eye on the temperature indicator and pull over immediately to let the truck cool down if the transmission gets too hot.
Steer Clear of Stop-and-Go Traffic
The abrupt starts and stops of driving in serious traffic cause unnecessary wear and tear on a truck’s transmission, which must disengage and re-engage repeatedly every time the truck stops and starts. This is particularly tough on automatic gearboxes, but drivers with manual trucks may also want to avoid stop-and-go traffic whenever possible.
Get Regular Tune-Ups
Truck owners that don’t have dedicated mechanical experience should take their rigs in to be inspected and tuned up at least once a year, and that includes the transmission. Regular tune-ups can keep a transmission running for longer and allow mechanics to identify possible issues while they’re still easy to fix. Minor repairs are always cheaper to deal with than major transmission failures.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs
Has the truck been sliding gears or riding wrong? Are there indicator lights that shouldn’t be on? Does it smell like burning after towing a heavy load? Don’t ignore those warning signs. Stop to check them out and perform the necessary repairs as soon as possible to get back on the road safely without replacing the entire transmission.
Always Buy High-Quality Parts
When things do go wrong with heavy-duty transmissions, truck owners need to buy high-quality parts. There are aftermarket parts suppliers with transmission kits and individual parts that meet or exceed OEM standards. Take the time to find one.