how to independently maintain your carhow to independently maintain your car


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how to independently maintain your car

One of the most difficult adjustments I had to make after my divorce was learning how to maintain and repair my own vehicle. That was one thing that my husband had always taken care of for me. Since the divorce, I have learned quite a bit about maintaining a car myself. I have picked up a few tidbits of information that has helped me avoid being overcharged for simple things that I can quickly do myself - like jump-starting my dead battery and changing a flat tire. If you need to learn how to independently maintain your vehicle for the first time, take a moment and visit my site.

Where Is My Transmission Leak Coming From?

One of the last things you want to see is transmission fluid leaking underneath your car. However, you might be wondering where the transmission fluids are coming from. While there are many places out of which your transmission fluid might leak, there are some areas that are more commonly a source of transmission fluid leaks than others.

Cooling Line Leaks 

The cooler lines might experience a transmission fluid leak. The cooler line carries transmission fluid from the transmission to the transmission cooler. They are either found inside the radiator or some sit in front of the AC condenser. If the cooling line is going bad, this can lead to the line leaking. You may need to have the cooling line replaced.

Oil Pan Gasket Leaks

The pan gasket might experience a transmission fluid leak. The oil pan is a container that stores engine oil. The gasket is responsible for sealing the oil pan found at the bottom of the engine. The gaskets can wear out and start leaking transmission fluids. This will usually generate an engine oil warning light. If you drive your car when it doesn't have enough oil, you can cause damage to your engine. This may lead to you needing a new car or engine. Oil pan gaskets might need to be replaced, and you might need to replace the oil pan as a whole. 

Torque Converter Seal Leaks

The torque converter seal might experience a transmission fluid leak. The input and output shaft seals are the most commonplace that experiences a transmission fluid leak. A shaft on the front of the transmission will slide into either a clutch plate or a torque converter. The shaft acts to convert power from the engine to the gears that run your car. There are seals around these parts, and they will sometimes wear down, which will lead to a leak springing from the transmission.

The Risk of Replacing Seals

You may want to replace seals that have worn out, but this can be expensive and might not be effective in the long run. Instead, you will want to talk to an auto transmission repair professional about the best options available to you. 

Determining What to Do

If you discover that your transmission is leaking fluids, you'll want to have it repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, you'll risk causing damage both to your transmission and to your car as a whole.