Car and trucks that are usually driven occasionally or for short distance trips are often subjected to unusual wear and strain to the automatic transmission. Not only do driving conditions affect the automatic transmission but the brakes, engine, etc. Cars and trucks that are consistently driven short distances never have the opportunity for the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature. This can cause excessive wear on the engine. Low mileage automatic transmissions subjected to city driving or stop and go driving usually experience far more wear than automatic transmissions with the same number of highway miles. The highway mileage doesn’t create as much wear and tear on the automatic transmission. Highway miles are easier on the automatic transmission as the number of times the automatic transmission shifts up and down through its gear ranges is far less then stop and go driving.
Some other seemingly normal driving conditions can affect the automatic transmissions life span. Conditions such as extreme hot or cold temperatures, snowy roads, icy roads, mountainous terrain, dusty terrain and poor air quality can drastically affect the life of the automatic transmission. Under normal driving conditions, automobile manufacturers recommend servicing the automatic transmission fluid as seldom as every 20,000 to 100,000 miles. But the question is what constitutes normal driving conditions?
According to most automobile manufactures normal driving conditions of automatic transmissions can range, but most agree that the following conditions are considered normal. Driving about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Keeping the engine and transmission operating at normal operating temperature most of the time. A driving mix of about 1/3 city driving and 2/3 highway driving. Outside temperature usually moderate; not too hot or too cold. Roadways dry, straight, occasional, moderate hills or valleys. Air quality moderate and clean. No excessive speeding, drag racing, jackrabbit starts, hard braking or quick shifting. Light to moderate loads; one or two passengers, with very little weight added to the trunk or cargo space. Tire pressures set properly and all fluids at correct levels and condition.
If you operate your automobile under more extreme driving conditions as most people do you’ll want to reduce the time and mileage between automatic transmission fluid change maintenance services. Having your automatic transmission serviced once a year, or at very least every other year, seems to be the consensus among transmission repair professionals. Under the most extreme driving conditions, it is advisable to install an external transmission filter and external transmission cooler for additional protection.
