Back to all

Smooth Shifting in Holland, MI: Transmission Service

November 12, 2023

So you have some exciting plans for the weekend. You're going to take some of your friends out on the boat for some water skiing. Of course, you've gotten the boat all ready. And you haven't forgotten about your tow vehicle. You've gassed it up and even vacuumed it out. However, there is something even more important than the cleanliness of the interior: you want to make sure that your vehicle maintenance is up to date.

Think about it – heavy traffic on the way out of Holland. There's hilly terrain as you get to the lake. Some dirt roads – and it's going to be pretty hot in MI this weekend. And all the time you'll be towing around a lot of extra weight. That all adds up a lot of severe strain on your engine, brakes and transmission.

Let's just consider the transmission. It's going to be working overtime, spending more time in lower gears. The internal transmission temperature is going to be much higher than normal. A fun little blast to the local MI lake for you is really severe duty for your transmission.

It's important to have enough transmission fluid. If it runs low, the transmission will run hotter and won't have the protection it needs to cope with the added stress of towing. Transmission fluid breaks down and gets dirty over time. Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission, it's important for Holland drivers to have it serviced by automotive professionals like the team at Tuffy Holland to make sure it runs efficiently.

An automatic transmission contains a maze of passages through which the fluid must pass to keep it shifting smoothly. Holland drivers who neglect regularly scheduled transmission service risk the passages clogging up and starting to have problems.

Those who neglect their transmission for too long will eventually experience transmission failure. You really don't want to pay for a major transmission repair.

This reminds us of how much of our driving around Holland, MI, is under severe conditions. Towing or hauling a big load is obvious, but there are lots of other things that constitute severe driving conditions — things like short trips and driving in very hot or very cold MI weather. Dusty roads and city driving around Holland add to the strain. Basically, any driving that's not at highway speeds or under ideal conditions can be considered severe conditions.

While you have your vehicle in, ask for a trip inspection. Your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Tuffy Holland will check your belts and hoses and let you know if your brakes are in good shape.

Now, don't forget the sunscreen.

 

Tuffy Holland
90 Waverly Rd.
Holland, MI 49423
616.394.0880
http://www.tuffyholland.com

More articles from Tuffy Holland

Coolant/Antifreeze Service in Holland, MI

May 12, 2024

Holland auto owners may know that most automotive failures in Holland, MI, are tire related, but do you know the second most common cause of vehicle failure? Nope, it's not teenagers. It is the coolant system. But if you take good care of your vehicle coolant system, it will take good care of yo... More

Some New Boots (Suspension Maintenance)

May 5, 2024

There are some boots that don't come in a shoe box and aren't worn on your feet. They are called axle or CV boots, and they can be important parts for many vehicles. That CV stands for constant velocity. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. They're also us... More

Differential Service at Tuffy Holland: Viva la Difference

April 28, 2024

Every vehicle on MI roads has a differential, and it is important to the proper operation of the vehicle. But most Holland residents don't have a clue what it is.The differential compensates for differing wheel speeds. For example, when you turn, the inside tire on the turn travels a much short... More