When you think of proper auto care, you might envision a mechanic tweaking and tightening parts in a garage. However, you can do plenty of good for your vehicle just by the way you drive it daily. If you’re hoping to prevent transmission service, avoid these three bad habits behind the wheel.

Bad Driving Habits for Your Transmission

1. Riding the Clutch

This colloquial term refers to resting the bottom of your shoe on the clutch pedal. Pressure should only be exerted on this pedal when you’re trying to shift gears—then, your foot should come off completely.

If you keep your foot in place, you’ll be increasing friction between the pressure plate and the flywheel. This friction can lead to overheating, causing your clutch to deteriorate and speed up the need for transmission service.

2. Hauling Too Much Weight

Whether you’re carrying bikes and kayaks for a camping trip or hauling the contents of your apartment in a trailer, it’s crucial to check your vehicle’s manual for a maximum weight limit.

Since your transmission is responsible for transferring engine power to the wheels and axles, exceeding this limit will put undue strain on the gears, clutch, and other system components. When calculating the full weight of your vehicle, don’t forget to account for the weight of your passengers.

3. Putting Pressure on the Shifter

The “stick” or shifter in a manual transmission car should only be touched when you’re changing gears to keep up with your vehicle’s speed. If you allow your right hand to rest on the stick, the pressure could wear out the sliders, which send signals to the shift fork and gears.

In an automatic transmission vehicle, you should only shift gears when the car is completely stopped, so there’s no reason to leave your hand on the stick when driving.

If you’ve been guilty of any of these habits, you might need to take your vehicle in for transmission service. In Cincinnati and Sharonville, OH, drivers turn to Mr. Transmission to nurse these systems back to health. They have over 50 years of experience maintaining transmission systems in both domestic and foreign cars. Whether you notice a strange vibration or are due for your 30,000-mile checkup, call (513) 769-3111 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit the website to learn more about their services.