Driving in MD: How Often Should You Get Routine Transmission Service?

The transmission is one of your car’s most complex and hardest-working parts. The average modern transmission is made up of over 800 different components, most of which are in continuous pressurized motion as they transmit the power of the engine to your wheels. Technicians at your local dealership keep your entire gearbox in good working order with regular transmission service. Let’s look at how often to have this done in Rockville, MD, or anywhere else in the state.

Every 30,000 Miles for the Average Driver

Over time, transmission fluid thickens into sludge from the continual heat, pressure, and buildup of debris and contaminants. Full transmission servicing requires a special cleaning product and process that dissolves all the sludge, allowing for deep internal cleaning of the gearbox. It takes a trained technician to perform this task properly.

It’s generally advised to have your transmission inspected and serviced once every 30,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first. But if you usually use your car in more severe driving conditions, you should consider more frequent servicing visits.

Extreme Driving Conditions

Various terrains and driving habits put a great deal more pressure on a car’s transmission. Some examples of severe conditions are heavy urban stop-and-go traffic, rough terrain, hilly terrain, and dusty roads. Starting your car in freezing temperatures also puts extra strain on a transmission, as do prolonged periods of idling, long-distance trips at lower speeds, and frequent short-distance trips where the transmission doesn’t have time to warm up properly.

And the more weight your car is hauling, the more pressure the gearbox is under, so towing a trailer or loading up your roof rack can also count as more severe conditions. If your regular driving conditions tick any of these boxes, consider having your transmission cleaned every 15,000 miles or once per year.

Typical Driving Conditions in Rockville, MD 

Fortunately, you may not experience those heavy traffic conditions in Rockville. So, it’s unlikely that you’re spending much time stuck in stop-and-go traffic each day, unless you’re continually driving in the very heart of town. Nor is it a very hilly city. Rockville isn’t the hottest town either during summer, which is good for your gearbox. But it can get rather chilly during winter, which might put a strain on transmissions in the morning.

Overall, Rockville doesn’t pose much severity for the average transmission in terms of terrain and environment. Another factor can be your driving habits: are you idling a lot, driving on highways at slower speeds, using your car mostly for short trips, or carrying especially heavy loads? If so, it might be wise to have your transmission checked and serviced more frequently. You can always ask a trusted technician at your local Nissan dealership for more guidance on this.

Book a Transmission Service in Rockville, MD

Visit DARCARS Nissan of Rockville today to have your transmission examined and serviced by experienced technicians. We believe in going the extra mile for all our customers so their cars can keep going for hundreds of thousands of miles more, trouble-free.

Tags: Transmission Service FAQs
Posted in Maintaining Your Nissan, Rockville Nissan Service, Transmission Service | No Comments »