towing service ArlingtonTransmission is a significant part of a vehicle. It is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. Car towing is a necessary part of the maintenance for any tow truck driver. However, towing can also be detrimental to your transmission if not done correctly. 

The most common cause of transmission problems after towing is the downshifting that happens when going downhill or braking on an incline. This causes strain on the gears and leaves them in vulnerable positions, which will increase wear and tear over time. The last thing you want is to have your transmission fail in the middle of the journey. Let’s look at how this happens and what you need to do about it.

Causes of transmission damages during car towing

  1. Shifting gears too quickly. This creates strain on the transmission and can cause it to fail prematurely. 
  2. Downshifting while driving down an incline or braking too severely on one. 
  3. Driving around with bad alignment damage your car and increases the risk that your transmission will fail. 
  4. Driving with high mileage on an older car which already has weaker and more prone to failure transmissions. 
  5. Not driving long enough for your engine’s RPM to cool down. This is the most common cause of transmission problems after towing and usually results in overheating, which further damages your vehicle’s internal components.
  6. Driving with low fluid levels increases the risk that you will end up with a bad alignment or without enough lubrication for all of the gears and axles.

How can you avoid transmission damages?

  • Follow these tips to keep your car in excellent condition and you will avoid an expensive repair bill after car towing.
  • Drive around on a flat surface for at least 20 minutes after towing. 
  • Let your engine cool down completely before turning it off, and ensure that the fluid level is high enough in the transmission reservoir. If you need help, then take it into a workshop or request car towing services. 
  • Have your transmission fluid changed every 30K miles to prevent problems. This is especially true on older models of vehicles, which are more prone to overheating due to their smaller transmissions than most new models. 
  • Keep up with regular maintenance so that you never have to worry about your transmission failing.
  • Don’t drive around with a bad alignment for too long, or you will end up causing more damage that will cost even more money down the road. 
  • Avoid driving on inclines whenever possible because this is where most cars are towed, to begin with, and it’s easier not to do so rather than be mindful of all the potential problems that can happen after towing.

If you have a newer car, then chances are its transmission is much more reliable than an older one. So, it should last for years even if you tow frequently. This way, your towing won’t cost nearly as much money in repairs over time.

You can avoid all types of transmission problems by taking your car into a shop to get checked out after being towed or before taking it on long trips, which results in more wear and tear than usual for most cars. 

What Does the Trailer Tow Hitch Warning Light Mean?