The gearbox of any car is the engine that makes it possible for us to go on the road at the appropriate speeds and safely. Because we would not be able to move in any direction if we did not have a gearbox, maintaining its quality to enhance the overall safety of our driving is of the utmost importance. However, even when we believe we are taking good care of our vehicles, the gearboxes in those vehicles can still fail. The issue that has to be answered is what causes these failures. Even though there are infinite possibilities, we have included some of the most common causes of gearbox problems below.
Read more for some further information on different factors that can lead to a damaged gearbox.
Driving Habits That Can Damage The Gearbox
Some driving habits can lead to damage to your gearbox if they continue for prolonged periods of time. Most of the time, you might not even know that a certain driving habit is bad or that it can affect the health of your gearbox. Some of the most common things that can hurt you are:
Keeping the clutch slightly depressed: Try not to drive with your foot on the clutch. Putting even a little pressure on the clutch pedal can cause wear, burning, and other problems with the clutch.
Resting Your Hand On The Gearstick: Many drivers can drive with their hand on the gearstick, which can cause problems for the selector fork. Over time, constant pressure on the gearstick and, by extension, the selector fork can wear out the parts and cause the car to break down.
Resting on the Clutch: If you rest your foot on the clutch at a red light, the pressure of having it engaged for a long time can wear down the parts. Use the handbrake instead to protect your gearbox and make it last longer.
Lack Of Maintenance
As car owners, it is our job to take care of our cars, whether that means quick checks at home or full service at the garage. If you do not take care of your gearbox properly, problems can go unnoticed or unchecked, leading to full breakdowns and damage in the future.
For example, bad oil can cause clogs and blockages in tubes and pipes, which lowers the quality of the drive and, in some cases, makes the engine overheat, which is bad for the gearbox. If you check your oil often, keep your engine coolant full, and ensure your gearbox and the rest of your car are checked regularly, you can catch any problems before they cause damage that can not be fixed.
The wrong oil
Bad engine oil can cause problems with your gearbox, but more importantly, the wrong type of oil can do the same thing. Without the right oil, your engine could overheat, sludge could build up in the pipes, and serious damage could happen that might not be easy to fix. Repairs are expensive, so it is best always to use the right type of oil.
Get In Touch With Gearbox Specialist For Repairs And Maintenance
Our highly-trained vehicle technicians at Gearbox Specialist can offer a range of maintenance and repair services for both manual and automatic gearboxes. To schedule repairs or maintenance at our garage in Bournemouth, get in touch today by calling 01202309830 or emailing thegearboxspecialist@hotmail.co.uk.
