Protecting My Car: Efforts to Avoid Damaging Your Vehicle.

Renowned online automotive maintenance expert Scott Kilmer, well-regarded in the international automotive community, provides valuable advice to vehicle owners on preventing issues and avoiding costly repairs. With over 55 years of experience as an automotive technician, Scott shares insights on how to protect your vehicle to the fullest through his informative videos.

 

Following these expert recommendations can help extend the lifespan of your vehicle and avoid costly repairs.

 

In one of his most popular videos, Scott emphasizes the importance of regularly changing transmission fluid for owners of vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. He states, "While there may be claims that modern models don't require frequent oil changes, that is far from the truth."

 

According to Scott, using contaminated oil is detrimental to any vehicle, regardless of its age. Failing to change the transmission fluid at appropriate intervals can significantly shorten the lifespan of the transmission. Scott advises that it's best to change the transmission oil every 100,000 to 130,000 kilometers to maintain your vehicle properly.

 

Many automatic transmission systems are intricately designed to improve performance and fuel efficiency. Consequently, the cost of transmission replacement can be substantial. Scott notes that the current cost of replacing a car's transmission can exceed $5,000, emphasizing the importance of preemptively changing the oil and proper maintenance.

 

Secondly, Scott warns against a behavior that should never be practiced: shifting from reverse to drive while the vehicle is still in motion. Choosing reverse gear when the vehicle is even slightly moving is a risky action that can quickly damage the transmission.

 

Scott shares an experience, saying, "One of my customers had a situation where their teenager, who was just learning to drive, forcefully shifted into reverse gear while fooling around with friends, causing severe damage to the transmission."

 

Lastly, Scott recommends switching the gear from 'D' (Drive) to 'P' (Park) if the engine is still running while the vehicle is at a complete stop. Failure to do so can lead to transmission overheating and potential damage.

 

He advises, "Running an automatic transmission car at idle for an extended period can lead to transmission overheating, so it's best to turn off the engine. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't turn off the engine, make sure to shift into 'P.'"

 

Following these expert recommendations can help extend the lifespan of your vehicle and avoid costly repairs.