10 Ways to Maintain an Automatic Car to Keep It in Top Shape
ebanmella.com – In recent years, public interest in automatic cars has begun to grow. Indeed, it is considered more appropriate to use an automatic car in big cities because the road conditions and driving style are different from the less congested cities. Some users say that driving an automatic car is more comfortable than a manual car. Of course, this shifting trend is fueled by the response of automakers competing to offer new automatic cars with different models and advanced features. But of course the difference in transmission between automatic and manual also affects how it stays. The way to maintain an automatic car is different from a manual car.
This time, Qoala explains how to take care of an automatic car to keep the vehicle in good condition. Also, pay attention to the many problems that often arise in automatic vehicles that do not exist in manual vehicles, so as not to cause unwanted damage to your favorite automatic car.
How to Maintain an Automatic Car
Once you understand the ins and outs of automatic cars, you need to know how to maintain automatic cars to keep the engine durable and comfortable to use. Here are a few ways to take care of new and old autos that you can do, it’s easy!
1. Warm up the car every day
Warming up the car every day is indeed a maintenance job that should be done on both manual and automatic cars. Although it seems simple, automatic cars are more annoying when trying to warm up the engine. An automatic car that warms up every day will have a prime engine and won’t have many problems. By warming up the automatic engine every day, the oil is evenly distributed in all parts of the engine. When warming up the automatic engine, make sure the transmission is in neutral and run it without AC.
2. Change the engine oil regularly
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How to take care of different types of automatic cars like CVT or diesel as well as different brands like Avanza, Brio and Ayla are generally the same. Make sure to change the oil regularly. Engine maintenance in automatic machines depends on the health of the car oil and transmission oil. Pay attention to the regular transmission oil change schedule based on the mileage of the car. Ideally, an automatic car should be replaced after 25,000 km and a maximum of 50,000 km. Choose a good quality oil and always check the condition of the oil with a dipstick. If the oil level is normal, the oil condition is good. However, if the oil level is on the lower line, it means that there is an oil leak and it must be treated immediately.
3. Pay attention to the automatic transmission mode
The next way to take care of an automatic car is to pay attention to the condition of the automatic car transmission. Even if you don’t buy it new, make sure you know the entire history of the car from the beginning to the present. There are 2 automatic car maintenance methods that you can try to maintain your car’s transmission condition.
A. Change the transmission oil regularly
Oil changes on automatic machines are not only engine oil but also transmission oil, this maintenance is not available on manual machines. Engine oil can be renewed if the car travels 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. Make sure to use a quality transmission oil for best results.
b. Use the gears correctly
Automatic cars make it easy for the driver to change the transmission so the transmission lever has many different settings. For users of manual cars, using an automatic transmission lever can be really confusing because each feature selection has a different function and must be used correctly. If the transmission gear lever is not used according to its proper function, damage to the parts of the gearbox can occur quickly. Make sure you understand each of the functions offered, such as the “P” transmission being used for parking or moving the transmission to the N position when stopped at a red light.
4. Take a test drive
Automatic cars should be used regularly for daily activities. If you haven’t used your car for a long time, be sure to drive it every few months to see if there are any noticeable changes in the engine’s condition. Expect unusual vibration when changing the transmission or other uncomfortable changes. It is very important to do this, because when the car is not used much, the transmission oil is thicker because it is related to the health of the gearbox.
5. Condition of the control valve
In automatic cars, the transmission is very tight and moves quickly, so there are valve parts that can leak. If the valve has a leak, it will spread to other parts of the transmission, disturbing the driving comfort. Sometimes valve damage is caused by pushing the gas too hard. Therefore, checking the condition of the valves regularly is one of the important ways to repair automatic cars.
6. Avoid stepping on the gas suddenly
Automatic cars are designed for relaxed driving with a less aggressive driving style. It is a good idea to step on the gas slowly from a standstill so that the car accelerates smoothly. In addition to the driver’s comfort, this also affects the condition of the car, which can be damaged quickly by suddenly pressing the gas deeply. Driving an automatic car like this can cause damage to the solenoid valve. Damage to this valve is caused by incomplete changes to the oil to torque converter.
7. Drain the engine and transmission oil if flooded
Maybe all vehicles will need maintenance when flooded. However, for automatic cars, flooding can result in even greater damage to components. When your automatic car is flooded, try to immediately dry the spark plugs, carburetor, V-belt, starter dynamo and air filter. Another thing that must be done is to drain the transmission oil and immediately replace it with a new one.
It seems pointless to follow the four ways to care for an automatic car above, if when the car is submerged in a flood, you are not immediately alert to provide first aid. If this is not done quickly, the automatic machine will be damaged even more seriously because the water will damage several important components that are at risk.
8. Make sure the position is “N” when stopping
The next way to maintain an automatic car is to ensure a neutral position when stopping. An automatic car will drive slowly when the transmission is in “D” even if you don’t press the brake. So make sure you change the transmission to “N” if you really want to stop. Avoid pressing the brake to stop the car while the transmission is still in the “D” position. When stopping at a red light, for example, change the transmission to “N” then apply the handbrake.
9. Car Service Regularly
When you buy an automatic car, make sure you fully understand the maintenance and driving guidelines. Maybe each car brand has different maintenance procedures from other brands. If you buy a used automatic car, ask in detail about maintenance over time and special features if any. Don’t forget to pay attention to the routine service schedule so that the machine remains in top condition and avoid replacing components that are already badly damaged. So even if you buy an old automatic car that is rarely used, make sure you know how to care for a used car properly.
10. Be sensitive to the condition of the car when driving
It is appropriate for car owners to have a special bond with their car. Building this special relationship will make the car owner aware if something unusual happens to the car, even if it is only minor damage. Not only can it be felt, sometimes the damage to an automatic car can be seen clearly and must be immediately taken to a repair shop to be handled professionally. If you already know about the damage but are still delaying repairing it, then the damage could spread to other components and of course result in even more expensive repair costs.
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