October 1, 2021

Tune Into These Ways to Help Avoid Automatic Transmission Issues in Your INFINITI

Your transmission is what keeps your car running smoothly by shifting it into the right gear. Transmission problems are no joke and can prevent your vehicle from starting and switching gears properly. But staying ahead of potential problems can help keep expensive repairs off your plate! Here are a few ways to help take care of your INFINITI's transmission and better avoid major transmission issues down the road.

Tips on How to Avoid Transmission Problems

1. Maintain a regular schedule for fluid and filter replacements. Check your owner's manual to know how often to change transmission fluid and filter. The current standard is to change them every 30,000-60,000 miles. If you're using your vehicle for towing, you'll want to change the fluid and filter more often to account for the increase in your INFINITI's load.
2. Don't overfill your transmission. If you overfill the transmission, the fluid may foam, creating problems in gear shifting and leading to possible damage. Follow the instructions in your owner's manual when checking and adding transmission fluid. Add the fluid slowly so you can carefully measure the level as you go. Keep in mind that newer models may not have a fill tube or dipstick.
3. Use the correct replacement fluid. Transmission fluid types vary depending on your vehicle, so be sure to follow the recommendation in your owner's manual. Using the wrong fluid can lead to difficulty shifting, engine overheating, and potentially irreparable transmission damage.
4. Don't tow in overdrive. Make sure to turn off your INFINITI's overdrive before towing. Skipping this step can cause unnecessary shifting that wears on your transmission. Locking out the overdrive can provide steadier performance and give your transmission a break while towing.
5. Don't exceed your max towing capacity. The extra weight from towing or hauling in your INFINITI makes the transmission work harder. If you tow too much weight, the transmission can overheat, potentially resulting in serious damage. You can find information about weight limits and towing capacities in your owner's manual.
6. Use your emergency brake when parking, especially on hills. Using the emergency break can reduce stress on the parking pawl (pin). If the parking pawl fails, you risk your vehicle rolling when it's parked and you're not around to stop it.
7. Avoid rocking between gears if your vehicle becomes stuck. Rocking is when you rapidly switch gears back and forth. Some drivers do this when they get stuck in mud or snow or on ice. If you have to rock, do so gently and make sure the wheels have stopped moving before each gear change to help reduce the strain placed on your INFINITI's transmission.
8. Ease into driving on cold days. Letting your engine and transmission warm up for about a minute before driving is best practice during the colder months. Then, ease into your drive with smooth acceleration and braking.
9. Avoid overheating your transmission. Overheating causes a large majority of transmission failures. Reducing the heat back to normal operating temperatures, either through cautious driving practices or by installing an external cooler (especially if you tow heavy loads), can help increase the lifespan of your INFINITI.

Signs it Might be Time to Get Your Transmission Serviced

1. Shifting gears is a struggle. If your INFINITI struggles to change gears, you likely have transmission issues to blame. The root cause is usually low transmission fluid or the wrong kind of transmission fluid.
2. You smell something burning. A burning odor could be a sign your transmission is overheating or the transmission fluid is old and burning. It's a good idea to have strange odors checked out. Visit an INFINITI dealer for maintenance right away.
3. Gears are slipping. Slipping gears can cause your vehicle to feel like its response time is lagging. This is an especially dangerous symptom of a transmission needing service since it impacts your vehicle's handling and response on the road. If your gears slip, it's a good idea to take your INFINITI in for service immediately.
4. The engine revs when shifting. If your INFINITI's engine revs high when shifting, you might be looking at low fluid levels. Continued driving without a fluid replacement or transmission repair can result in a need for major mechanical work.
5. Your vehicle is generally unresponsive. Have you noticed your INFINITI doesn't respond when you try to move out of park, accelerate, or change gears? This is likely an indication that your car is facing transmission issues.
6. Transmission fluid is leaking. A transmission fluid leak is easy to identify. Transmission fluid is red in color and has a sweet smell to it. If you notice a puddle of this liquid under your INFINITI, you have a leak and should bring your vehicle in for a leak repair and fluid replacement.
7. The check engine light is on. Make sure an INFINITI specialist takes a look if your check engine light comes on. Transmission problems are one of many things that can cause it to illuminate.

Is your INFINITI's transmission showing signs of wear and tear? Don't wait until it's too late! Shop genuine INFINITI transmission parts online, and visit your nearest service center for professional help getting your transmission where it needs to be.