How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Semi Truck’s Transmission

The transmission in your semi-truck is a critical component — without it, your whole operation comes to a screeching halt. Your transmission transfers your engines powers into your wheels, shifts gears to optimize your fuel efficiency and maximize performance, and helps you regulate your speed and output, especially under heavy loads. Making sure that your transmission gets the care and maintenance it needs is key to keeping it shifting reliably and keeping your operation rolling on.

At LubeZone, we understand transmissions, and we understand how important it is for our trucker customers to know their rigs are being cared for so they can keep doing what they do best. We put together some tips on extending the lifespan of your transmission to make sure that you can keep operating without the unexpected and costly problems that arise from poorly maintained transmissions.

If you are ready to make sure your transmission is getting comprehensive care, visit your nearest LubeZone Location to partner with the pros.

Understanding the Importance of Transmission Maintenance

A poorly maintained transmission will shorten the lifespan and reduce the overall performance of your vehicle. Your transmission converts the power produced by your engine into kinetic energy in the crankshafts, which turn the wheels and move your truck forward. At the wheel, you shift your transmission to respond to the changing environment to get the results you need, whether that’s maximum torque for hauling or climbing or maximum efficiency for long hauls on the highway. Maintaining your transmission makes certain that you can stay in control and smoothly shift through the gears without worrying about things like overheating, gear slippage, delays in engagement, or seizing.

A neglected transmission can lead to major issues that are both expensive and time-consuming. Scheduling downtimes for your truck is one thing, but a failed transmission can leave you with an immobilized truck that will completely disrupt your schedules, impact your customers’ expectations and view of you, and maybe cost you much more than you planned to spend. Routine maintenance services are great for a few reasons: making sure that your transmission is topped up on clean fluid, and identifying any early warnings that might indicate wear, damage, or other problems that can go from minor to catastrophic in a short time.

It isn’t just total failures that you’re avoiding when you are maintaining your transmission properly: you’re also improving your fuel efficiency by making sure you are capturing the most power possible when shifting, and that the energy from the engine is making it through to your wheels without impediment.

Common Transmission Issues and Their Causes

There are all sorts of different ways a transmission can have a problem, and each of them will impact your truck’s performance in a different way. Here are some of the most common issues that semi-truck drivers come across in their travels, as well as possible causes:

Overheating

An overheating transmission is a fairly common problem in semi-truck transmissions, and if you don’t address it quickly, you can cause serious, possibly irreparable damage to the unit. Overheating is often caused by low transmission fluid, which lubricates and cools. If your fluid is old and degraded or new and low quality, it might fail to lubricate and cool, which will lead to friction buildup and heat. If you are hauling a heavy load, your transmission will have extra strain on it, which can lead to some overheating even with a top-quality coolant.

Gear Slippage

When you notice your transmission changing gears without you shifting them, it can cause serious power loss and control issues. This is known as slippage. This is a clear sign that your gears or clutch plates are probably worn out, which means they aren’t able to engage the right way. Slippage can also happen if your transmission fluid’s pressure is too low, which could be because of leaks, deferred maintenance, or contaminated fluid. If you’re transmission is slipping, get it to a professional right away.

Delated Engagement

If you are shifting and there is a big gap between your shift and the transmission actually catching the gear, there are a few possible causes. This is at best a frustrating problem, and at worst a really dangerous one when you need to accelerate or decelerate in a hurry. It could be a sign that your transmission fluid is either dirty or running low, causing issues with the hydraulic system because it can’t maintain pressure. It could also be a problem with worn components or even issues with your electronic control module.

Essential Maintenance Tips For Your Truck’s Transmission

The following are just a few of the most important tips for maintaining your transmission and keeping it working great for years to come.

Check Transmission Fluid Levels

Get on a schedule to check your transmission fluids. To do this, make sure you are parked on a level service, and the engine is warm — but not hot. Find the transmission dipstick, which is usually towards the back of your engine, and pull it out. Just like when you check your oil, wipe the dipstick, put it back in all the way, and then take it out to check the level along the hash marks on the stick. If it’s in the range, you’re good to go!

Use the Right Type of Transmission Fluid

Your semi-truck has a specific type of transmission fluid, which you can usually find in the owner’s manual. The wrong fluid may be too thin or thick, or made of a different compound, and can fail to lubricate the transmission properly which will increase friction and build up heat, which can cause serious damage to the transmission’s internal parts. Using a cheap transmission fluid can cause similar problems, so it’s important to use trusted brands to make sure you are taking the best care possible of your transmission.

Proper Gear Shifting

This isn’t a maintenance tip as much as a best practice when you’re behind the wheel, but try to avoid abrupt shifts or skipping gears because each of these maneuvers can put added stress and strain on your transmission. From a stop, make sure you use the lowest gear so you aren’t putting unnecessary torque and pressure on your transmission, and try to avoid downshifting at high speeds to cause unnecessary strain. Smooth-shifting into and out of the right gears can help reduce wear and tear and keep your transmission components in great shape.

Proper gear usage not only helps maintain your truck’s transmission but also ensures compliance with EPA regulations on vehicle engines.

Routine Inspections and Replacements

The most important tip is to make sure you stay on top of an inspection routine and replace components as necessary. Check your fluid for signs of problems, check for leaks, inspect the transmission pan and gasket for possible damage, and replace any parts that look like they are starting to wear out. Also make sure that you follow the truck manufacturer’s guidelines for changing your transmission fluid — usually every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. While you are getting the fluid services, it’s a good idea to inspect the peripheral components like your clutch and drive shaft.

Signs Your Transmission Needs Attention

Here are a few signs to look out for that might tell you it’s time to head to your nearest LubeZone:

Strange Noises

You spend enough time behind the wheel of your truck to know what sounds you should or shouldn’t be hearing. Sounds like grinding, whining, or clanging are a good sign that there’s something going wrong with your truck, and possibly your transmission. It could be a problem of worn-out gears and/or bearings, or it could be as simple as topping off your transmission fluid. As soon as you start hearing strange sounds, get to a professional.

Fluid Leaks

Any fluid leaking from your truck is a sign that something needs attention, whether it’s oil, transmission fluid, or anything else. Leaks can happen because of damaged seals, loose bolts, or even cracks in the housing. Transmission fluid can be distinguished from radiator fluid or oil because it’s usually red or pink and smells sweet. If you are seeing puddles under your truck, note the color and contact a professional right away to avoid significant damage to your transmission.

Shifting Problems

If your truck is making unexpected gear changes, there is a delay in engagement after you shift, or you are otherwise noticing rough shifts between gears, there are many different possible issues like transmission fluid problems, worn-out clutch plates, faulty sensors, and many others. Make sure that you address this problem as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage to your truck, and to avoid safety issues while on the road.

Keep Your Transmission Running Smoothly By Scheduling Your Inspection and Maintenance Today

As you know, making sure your transmission is in top shape is key for ensuring that your truck will run reliably for many more miles to come. Getting into the habit of checking your fluid levels, shifting correctly, and doing routine inspections are all part of avoiding possible issues and noticing small problems before they become significant issues.

The best way to keep your transmission in great shape is to work with a team of professionals like those at LubeZone. We offer comprehensive transmission maintenance and inspections in addition to the rest of the many services we offer our trucker partners.

Call-Out Boxes: 

Warning: Never Mix Different Types of Transmission Fluid!

Did you know that every transmission has an optimal type of fluid? Make sure you know which fluid your truck uses, andnever mix different types. The wrong fluid, or mixed fluids, can lead to bad lubrication, friction problems, and overheating that will all cause significant damage in your transmission.

Safety Tip: Using gloves when you are working with transmission fluid will avoid uncomfortable skin irritation!

Transmission fluid is a serious skin irritant, so keeping a box of latex gloves in your truck is a good idea to keep your skin safe while you are checking up on your truck. It also helps keep clean, even if you don’t react to the fluid when you touch it.

Warning: Make sure your transmission has cooled down before touching it.

When you are planning to check your transmission fluid or do any maintenance work, it’s good to warm the transmission up — but don’t work on it while it’s hot! That way the fluid will be viscous enough to get a good level check on it without being scalding, and you don’t need to worry about bumping into a hot piece of metal that will burn your skin.

Reminder: Check the owner’s manual about the right type of transmission fluid for your truck.

If you are adding transmission fluid or doing any of your own work, make sure that you are using the right fluid. The wrong fluid can cause serious problems with your transmission that may lead to long-term problems or permanent damage. 

Pro Tip: Check under your truck for fluid leaks, especially after hauling a heavy load or at the end of a long trip.

If there are even minor leaks in your truck, hauling a heavy load or running your truck for a long time will probably cause them to become more apparent. After a tough job, it’s a good idea to take a look under your truck to see if there are any noticeable leaks, burning smells, or other signs that there might be an issue.

LubeZone

LubeZone is the fastest growing dedicated semi-truck service in the United States with locations in Texas, California, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Georgia. Our preventative maintenance solutions are designed to get the professional driver back on the road FAST.