Automatic transmissions can overheat, understand the causes and solutions so they don't break down
The Christmas and New Year (Nataru) 2024 holidays are quite draining on engine power because the car is used for long-distance travel with all family members. Plus, traffic jams and rain mean cars have to work hard on the road.
One of the car components that works hard is the automatic transmission. Because once the engine is started, the automatic transmission oil immediately circulates and only stops when the engine is turned off again.
This friction from the automatic transmission gear components and non-stop circulation triggers excessive heat in the gearbox if it continues continuously without time for cooling down. Transmission components can overheat or overheat.
For this reason, there is no harm if you stop to rest the automatic transmission. In accordance with the principles of safe driving, it is recommended to rest after traveling for 2 hours. This moment can be used at the same time to cool down the automatic transmission.
Another behavior that causes the automatic transmission to overheat quickly is frequently holding down the gas pedal when stopping on a hill. When doing that, it requires a lot of pressure to hold the gear and automatic transmission clutch lining. This continuous excess pressure can trigger overheating if left unchecked.
That's why you should put the transmission lever in N and pull the parking brake when you get stuck on an uphill road. That way the automatic transmission is not burdened by engine rotation. Don't worry about starting because most Toyota passenger cars are equipped with the Hill Start Assist feature.
Apart from that, the cause of overheating in an automatic transmission is due to slippage in the transmission parts. A worn clutch or clutch is one of the triggers. One characteristic is loss of power when the car accelerates.
When the problem gets worse, the automatic transmission indicator on the instrument panel will come on. When you reach this stage, you should stop the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off the engine and let it sit for about 30 minutes to cool down.
Start the engine again and see if the automatic transmission indicator on the instrument panel is still on. If it's dead, let the engine run for about 10-15 minutes to see if there are any more problems. If it's safe, try walking slowly.
When it can run normally, immediately take the car to an authorized Toyota repair shop for further checks. Even though it is safe, there is still a risk of problems again if you encounter heavy road conditions that require engine and transmission power.
