How Stop-and-Go Traffic Damages Your Transmission and What You Can Do About It

Your Daily Commute is Silently Destroying Your Transmission – Here’s How to Fight Back

If you’re stuck in Athens traffic on your way to work each morning, you might think the biggest toll is on your patience. But while you’re sitting in that endless line of brake lights, something far more expensive is happening under the hood – your transmission is slowly cooking itself to death.

Stop-and-go traffic is particularly hard on your transmission because of the constant shifting between gears. This frequent shifting causes wear and tear on the internal components. Over time, this can lead to issues like overheating, increased friction, and ultimately, transmission failure. It is estimated that close to 90% of automatic transmission failures are caused by overheating, primarily from overworked transmission fluid.

Why Stop-and-Go Traffic is a Transmission Killer

Every time you accelerate from a dead stop in traffic, your transmission must work to find the correct gear. In this stop-and-go traffic, the automatic transmission is working nonstop because it constantly shifting gears due to the constant fluctuation in vehicle speed. For example, the speeds fluctuate between 5 and 20 mph, which causes numerous upshifts and downshifts between 1st, 2nd, and sometimes 3rd gear.

The real danger comes from heat buildup. Sitting in traffic heats your engine because there isn’t any air flowing through it. The hotter the engine the hotter the fluid. Overheated transmission fluid is not as effective, and the excess heat can also affect the mounts. A normal “healthy” lubricated transmission operates at or below 175 degrees; anything higher than this breaks down your transmission fluid. Now, when the light comes on indicating that your transmission is overheating, it means that your vehicle is functioning at 250 degrees, which is considered an “extremely high” temperature.

External Factors (high heat/humidity, extreme uphill grades, stop-and-go traffic, etc.) all contribute to transmission stress, but the constant shifting in traffic creates a perfect storm of problems.

The Hidden Costs of Traffic Jams

Manual transmission drivers face their own challenges. If you drive a manual transmission, your clutch (and your leg) gets quite a workout in stop-and-go traffic. As long as you practice good clutch techniques, your car is equipped to handle it, but there’s no doubt that a car that spends an excessive amount of time in traffic will need a clutch replacement sooner rather than later.

For automatic transmissions, the main concern here is overheating…your transmission relies on fluid moving through the radiator to keep it cool, and if you aren’t moving much your car isn’t cooling down as efficiently as it could be. The lack of airflow during extended idling periods means your cooling system can’t do its job effectively.

Protecting Your Transmission Investment

The good news is that you can take steps to protect your transmission from traffic-related damage:

  • Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as checking and changing your transmission fluid, can help keep your transmission cool and reduce wear. If you live and drive your vehicle in a hot climate or find yourself hauling heavy loads from time to time or engaging in lots of stop-and-go traffic, it is advisable to change your transmission fluid every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. This ensures your transmission fluid remains fresh at all times so that it can work efficiently by cooling the transmission.
  • Adjust Your Driving Style: It’s also wise to avoid aggressive driving in heavy traffic. Instead, try to maintain a steady speed whenever possible. To reduce wear on the brakes, engine, and transmission, a lot of drivers try to eliminate the slinky effect in traffic. You can do it by maintaining the same speed as the vehicle in front and slowing down as you get closer. Then, maintain a longer distance as the vehicle in front speeds up again.
  • Monitor Your Cooling System: The good news is that your radiator helps keep the system cool. Fluid moving through the cooling system reduces the temperatures of all operating systems that need it, including the transmission. If you’re overdue for a cooling system service, have it done before you leave on your Thanksgiving trip to make sure there’s plenty of fresh coolant to keep the transmission cool.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you notice any warning signs like burning smells, delayed shifting, or unusual noises, don’t wait. At the first sign of your transmission overheating or any other symptoms of transmission problems, you should take your vehicle to a local transmission specialist for a thorough inspection.

For Athens area drivers dealing with daily traffic stress on their vehicles, pro transmission athens ga specialists understand the unique challenges of stop-and-go driving. At Pro Transmissions, we are more than just a transmission shop. We are your neighbors, committed to keeping Clarke County moving. Our team values honesty, integrity, and exceptional service. We understand that car troubles can be stressful, which is why we strive to make your experience as smooth as possible.

With a team of seven skilled technicians, including two Master Certified Technicians, we bring decades of combined experience to every job. Our commitment to quality is backed by industry-leading warranties on all our transmission rebuilds and general repairs.

Prevention is Your Best Investment

Many drivers may not realize that stop-and-go traffic is included in many “severe driving conditions” descriptions. Consistently driving in stop-and-go traffic can impact your vehicle’s components. If you are experiencing an overheating transmission or want to avoid other common transmission problems, here are some preventative steps you can take to keep your transmission running well over time.

Don’t let your daily commute become a costly transmission repair. By understanding how stop-and-go traffic affects your vehicle and taking proactive steps to protect your transmission, you can avoid the heartbreak – and wallet-ache – of premature transmission failure. Remember, nearly 90% of all preventable transmission catastrophes are due to a lack of attention to and overheating transmission. The important word here is preventable.

Your transmission works hard every day to get you where you need to go. Make sure you’re giving it the care and attention it deserves, especially if traffic jams are a regular part of your routine.