Does Idling Hurt Your Transmission?

People idle their vehicles for a variety of reasons – to warm it up on cool days and to keep it cool on warm days. But what does idling mean for your transmission? Camarillo Independent in Camarillo, CA has the answers.

In short, idling for extended periods of time is hard on your engine, and transmission. Your transmission relies on your car’s cooling system to stay at operating temperature and relies on RPM to pump transmission fluid efficiently through the lines that keep it cool. When your engine is running at idle speeds, it isn’t cooling as efficiently as it should be, and your transmission fluid is circulating slowly. As a result, your fluid retains more heat, and your transmission isn’t lubricating as effectively as it should be.

In addition, any time your vehicle is running, it’s also wearing out. Even in park, components inside your transmission are hard at work, and just because you aren’t racking up mileage doesn’t mean the wear and tear element isn’t prevalent. All in all, it’s better to shut the car off if you’ll be stationary for more than just a few minutes.

No matter your transmission questions, or repair and maintenance needs, our technicians have you covered. For the best transmission service shop in Camarillo, CA, call or stop by Camarillo Independent today.