Many people seem to never care for their vehicle unless it goes dead. Just like a stitch in time saves nine, keeping your car's transmission in good shape will help you to save loads of money on repair later on. Once you notice any problem in the working of your car, make sure you get it fixed at the earliest to prevent any further damage.

Your transmission is one of the forgotten components of your car, but without a smoothly operating transmission you may find yourself stranded at the side of a 12 lane highway. Here are some things to watch for:

- Warning lights telling you to add transmission fluid
- Thumping or lagging when shifting.
- Failure to shift or delays when shifting.
- Applying gas only increases the speed of engine.
- Car shows signs of sluggishness when cold.
- Any stains of red, pink or brown below your car.
- Unusual noises such as grinding or clunking.
- Engine overheating.

If you have been noticing any of the these tell-tale signs with your car, it probably means it is time to have your transmission looked at.

Today's vehicles are very sophisticated and automatic car transmission systems are very complicated. While relatively rare, a defect in your transmission system could even make your car unsafe to drive.

Some of the top causes that can damage your car's transmission include overheating, harsh driving, failure to keep fluids at their proper level, do-it-yourself maintenance, and letting an inexperienced technician work on the transmission.

It almost goes without saying that repairing a car's transmission can be quite an expensive repair. That makes proper maintenance very important. It is the best way to cut down on repairs that might have otherwise have happened later on down the road. You can use the following simple rules to maintain your car's transmission in good health:

- Check your transmission fluid regularly.
- Stick to one brand of transmission fluid.
- Change the transmission fluid every 24,000 miles.
- Never shift from reverse gear to drive in motion.
- Use the emergency brake properly.
- Don't go from park to drive if engine isn't idling.

The way you drive will also have a huge impact on the life and operation of your transmission. Follow these driving tips to ensure that all components of your vehicle continue to operate without problems:

- Turn off electrical accessories when starting.
- Stop before you shift into first or reverse.
- Do not run down to a completely empty gas tank.
- Keep your tires properly inflated.
- Turn the steering gently and easily around corners.
- Don't ride the clutch.
- Heed your vehicle's warning lights.
- Listen carefully to your car.
- Drive your car regularly. Don't let it sit idle.

If you do have transmission problems, be sure to find a repair service that specializes in transmissions. If you are lucky you will have a garage in your community that offers expert transmission service.

Often such shops know more about vehicle transmissions than dealer service shops. They will probably be quite a bit less expensive too.