in General

How Long Should My Gearbox Last?

When buying a new car, you expect the parts to last you a long time and while some are likely to run down faster than others, the gearbox is one part you don’t want to be replacing. While we can expect to be replacing oil, spark plugs, headlight bulbs and more on a fairly regular basis, knowing how long key elements like your gearbox system are due to last can help you not only prepare for repairs later down the line but know what to keep an eye out for. Whether you have a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission, we’ve got you covered – here’s how long your gearbox should last on average. 

Manual Transmission

Generally speaking, a manual transmission should last the lifespan of your car, but it’s slightly more complicated than that. In terms of mileage, most gearboxes are expected to last around 120,000 miles on average, but the lifespan can change depending on a few key factors, including: 

  • The quality of the gearbox – You might not know the quality of the gearbox when you buy your car, particularly if you don’t have a lot of knowledge about how the mechanics of your vehicle tick. Some gearboxes can be the highest quality available and still have a small glitch that causes problems sooner rather than later, while others can be considered a lower quality and last hundreds of thousands of miles.
  • How you drive – Your driving habits will also affect the lifespan of your gearbox. Accelerating too quickly, braking too hard and changing through the gears too early or too late could cause premature wear and reduce the lifespan of some parts of your gearbox. 
  • Maintenance throughout its lifespan – The more you keep on top of the maintenance of your gearbox, the longer it’s likely to last. Making sure you’re replacing oils and lubricants as needed works wonders by reducing the potential head build-up and ensuring a smooth operation.

Automatic Transmission

Your automatic transmission may last longer than a manual alternative due to less chance of user-error or bad driving habits creating a more rapid deterioration. Automatic transmission gearboxes can typically last around 150-200,000 miles, though this will also depend on a few factors: 

  • Maintenance – Just like a manual gearbox, your automatic transmission will need regular maintenance, ranging from fluid replacements to ensuring things are repaired if an error flags up. Having the system serviced regularly and making the switch to synthetic fluid could help reduce heat build-up and improve the lifespan and driving quality your transmission provides. 
  • Driving style – While you aren’t able to switch up or down through the gears too fast, you can still cause damage to the transmission by poor driving. Accelerating too fast or breaking too hard can put strain on the gears, as can trying to switch to reverse before you’ve stopped completely. Having more of a plan for your next moves can also help, as you can better prepare for acceleration or braking and give your vehicle a chance to switch through gears properly and in good time. 
  • Setting off too early – If you have an automatic transmission, setting off before your car has had the time to properly warm up could lead to problems with the system. Cold engine oil is naturally thicker than warm and so it takes more to push it through the system. Giving it a chance to warm up before you set off reduces the risk of friction or heat build up. 

Both automatic and manual gearboxes should last you years, if not the entire lifespan of your vehicle if looked after properly. With regular maintenance and due care and attention, you can enhance the performance and lifespan of your gearbox throughout your car’s life. We are on hand to help with regular servicing schedules as well as repairs if things go wrong. Simply get in touch with a member of our team to book your car in at your local Service4Service garage, today.