What is one effect of the additional wear on transmission caused by towing a trailer?

When towing a trailer, the additional weight and resistance significantly impact various aspects of the vehicle's performance, particularly the transmission. The correct answer highlighting reduced fuel efficiency is linked to the increased effort required from the engine to manage both the vehicle's original weight and the added weight of the trailer.

As the transmission works harder to transfer power and maintain speed while towing, it experiences more wear and tear. This increased strain often results in the engine consuming more fuel to overcome the extra load, leading to decreased overall fuel efficiency. Towing generally requires more power and can hinder the smooth operation of the transmission, which also contributes to the reduced fuel economy.

The other options, while they may sound plausible, do not accurately reflect the impact of towing a trailer on a vehicle's operation. Improved acceleration and better handling might be contrary to expectations when extra weight is involved, as vehicles typically slow down and become less responsive when towing. Similarly, towing adds strain to not just the transmission but the entire engine, thus causing more wear rather than relieving strain.