bookmark_borderHow Do I Check The Transmission Repair For Problems

Signs of a bad transmission

What is a transmission?

The transmission is a device that is connected to the back of the engine and sends the power from the engine to the drive wheels. An automobile engine runs at its best at a certain RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) range and it is the transmission’s job to make sure that the power is delivered to the wheels while keeping the engine within that range. It does this through various gear combinations. In first gear, the engine turns much faster in relation to the drive wheels, while in high gear the engine is loafing even though the car may be going in excess of 70 MPH. In addition to the various forward gears, a transmission also has a neutral position which disconnects the engine from the drive wheels, and reverse, which causes the drive wheels to turn in the opposite direction allowing you to back up. Finally, there is the Park position. In this position, a latch mechanism (not unlike a deadbolt lock on a door) is inserted into a slot in the output shaft to lock the drive wheels and keep them from turning, thereby preventing the vehicle from rolling.

 

Common signs of transmission problems

Your car’s transmission has run so well for so long, it can be a shock to hear you might have transmission problems. However, the earlier you spot the signs and get it looked at by a mechanic, the better off your car and your wallet will be.

To help you stay aware of your transmission and know when it’s time to get it checked, we’re sharing five of the most common signs of transmission problems. If you spot any of these clues, it’s time to set up a service appointment.

Leaking Fluid

A leaking transmission can cause a breakdown in short order. Leaking fluid could be a result of pan gasket damage, axle seal leaks, fluid lines and more. Any component of the system that has gaps or has been damaged could be the source of the leak. While leaking transmission fluid doesn’t mean you can’t drive the car, it’s not recommended to do so. You could cause permanent damage, worsening the original problem. Get leaking transmission fluid checked right away.

Burning Smell

Anytime you smell burning when it comes to your car you should pay attention. First, check the fluid. Automatic transmission fluid is typically bright red and smells slightly sweet if everything is running smoothly. If it’s dark or has a burnt smell, you’ll likely need the fluid changed, and you should also have your transmission inspected for potential problems. The burnt fluid typically means the transmission has overheated, and this requires the attention of a professional mechanic.

 

Shaking or Grinding

When you start to feel some jerking, shaking, or grinding while driving down the road, it’s likely that you’re experiencing issues with your transmission gears. Automatic transmissions will typically feel like they’re trying to “wiggle” into gear instead of moving fluidly, while manual transmissions will start to grind when you engage the clutch and shift gears.

If you let the problem persist, the shaking and grinding will likely only get more violent. We recommend letting your mechanic inspect and repair your car as soon as you start experiencing these issues to minimize damage.

Gears Slipping

If your car starts spontaneously deciding it would rather be in neutral while driving down the road, it likely means that the link holding your gears in place has broken down inside your transmission. If you experience this, do not delay getting your car inspected. It’s a serious hazard!

Check Engine Light Is On

Your car’s sensors are there for a reason, and you shouldn’t ignore them. When your check engine lights flashes, it can point to many things – one of which is your transmission. While it might not seem like anything is wrong, those sensors can start detecting issues well before you can feel them.

 

Pay attention to your transmission fluid

It’s purely reiteration at this point, but with your transmission fluid being the core of the entire transmission system, it’s truly imperative that you must sort it out properly.

To begin with, regularly checking your transmission fluid level can indicate to the driver immediately if there’s anything wrong with the transmission itself. If there’s a worrying lack of transmission fluid, the driver would also know it before any serious transmission damage is incurred.

However, with the transmission fluid system being a closed circuit, an unusual lack of transmission fluid can quickly identify itself as a serious transmission fluid leak that must be looked at immediately.

It’s also a good habit to check the fluid level yourself after getting your fluid changed at a workshop, just in case it wasn’t done properly. Also make sure that you choose the appropriate transmission fluid for your application, which should be indicated overtly in the owner’s manual.

Since the ideal fluid level is essential to proper automatic transmission operation, it’s also important to note that fluid in good condition should be a clear, typically red, hue. If it’s cloudy, dirty, absolutely opaque or smells like rotten seafood, you should bring your car to a reputable workshop as soon as possible.

While not exactly pertaining to transmission fluid, it’s also important to ensure your cooling system is in good nick. Many cars nowadays have integrated transmission fluid coolers that relies on the engine’s cooling system itself. Any mechanical component that’s operating with less excess heat will last longer.

 

Maintenance

So, what can you do to prevent these problems from occurring? The most important thing is to be sensitive to the sounds and functions of your transmission so that you can notice any odd behavior as soon as it begins. The transmission is a sensitive and complex system, in which small problems can very quickly escalate into major ones. Since this system is so expensive to repair, nipping any problem in the bud will save time, money, and hassle.

Even if you don’t notice any problems with your transmission, you should still check your transmission fluid twice a year. Maintaining proper fluid levels can help to prevent problems from developing. In addition to checking the level of the fluid, check the color and odor, just as you would when checking the oil level.

Next, remember that transmission oil, like engine oil, needs to be replaced at appropriate intervals. While a complete servicing done at a dealership will most likely include a change of transmission oil, your local mechanic may not do so at every servicing. Make sure that you keep complete and accurate records of your car’s service history, including each oil change. That way, you will know if a transmission oil change is overdue. For guidelines on when such a change must be done, see your owner’s manual, which will recommend the appropriate timeline for transmission oil changes and the grade of oil which should be used. Make sure that the oil filter is changed along with the oil. Also have your mechanic check carefully for any leaks in the system when the car is serviced.

Additionally, try to avoid driving behaviors that can place excess strain on the transmission. “Rocking” a vehicle to get it out of a snow bank or rut can easily destroy a transmission in minutes. This is because this “back and forth” gear shifting causes the transmission to heat up, which will result in rubber parts “like the very important seals and gaskets” failing. The transmission fluid will also burn off, and metal parts can warp. All of this leads to a useless transmission. Towing a heavy load, driving in continuous stop and go traffic in hot weather, and racing can also cause a transmission to overheat.

Finally, towing the car with the drive wheels (front or back, depending on the car) still on the road can damage a transmission as well. Your towing company should know better, but just in case, be on the safe side and check.

bookmark_borderLocal Auto Repair

How an Auto Repair Shop is Winning Female Customers With Social Media

How does a small auto repair business develop a thriving Facebook page–with over 60 percent female fans?

He always made an effort to develop personal relationships with his customers who trusted him with their cars. The business grew to three locations by 2010, and Matt found it harder to maintain the small-shop feel. “When you have multiple stores and multiple managers, you can’t be everything to everybody,” he said.

Think Like a Customer

When Gutierrez told her friends she was working for an auto repair shop, they laughed. “I only think about car stuff when I HAVE to,” she said. She compares taking her car in to going to the dentist. “I think I represent the average person that way,” she added.

Be Friendly and Tag Photos

Auto repair is an industry based on trust. Trust is built on knowing the people doing the work. “People buy from people,” said Matt. “Business is a lot easier when they know the people they are dealing with. The more transparent we can be—and social media gives us that opportunity—can only help build trust.”

She also makes an effort to tag photos as much as possible, although it can be complicated to tag a customer. She has to log into the business page as herself, be friends with the person she is tagging and they have to like the page.

Promote the Community

“Some of those stories we would tell over Facebook,” said Matt. “It is really promoting Free2B, but people come to realize that those things are happening at our shop. Without social media, some of those stories aren’t told.”

 

Essential Tools No Car Mechanic Should Be Without

Car mechanics reveal the 20 automotive tools they couldn’t live without, including a battery-powered impact wrench, an air ratchet, a bolt spinner and an automotive stethoscope.

The car mechanic tools you need in your toolbox

Doing your own car repairs saves a boatload of money and gives you bragging rights on Monday morning. (Yeah, I replaced my crankshaft over the weekend-so what?) But let’s be honest here—you’re really in it for the tools, right? That’s what I thought, so I asked three shop owners, our auto mechanic field editors and my gearhead friends to tell you about their favourite tools. I’ve also added all the special tools I wish I’d had when I first started bustin’ bolts (and knuckles). Most are less than $100. And you can use them for non-automotive projects too. There, isn’t that all the justification you need to buy more tools?

Impact wrench

David Marofsky and his auto salvage yard crew spend most of their time out in the yard yanking major components out of junk vehicles. So it’s no surprise that his tool of choice is a portable impact wrench. What does surprise me is that all the professional mechanics featured in this story routinely use battery-powered impact wrenches—and not just when they’re outside. In fact, David owns several of these workhorses and always keeps one near the hoist. “It hasn’t let me down yet,” he says. If you’re ready for power on the go and in the shop, check out a battery-powered impact wrench

Air ratchet

Kurt Spohn owns Action Auto Repair and shares our love of tools, so it’s no surprise that he recommends an air ratchet. Word to the wise: Be careful when reinstalling nuts and bolts. Make sure the threads are fully engaged before you hit the trigger. Because if they’re not, this ratchet is powerful enough to ram a cross-threaded bolt all the way home.

Flex-head ratchet

Paul Selbitschka owns a Precision Tune Auto Care shop that specializes in auto diagnostics and spends quite a bit of time under the hood doing tune-ups and computer diagnostics. Since I already had nominations for power tools, I asked him for his favourite hand tool. He didn’t hesitate for a second. He simply loves his flex-head ratchet. The ultra-thin head lets Paul squeeze into tight spaces, and the flex feature allows him to pivot the handle to get maximum leverage for loosening fasteners and spark plugs. The large plastic handle lets him put more muscle into the “break.” The ratchet really goes to town once the bolt is loose. Paul just twirls the handle 360 degrees and spins the nuts and bolts out in seconds.

 

Foreign & Domestic Auto Repairs

Quality auto repair is a partnership between a vehicle owner and their dedicated technician. This relationship saves lives–that is, engine lives

Quality Same-Day Services

We build lasting relationships with our customers. This way we can get to know your vehicle’s performance needs, your driving habits, and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Your part in this owner/technician relationship is simple–all we need is your car, and your trust. Trust us to always have you and your vehicle’s best interest at heart. Auto repairs are our job, and we perform them with more speed and accuracy than any repair shop in this area. A trip to WCS Automotive’s repair facility doesn’t have to be an all day affair. We provide quality same-day services that make receiving auto service as convenient as possible. We understand that auto service appointments are an interruption to your already busy day.

If you’re seeing, hearing, or smelling that something’s not right with your vehicle, let us tell you what’s wrong. The faster you can get our professionals on the job, the faster we can get you back to worry-free driving. You’ve never driven your vehicle with more confidence than when you drove it off the dealer’s lot.

 

GOOD AUTO REPAIR

full-service auto repair shop working on all makes and models, including imports, domestics, hybrids, vintage cars, commercial vehicles, and RVs. We offer brake inspections & repair, anti-lock brakes, check engine scans, general and factory scheduled auto repair and more. We’re known for our exceptional, high quality service and family vibe, where all people, pets, and cars are welcome and treated with care and respect.

MISSION STATEMENT

We strive to support the community and everyone in it, from the soccer moms who need a reliable taxi cab to transport their precious cargo, to the person who has that classic beauty sitting in the garage and just wants it to run again.

Car Repair is known as a Volkswagen specialty shop, and while we continue to work on VWs and sell a large assortment of new and used VW parts over-the-counter, today, we do so much more! We have two ASE Master certified technicians trained and equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on both import and domestic vehicles, using the latest automotive technology. All of our technicians are continuously growing their knowledge and skills by enrolling in a variety of training courses such as Hybrid Diagnosis & Repair, Engine control systems,

 

Quality Auto Service

We treat our customers like family, and customer service like an art. Having our dedicated mechanics to handle your vehicle’s services will make sure you’re always on the road and on time. Come to us for total car care that can fix any performance issue you bring us. Our ASE Certified technicians are eager to service and eager to solve your automotive problems

not just auto service experts, but you can consider us your vehicle’s best friend. We know how to treat you and your vehicle the way you both deserve to be treated. Understanding the manufacturer’s intentions for your vehicle’s service and performance allows us to perform the most appropriate services

Returning your vehicle in tip-top shape, and keeping it there, is our number one priority. Our team understands that engineers are designing much more sophisticated vehicles these days. Technicians need to stay on top of all industry advancements, and our team stays on the cutting edge of all technology.

Vehicles with complex electrical systems need qualified technicians who understand how to service them. Engines that are built for increased power and performance also need

Quality auto service is the key to your vehicle’s longevity and peak performance. You need a team of technicians you can trust, who are dedicated to maintaining your vehicle’s enhanced performance. We understand that life on the road can be rough on your vehicle’s engine and components. Even if your vehicle has a simple commute and consistent driving routine, your personal habits, rough terrains, and the age of your vehicle will require special attention. From bumper-to-bumper we got you covered! As soon as you notice any malfunction with your brakes, engine, transmission, A/C, steering and suspension, fleet repairs, and much more, come see us first! Save yourself some time and money by trusting our shop’s total car care services.