Transmission issues and how to avoid them, saving you big dollars $$

Knowing how to prevent transmission repairs will help you avoid problems and save you money on repairs." Ka-ching!

We all could use a little extra cash and wouldn’t you rather enjoy a day at the spa than pay for a costly transmission repair?

So, let’s start with the basics

What is a transmission?

Plain and simple, a transmission allows mechanical power to be sent from a power source such as an engine or motor, to a drive mechanism or drive wheels. There are two types of automobile transmissions, manual and automatic. Automatic transmission, shifts gears automatically I know boring right? Or ho hum With an automatic transmission you select the gear you want to be in and the transmission will shift into higher and lower gears by itself. The key to the automatic transmission is the torque converter, which takes the place of a clutch in a manual transmission.Automatic transmissions use hydraulic oil pressure to apply its own clutch packs or bands inside the transmission to develop the various gear ranges. By applying a clutch pack or bands, the clutches grab onto one of the gear train components, which either holds or turns that component. The combination of holding and turning enables the gear set to create different gear ratios within the transmission. Manual transmission requires a little more of the drivers participation or concentration in that it requires the driver to shift the gears up and down when necessary, more POWER or sounds like fun! Or zoom, zoom. Shift gears on a manual transmission are based on the vehicle's speed and this requires the use of the clutch pedal and the gear shift stick. Learning to control the clutch pedal can be a challenge but once you got it down it’s like riding a bike, you never forget how.


Noticing Minor Problems Before They Become a Major Problem / Preventive Maintenance:

• If you notice reddish oil leak on the transmission or underneath your car, have your service technician check to see if it is actually coming from your transmission and not your power steering system.

• An automatic transmission will shift smoothly and quietly under light acceleration, purrs like a kitten. Heavier acceleration will give a firmer shift at higher speeds. You are not that Nascar driver that you think you are, so be gentle on your acceleration. Pay attention to any unusual noises or new sounds that you may hear while shifting the car. Or while driving at different shifting speeds.

• Transmission problems can occur when the car gets over heated, so don’t overheat. Treat your car like you would a lover, gently and with respect. Or Treat your car like you do your family with love, gentleness and respect .Towing heavy load trailers, rocking the vehicle back and forth from the mud or snow, continuous stop and go traffic in severely hot weather, drag racing with teenagers causes overheating. In normal driving condition the overdrive should be always on.
  You may need to switch it off when driving in mountainous area or towing a trailer.At extreme higher operating temperatures the transmission fluid oxidizes turning brown and smells like burnt toast! The heat destroys lubricating qualities and becomes oxidized leaving deposits all over inside the transmission. The rubber seals and gaskets become hardened and begin to leak. Doesn’t sound pretty and neither are you when you get overheated, keep your cool.

• Transmission fluid is a detergent based fluid that acts as a lubricant to reduce friction and wear on the internal transmission part. After time and putting a lot of mileage on your car, this detergent loses its lubrication capacity therefore regularly checking the correct fluid levels ( don’t over fill ) and changing the fluids is key to keeping the transmission in good working order. Clean transmission fluid looks just like cherry Vicks 44 cough syrup and when it get dirty and needs to be changed it becomes a real pukey brown color. If you don't change the transmission fluid on a regular basis you can lubricate your transmission with metal shavings from internal and normal wear, from the clutches and bands that are being cycled old contaminated fluid, this will shorten the transmission's life. Your vehicle manufacturer has specific recommendations as to when to change the transmission fluid, as a general rule and based on these recommendations a transmission fluid replacement should be done every 30,000 miles.

• A simple transmission service is incomplete, a waste of your time and hard earned money ( remember day spa? ) this service only removes the transmission pan and generally only drains 75% of the old transmission fluid, leaving 25% contamination to mix with the clean fluid. Make sure you get a complete transmission fluid service this will ensure that all the old fluid is drained out of the transmission lines and replaced with only fresh fluids. Keep your fluids running clean and fresh!

Eco- Lube complete transmission fluid service will assure the customer that the transmission lines are replaced with only fresh fluids until the next scheduled service date! Putting off preventive maintenance may just lead to greater damage and bigger expenses so why not call Eco- Lube and make a date!

You'll Love Our Service, I'll Guarantee It!

 

Hot Hot Hot …. Or Not

Hot Hot Hot …. Or Not

The temperature may have been right for Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like It Hot” but these days when you’re out and about, you want to keep your cool.

So here’s the quick and easy way to be sure you stay cool even when the heat is on.

Signs that your A/C is not running purrfectly……….

If all you’re getting is a blast of hot air and it’s not coming from the passenger in the seat next to you, then there’s an issue with your A/C system.

This kind of problem is often caused by a loss of refrigerant. It could be leaking out of the hose or seal or a clogged condenser could be preventing the refrigerant from re-circulating through the refrigeration circuit.

Since the air compressor is not designed to run full time, we recommend shutting it off before it goes kaput.

If you turn on the air conditioner and it smells like the inside of a high school gym locker, it means there’s water condensation inside the A/C evaporator.

If the drain tube from the inside of the car is clogged, mold and stale water collects in the box and when this happens you’ll see water on the floor of the car.

Make sure to set the system to the OUTSIDE air mode (not REC) frequently to help prevent or lessen this smelly problem. And no, those hanging green tree air fresheners will not get rid of that nasty smell! You’ll need to unclog the drain tube and try turning off the A/C a couple of miles from your destination, then turn the fan on high to dry out the system.

Freon Recharge is important for the performance of your A/C system to keep it running purrfectly………..

Every air conditioning system needs a refrigerant (also called a coolant) that creates the cool air known as Freon. AC Freon is the cooling agent used in most air conditioning systems.

Cooling is a process where the Freon (refrigerant) gas is compressed into a liquid state & this liquid cools the car. Think of the way you feel after drinking a tall, icy lemonade …. Freon liquid does the same for your car.

Throughout the life of the A/C condensation can build up in the system causing internal pressure to increase. This in turn can lead to leaks through the seals, making it an environmental hazard.

Moisture restricts the ability of Freon from converting to a liquid state, depleting your level of Freon. Time for a Freon recharge!

• It’s against the law to release Freon into the atmosphere because it causes ozone depletion. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to do it right. There’s a good chance you’ll mess it up … not just the car but your hair, your nails, your makeup …. so take it to the professionals at Eco Lube to be sure you’re not causing damage to the environment. Eco Lube recycles the Freon...where would you put it?

Eco Lube also adds fresh Freon to the proper level and adds synthetic lubricant to the compressor so the system will operate in top form. You like to be in tip-top shape and so does your car!

• The recommended Freon refrigerant recharge is every 2 years even in newer cars. However you may need to physically recharge yourself sooner than that!

Get a routine A/C recharge from Eco Lube and be a happy camper when you crank up the A/C and lets you keep your cool.

How To Avoid Problems and Save $$

A Personal Note From Your Car

Dear Car Owner,

It’s me, your car. It’s time we had a heart to heart talk. Simply put, a valve to valve talk about the way you’ve been treating me lately.

You may want to buckle up and sit back as this could be a bumpy ride … which is expected when you don’t put air in my tires. You’re really ‘braking’ my heart by putting all of your needs before mine.

I spend my days shifting your car from gear to gear knowing just what speed you want and how quickly you want to get there.

You can feel the static friction through the core of my entire engine. You’ve been a little neglectful these past few months and I’m starting to get overheated.

You might want to look into adding some water to my radiator before you find yourself stuck on the side of the road again in the dead of night. I know how scared you are of the dark. BOO!

Remember when you didn’t change my left headlight for months because you figured the right headlight would illuminate the road enough for you to drive the back roads of Maine in the middle of winter at 2:00 am? Now, please get me a drink of coolant and fill my radiator before I blow a gasket and decide to leave you on the side of the road again crying like a little girl!

My sleek and luxurious best friend, Aston Martin suggested you read “Men Are From Mars and Cars Are From Venus” to help you brush up on your listening skills since they seem to be muffled. This book is similar to your manufacturer’s service manual so I recommend you read and follow the manual’s direction as well.

Aston told me it saved his relationship with his owner James Bond, who now treats him like a magnificent piece of machinery that he truly is!

Let’s face it, you haven’t given me your undivided attention in a long time and it’s becoming quite exhausting. Every time I rev up, sputter, whine, hiss, ping or squeal my engine, you close the window and crank up that new stereo, tuning me out. It’s really starting to blow my pistons. You might want to take a peak underneath my hood before I start blowing grayish blue smoke out my rear end!

Now that I poured out all my oil from crying, all I ask of you is to love me tender, love me sweet, service me and I’ll keep you safe and free from costly major repairs through all the years, till the end of time.

Your Loyal Means of Transportation,

Mustang Sally

Service Manual Recommendations: How Important Are They?

It’s quite the dilemma … do you spend time reading one of the top 10 on the New York Time’s bestseller list or read 800 pages of a car owner’s service manual?

                                                                                             
Believe it or not, one does have more urgency than the other. The bestseller can wait but keeping and maintaining your car’s performance at its optimal level cannot.
Let’s start by locating the car manual. Do you know where it is?
For those fortunate people who have a brand spanking new car, try looking in the glove compartment and “Voila,” we bet you’ll find it there!

If you own a used car or gave away the service manual or you’re a pack-rat and it’s lost in the pile of papers stacked in your hallway, all is not lost. You can order the manual from your local dealer or download a copy online through the manufacturer’s website. If you download a copy, be sure to bookmark it on your computer for easy accessibility when you get the urge to read it.
The car's service manual is the best way to learn how to maintain and extend the life of your car. The manufacturer’s manual was written by handsome factory designers who built your vehicle. These are not just any tech geeks but really, really smart ones. They loaded the manual with valuable instructions, information and warnings just for you, the car owner.

These engineers have tested the various systems and components to meet durability and safety standards. To make it easy for you, they include recommended maintenance schedules specifically designed to achieve those standards.
The maintenance schedule is generally given in mileage intervals. A lot will depend on how you drive. Do you drive at the speed of sound pretending you’re on the German autobahn? Or do you drive as slow as molasses like your grandmother/grandfather? How far you drive and the climate also impact the maintenance schedule.
Generally the manufacturer’s recommendations include checking the brakes, tire pressure, all fluid levels, making sure the engine is running correctly and replacing any parts that have become worn and less effective.

How To Extend The Life Of Your Vehicle:

• Oil Changes – The best weight, grade and type of oil that will make your engine purr is specified in your owner’s manual under viscosity recommendations. Standard oils are any that meet the American Institute “SH” rating. For the ultimate in high performance durability and all-round performance you’ll want to use synthetic oils. Clean motor oil contains detergents which protect your motor from friction and heat. Over a period of time the oil gets nasty dirty causing it to clog the engine. Not changing the oil and fluids is a death sentence for your car. You don’t want to kill your ride, do you?

• Brake Service – Have your brakes inspected to be sure they’re working properly. You’ll need to replace any worn discs before you start doing a “Fred Flintstone” by putting your feet through the floorboards to stop your car. The average person drives anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand miles per year and uses their brakes about 75,000 times … unless you live in my neighborhood. Brake fluid's boiling point drops when it’s contaminated by moisture so it's important to change it regularly to keep water out. Evacuate the brake fluid, clean out the system and replace it with fresh fluid. A tire pressure check should be included with this service.

• Fuel Injector System Cleaning - The fuel injector is a valve that delivers the gas / diesel fuel to the right place, in the right amount, at the right time. These calculated amounts of air and fuel are typically mixed together before being sucked into the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. You’ll know it’s time for a fuel injector systems cleaning if your car has lost it’s ‘get up and go,’ your wallet is lighter because you’re buying more gas or you’re hearing a knocking sound as you accelerate. Cleaning will remove fuel varnish build up, reduce intake valve/cylinder head deposits, improve your vehicle’s performance, increase gas mileage and reduce emissions. Don’t forget the fuel filter – it’s an important part of a comprehensive fuel system cleaning.

Bottom line: put your Kindle down and get acquainted with the service manual for your car and follow the recommendations to keep your vehicle in safe, reliable condition.
Schedule your next service appointment with the knowledgeable and certified technicians at Eco Lube!