Tag: Auto Repair and Maintenance

HOW OFTEN YOU NEED TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE ON YOUR CAR?

IMPORTANCE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID
The engine has many important parts that are very complicated and require proper maintenance and care to function smoothly. Transmission fluid is just a part of the process which makes the functioning of the transmission system smooth and easy. Just like the other fluids and oils in the car, transmission fluid is a lubricant. Its main purpose is to make sure the transmission function smoothly and doesn’t get damaged by keeping it cool and lubricated. It is really necessary to keep a track of the transmission fluid because if it goes bad, many problems can arise. The fluid helps make sure that the gears are not grinding against each other by keeping them lubricated. Over time in while protecting the gears from grinding, the fluid creates and collects a lot of debris which can cause problems in the process. It would affect the acceleration and the gear shifting won’t be as smooth as it was before. The presence of debris and dust particles make it really hard for the transmission fluid to do its job. These are the reasons why transmission fluid is so important for the car.

WHY GET IT CHANGED
The reasons to get the transmission fluid changed are many. From the loss of acceleration to gear shifting problems are some common examples. The major problem that can happen if transmission fluid is not changed is the complete transmission system failure. It is really serious as it is one of the most expensive repairs and it would take a good amount of time to get done. If you have to get the transmission system replaced, it would result in a huge amount of money and labor charges as well. The problems if not dealt with on time can result in serious problems and can result in breakdown and transmission failure at any time. It is something that a car owner should try to avoid by taking preventive steps and getting it checked and replaced as mentioned in the owner’s manual.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
The transmission fluid problem is not that easy to identify. It is hard to catch the signs and they increase at a quick rate. It is really important to be alert to it. The best way to identify it is by checking the color of the transmission fluid. If the fluid is in good condition, its color will be read. If the fluid is worn out and has debris, it would have turned brown. Also, check under the car when you park it or move it as it can help identify the problem. There would be a small puddle of fluid forming under the car when parked. Another sign would be trouble shifting gears and sounds while shifting gears. It could be a result of low fluid.

To get the car diagnosed and to get the transmission fluid replaced, you can visit a mechanics near you or hire a mobile mechanic near you to get the job done.

TIPS FOR CLEAR WINDSHIELD OF YOUR CAR

Here are some of the tips that can help you clean the windshield better without causing any damage to it.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLEANER
Choosing the right windshield clean is really important to prevent unnecessary scratches on the glass. When choosing windshield cleaner make sure to choose the one which has ammonia in it. Ammonia damages the tinted glass. Always check the labels while buying and make sure it says safe for tinted glass. These cleaners can be purchased at auto stores. You can also use regular water to clean the windshield. It won’t be as effective as the windshield cleaners, but it gets the job done.

MAKE A SCHEDULE TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD
Unlike other auto repairs or maintenance, cleaning the windshield is not on anyone’s list. It is important to make it a regular habit to get the windshield cleaned every couple of days or after a long trip. If you are planning to clean the windshield along with other maintenance like wax or polish, make sure to get the other things before cleaning the windshield. If you get the other things done after cleaning the windshield, something might spill on the glass later on and leave a mark which you would have to clean again. Make sure to clean the windshield from both inside and outside.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO CLEAN IT
Where your car is parked when you clean the windshield also matters. If you park the vehicle out in the sun, it can cause the windshield cleaner to evaporate even before you scrub it off. It is better to clean the windshield after parking the car in the garage or under a shade. By choosing the right place to clean the windshield, you can clean it easily without any problems.

CHOOSING RIGHT MATERIAL TO CLEAN IT
Choosing the right material to clean the windshield is really important as wrong materials used to wipe the windshield can damage it. Some people use tissues and newspaper to clean the windshield with water which damages the windshield and leaves scratches on it. The right thing to use is a towel to clean the windshield. Mechanics suggest you to use a high-quality microfiber towel to clean the windshield. It is recommended to use such towels as they are really smooth and provides the finish required to clean the glass. It also prevents scratches caused by electrostatic attraction.

All the necessary materials can be bought from any auto store near you. For any doubt regarding cleaning the windshield or replacing it, you should consult a mechanic near you. If you plan on getting it replaced, you can get it changed at a local auto repair shop or by a mobile mechanic near you.

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE SIMPLE AUTO REPAIR

HELP AVOID MAJOR PROBLEMS
There are many simple auto repairs that people ignore which in long-term can results in major problems if not taken seriously. Here are some of the simple auto repairs that people ignore which turn into major problems later on.

Oil and filter change: This is a simple auto repair that needs to be done every couple of months. As both oil and the filter affect the performance of the engine. The engine oil helps cool down the engine and lubricates the parts of the engine for smoother performance. While the filter is used to prevent the dust particles from entering the engine. The engine oil usually lasts 3000-7000 miles depending on the type and quality of the oil. While the filter needs to be replaced between 5000-7500 miles. If you ignore these simple repairs, it can result in major engine problems like overheating and complete engine breakdown. If you ignore replacing or servicing the filter it can result in damage to the internal parts of the engine.

Brake repairs: Brake system of the car consists of many components that work together to slow down and stop the car. The simple auto repair problems related to brakes are brake pad replacement, rotors resurfacing and replacement, and brake fluid change. These replacement and changes are required to maintain the braking system and don’t cost as much as major repairs. The brakes pads are to be replaced every 25000-60000 miles depending on the type of brake pad and style of driving. While the rotors are to be replaced every 30000-70000 miles. The rotors can last longer as they can be resurfaced when they get rough, but there is no such option for brake pads. If any simple brake repair is ignored, it would result in damage to the other parts of the system as well which would lead to major auto repair problems.

Tire replacement: This is another simple repair that does not need to be done often, but when the time comes, you should not ignore it. The safety of everyone in a car depends on the condition of the tyres and brakes. The tires usually need to be changed after 3-5 years. They need to be rotated after some time to manage the wear they take. If you ignore tire replacement, it can result in many major problems as it would affect the suspension, brakes, wheel alignment etc. Hence, it is better to get the simple things done in time to avoid such issues.

Radiator repairs: Radiator refill is the simplest thing a car owner has to do. It has to be a part of his daily routine to check the coolant level in the car. If the level is below par, it needs to be refilled. Radiator coolant helps cool down the heat generated from the engine. It needs to be flushed 30000 miles to avoid dirt and other particles from settling down in the radiator which can block the flow of coolant. If these simple measures and auto repairs are not done, the engine car overheats and cause a complete breakdown.

SAVES MONEY
The simple repairs that you get done on time help you to save money in the long-term as all the major problems are diagnosed well before and dealt with accordingly. Consider getting the simple auto repair done as a sort of preventive measure which helps to avoid major repairs and saves money in the process. There is some repair that cost a lot of money which can be avoided easily by getting the simple repairs done on time.

SAVES TIME
These repairs don’t take much time and can be done on any day. All you need is a couple of hours to get the repairs done. The local mechanics can get all these simple repairs done easily and it won’t take much of your time. It would be even better to book a mobile mechanic to get the auto repair service wherever you are, be it, at work or home. By spending a couple of hours on these repairs, you save a lot of time that you might have to spare to get the major repairs done in the future. Some major repairs require a whole day or even more, depending on the availability of the parts.

DO YOU NEED A COOLANT FLUSH FOR YOUR CAR THIS SUMMER?

WHY IS RADIATOR COOLANT SO IMPORTANT?
The radiator coolant is very important for a car because the engine would overheat without it which can lead to breakdown and engine failure. The coolant is what helps the heat to dispel and keep the engine cool. The coolant is added to the radiator in mixed proportion with water which helps prevent the water from freezing or boiling in the extreme temperatures. The engine generates extreme heat which is unbearable and the cooling system highly relies on the coolant water to play its part in cooling the engine down.

The coolant water is a mixture of water and antifreeze which are stored in the radiator of a car. Mechanics generally suggest you add 50/50 of antifreeze if you add more antifreeze in the mix it would increase the boiling point and decrease the freezing point. It is better to add 50/50 of both as it suits all kinds of condition an engine might face.

Without coolant, the heat generated by the internal combustion can easily destroy the engine in no time and water is not enough to keep the temperature under control. Thus, coolant is required to make sure that the engine can remain cool under extreme temperature. In summer, the temperature is very high and the water alone would evaporate entirely. In the same way, in winter the water would freeze and the car would not be able to function. There are many other reasons that make coolant really important fluid for the car.

The coolant prevents the internal parts of the engine from corrosion. The coolant requires being changed every 30000 miles and every time you feel the radiator water has reduced you need to refill it.

IMPORTANCE OF COOLANT FLUSH
The engine is prone to corrosion and coolants lose their properties as the time passes. Mostly, after a couple of years, the fluid when added to the radiator would look rusty instead of green, red or orange. It means that it is time to flush the radiator as it is the sign of rust at the bottom of the radiator. If the radiator is clean, the coolant will move more smoothly and the radiator would function more effectively. Mineral deposit, gunk, metal erosion are the things which can cause blockage and harm the system’s functioning. This can cause the engine to get hot and affect the performance of several parts of the car. Flushing the radiator removes all the unnecessary particles from the system.

WHEN TO GET COOLANT FLUSHED
The coolant flush should be done as recommended by the manufacturer. It is usually around 2 years or 30,000 miles. The radiator should be flushed when any related parts are replaced to prevent contamination of components. Climate and condition of the car is a major factor in which the interval to change fluids and parts depend. Making sure to get the coolant replaced on the noted time or when other worn-out parts are replaced is necessary and should not be avoided.