• Recognizing the Risks of Rebuilt Transmissions

    Transmission problems in Rockville, MD can sideline your vehicle and leave you stranded if you don’t take care of them quickly. If you ignore the warning signs and get to the point where your transmission won’t function at all, you’ll have to put more time, work, and money into your vehicle to get it up and running again. In some cases, a rebuilt transmission may be the best choice. However, you should never let an unqualified mechanic rebuild your transmission, as this will likely cause more harm than good. In this case, it’s best to work with a trusted mechanic and have your transmission replaced .

    Perhaps the biggest risk of having your transmission rebuilt is working with a professional that you didn’t realize was not fully prepared for the job. A transmission rebuild is a meticulous job, and one wrong move can be a serious setback. Unfortunately, you might not know this until you get your car back and go for a drive. If you have a rebuilt transmission that’s not functioning the way you thought it would, you should probably have it replaced. It could overheat, which affects other aspects of your car, and it will likely rack up your repair bills as well.

  • Debating the Virtues of Automatic and Manual Transmissions

    For the better part of a century, drivers have had to choose between automatic and manual transmissions. While both can get the job done, transmission problems in Bethesda, MD that apply to one might manifest differently in the other. If you’re not a transmission expert, watch this video to learn about the debate between automatic and manual transmissions.

    You need your transmission so that the power from your engine can make its way to the wheels of the vehicle, giving you control over your car or truck. With a manual transmission, you will have to change gears on your own to operate your vehicle and maximize your efficiency. An automatic transmission uses a planetary gearset, and it does the shifting work for you. Neither option is objectively better than the other, so you should consider your driving style and comfort behind the wheel when choosing yours.

  • Getting the Most Out of Your Transmission

    Since the transmission is such an integral component of your vehicle , you should do your best to take care of it. Avoiding transmission problems in Silver Spring, MD helps extend the life of your transmission and your vehicle as a whole. Your transmission needs clean fluids to keep it cool and efficient, and your transmission mechanic can help if you have any troubles. Knowing what stresses your car or truck will also help you reduce your risk for problems and stay on the road. Continue reading for some quick tips on getting the most out of your transmission.

    Change Your Fluids

    Unless you change your fluid as necessary, you can expect to run into transmission problems. Transmission fluid keeps the transmission itself from overheating, which is absolutely essential for the functioning of your vehicle. If your transmission overheats, it can’t properly distribute energy from the engine to your wheels. A transmission fluid leak can be disastrous because the more fluid you lose, the hotter the engine will get, which turns into even more transmission fluid being burnt. Check your transmission fluid regularly to keep the fluid fresh and catch leaks while there’s still time to fix them.

    See Your Mechanic

    No matter how good you are, you’re never too good to see your transmission mechanic. A healthy relationship with your transmission mechanic is good news for your ride. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you should only see your mechanic when something is wrong, and instead schedule regular maintenance checkups to make sure everything is right.

    Don’t Ride the Brakes

    When you use your clutch, you decide how the transmission will send energy from the engine to the wheels. If you overuse your brakes rather than shifting according to your speed, you could be doing some serious damage to your transmission. Riding the brakes is a common problem for people who drive cars with manual transmissions, which makes it all the more noteworthy. Try not to hit the brakes (or gas pedal) too abruptly so your engine has time to acclimate.

  • Break These Habits to Protect Your Car’s Clutch

    You have to take care of your clutch, or you’re going to have transmission problems in Silver Spring, MD before you know it. See your transmission repair service whenever it looks like a problem might be springing up, and don’t put your clutch under more pressure than you need to. Learn how to shift properly, don’t tow more than your vehicle can handle, and never use your clutch to stop when you’re driving on a hill. If you know you have some bad habits to break and you want to protect your car’s clutch, keep reading.

    Bad Shifting

    The main difference between a manual and automatic transmission that a driver will notice is the way the vehicle handles. With a manual transmission, you’ll have to shift from gear to gear yourself. If you don’t know how to shift gears properly, you’ll end up with transmission problems. Many drivers fail to wait until the clutch is fully disengaged before they shift to a different gear. Even letting off of your clutch before you’re completely in gear can quickly damage your clutch, as this can cause everything from premature warping of the dampener springs to warping of the disc. Be careful when you shift, and make sure to do it fully to protect your clutch.

    Towing and Burnouts

    If you picked out a heavy-duty truck specifically because you want to tow your ATVs or dirt bikes to the course every weekend, make sure you have the towing capacity you need for the job. Don’t attempt to tow more than your vehicle is capable of, or you’ll quickly burn out your clutch. Speaking of burnouts, peeling out from a stoplight will also wreak havoc on your clutch. Avoid these two problems to keep yours in shape.

    Clutching on a Hill

    Using your clutch in place of the brake is typically not a good idea, and if you’re on a hill, it’s even worse. Instead of relying on your clutch, use your emergency brake when you’re stopped on a hill to prevent rollback so you don’t roll or blow out your clutch.

  • What Your Nose Can Tell You About Your Transmission

    Could your car be having transmission problems ? The signs of a transmission issue are not always as clear as other kinds of car problems you may have. One way to determine if your transmission needs attention is to let your nose be your guide. Certain smells can indicate that your car needs to be evaluated in a transmission repair shop in Rockville, MD.

    Transmission fluid can have a sweet smell when it leaks out of your car. If you notice a maple smell as your approach your vehicle, leaked transmission fluid may be the cause. On the other hand, if your transmission fluid is not leaking but rather overheating, you may experience a burning smell. The smell may occur while you are driving, or you may notice it outside of your car after you turn it off. Both of these issues indicate that a transmission specialist should check out your car to see if you need any repairs.

  • FAQs About Changing Transmission Fluid

    Transmission fluid change in Silver Spring, MD

    As with most parts of your car, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to the transmission. One of the most basic things you can do to avoid transmission problems is to have the transmission fluid changed as recommended in your car’s owner’s manual. Because transmissions are one of the most complex parts of your car, only a transmission repair shop should change your fluid. Here are the answers to some FAQs you may have about avoiding transmission problems in Bethesda, MD by changing your transmission fluid.

    What exactly is transmission fluid?

    Transmission fluid plays multiple parts in the functioning of your transmission. It lubricates all of the parts of the system, works as a coolant to prevent your transmission from overheating, and helps to get power created by your engine to your transmission. Although transmission fluids all do the same thing, the kind of fluid your transmission needs is specific to the model. Your owner’s manual will tell you what kind of fluid needs to be used in your car.

    What are the consequences of not changing my transmission fluid?

    Over time, transmission fluid will break down and not perform properly. The fluid levels can also run low. If you don’t change your transmission fluid, your car may not shift and may become overheated. Typically, you won’t know that there is a problem with your fluid until damage has been done, so getting it changed at regular intervals is the best way to prevent any problems.

    How often should I have my transmission fluid changed?

    The intervals at which transmission fluid should be changed vary between car makes and models. Your owner’s manual will tell you what is right for your car. Your transmission specialist can also tell you if you need more regular changings based on the age of your car or how often you drive. Keep in mind that it is important to let a trained transmission specialist do the work for you to prevent any issues.

  • Breaking Down the Costs of Transmission Services

    For people who haven’t gotten their transmissions repaired or replaced in the past, dealing with transmission problems can lead to some initial sticker shock. In reality, repairing, rebuilding, or replacing transmissions is very intricate work that requires a range of specialty equipment and training as well as lengthy labor hours. To ensure that you are getting value for your dollar and quality work, choose a repair shop with transmission specialists in Silver Spring , such as Superior Transmissions. Here is a closer look at the some of the costs involved in transmission repair.

    Parts

    The parts used in modern transmissions are very complex and are built using expensive materials, so that they can be lighter while handling more torque than older cars. Depending on the make and model of the car, intricate computer components may also be used in the transmission. There are also large quantities of pieces that are used in transmissions, which further increases the costs. The price of each component reflects its complexity, and if you are getting an entirely new transmission, the cost will reflect both the complex nature of the system as well as the time spent manufacturing it.

    Labor

    The labor costs of your transmission repair or replacement will vary depending on the kind of car you have and the kind of service you need. However, there are few jobs that can be done quickly with transmissions. Even if certain components of your transmission are ultimately found to be functioning properly, it can take hours to test them. It is important for your transmission repair shop to do this kind of thorough testing, because transmissions are such valuable components. Failing to test the parts could lead you to invest money in repairing a transmission that ultimately does not have much life left in it. Although the labor costs of repairing or replacing a transmission may be slightly higher when you work with a transmission specialist, having these services done by an expert can save you money on future repairs caused by incomplete or inadequate work.

  • What Your Nose Can Tell You About Your Transmission

    Could your car be having transmission problems ? The signs of a transmission issue are not always as clear as other kinds of car problems you may have. One way to determine if your transmission needs attention is to let your nose be your guide. Certain smells can indicate that your car needs to be evaluated in a transmission repair shop in Rockville, MD.

    Transmission fluid can have a sweet smell when it leaks out of your car. If you notice a maple smell as your approach your vehicle, leaked transmission fluid may be the cause. On the other hand, if your transmission fluid is not leaking but rather overheating, you may experience a burning smell. The smell may occur while you are driving, or you may notice it outside of your car after you turn it off. Both of these issues indicate that a transmission specialist should check out your car to see if you need any repairs.

  • Avoid These Automatic Transmission Mistakes

    Although it’s not always possible to avoid transmission problems, the way you drive can have a big impact on the longevity of your system. If you need transmission repairs in Silver Spring, MD, choose a transmission specialist to get the job done. To reduce the risk of issues in automatic transmissions, watch this video to find out what mistakes you should avoid.

    One mistake to avoid is putting your car in neutral to coast down a hill, as it takes away some of your control. When you change from reverse to drive, be sure to come to a complete stop. This forces your brakes to stop the car, rather than your transmission, so that you don’t put excessive strain on the system. Follow these steps to make sure your transmission stays in good condition for as long as possible.

  • Top Ways to Destroy Your Transmission

    Transmission problems in Silver Spring, MD don’t happen out of anywhere, and they often spring up due to certain driving habits. You can’t expect your transmission to last if you never go in for a tune up and you abuse your vehicle in the way you drive. If your vehicle overheats, you don’t change your fluids, or you drive erratically, you can’t expect your transmission to last for as long as it normally would. Read ahead and take a closer look at some of the top ways to destroy your transmission.

    Overheating

    It’s best to wait until your engine warms up before you get going on a cold winter morning, but too much heat is bad for your vehicle as well. You never want to work your vehicle so hard that it overheats, so think about the way you drive as well as how frequently you service your car or truck. If your transmission runs hot, take your vehicle to the transmission shop and find out what’s going wrong before it burns out.

    Don’t Change Your Fluids

    One reason we use transmission fluid is to cool down the transmission itself. Clean and fresh fluid helps you avoid transmission problems by lubricating the system and reducing the amount of friction and heat that it creates. By checking your transmission fluid on a regular basis and changing it when you need to, you can avoid a host of transmission problems in the future. Healthy transmission fluid is typically a bright red hue, and it will start to turn darker and brown when it ages or becomes contaminated. Check your transmission fluid and make sure you’re not running on old, dirty fluid if you want to make your transmission last.

    Drive Erratically

    Your driving style plays an important role in the longevity of your transmission’s life. If you’re the type of driver that races from light to light, you can’t expect your transmission to last as long as it should. Try to ease into your movements rather than accelerating or braking too much too quickly.