The most common transmission services your car may need
Manual Transmission Clutch Repair Over time, the clutch and related components wear out. The clutch plates, pressure plate, flywheel, and other parts of your manual transmission all wear out with use and must be replaced. As they wear out, you'll start to notice a difference in the way your car drives, including hard shifting, difficulty starting, loss of power, and slipping, especially in lower gears. During a clutch service, your mechanic will inspect all of the components of your car's manual clutch and replace any that are worn or damaged.
Signs of a Failing Alternator
Dim or flickering headlights When an alternator wears out and fails, it can begin to provide inconsistent voltage to the electronic accessories it powers. This can cause your headlights to appear dimmer, brighter, or flicker than usual. The longer this continues, the more likely you are to have a real problem with a faulty alternator. The battery is frequently drained This is a difficult question to answer because it could mean so many things. A dead battery could be the result of something you forgot to plug in when you parked your car, or it could be that the battery is getting old and needs to be replaced. It could also be a sign that your alternator is wearing out. This is because a bad alternator can't charge your car battery very well, which means that a battery that's not fully charged will die under less load. If you haven't had a new battery or had it checked in at…
Signs of a Failing Alternator
Dim or flickering headlights When an alternator wears out and fails, it can begin to provide inconsistent voltage to the electronic accessories it powers. This can cause your headlights to appear dimmer, brighter, or flicker than usual. The longer this continues, the more likely you are to have a real problem with a faulty alternator. The battery is frequently drained This is a difficult question to answer because it could mean so many things. A dead battery could be the result of something you forgot to plug in when you parked your car, or it could be that the battery is getting old and needs to be replaced. It could also be a sign that your alternator is wearing out. This is because a bad alternator can't charge your car battery very well, which means that a battery that's not fully charged will die under less load. If you haven't had a new battery or had it checked in at…
Automatic air conditioning repair and air conditioning charging
What happens during your car air conditioning recharge service? An A/C refill service is similar to a transmission fluid flush or oil change service. Existing refrigerant, which may be too low, is first pumped out to complete the necessary work before the A/C system is completely refilled with fresh refrigerant. A refill on an A/C is often necessary due to low refrigerant caused by a leak, so a professional technician will also perform a specialized leak diagnostic using dyes and specialized equipment to find the source of the leak. How do you know when you need to recharge your air conditioner? There are several ways to tell if your air conditioning needs a recharge. The most common is that the air in your cabin isn't as cool as it should be when you turn it on. This is usually due to low refrigerant from a leak, which can be small or large. Finally, you may not hear the A/C clutch…
4 ways to keep your transmission healthy this summer
Avoid giving your front foot free rein When the sun is shining and the weather is nice, it's tempting to rev the engine and blast down the highway, but this can also be detrimental to your transmission. Stop-and-go traffic is harder on your transmission because you spend a lot of time in lower gears, which tend to have higher revs. That means you're causing the same extra wear and tear with your front foot. Take the pressure off your car's transmission and cruise down the road rather than accelerating. Are you in the habit of checking your engine temperature gauge? If not, make it a new habit. While your car will tell you if the engine temperature is too high, it’s always good to keep an eye on the gauge for subtle changes in engine temperature. That’s because it’s not just your engine health that’s at stake. Your engine and transmission work closely together, so when one overheats, the other…
The most common reasons why your car doesn’t shift smoothly
Driving rough? If you notice that your car is having trouble shifting gears, you may need a transmission maintenance or auto repair service. There are a number of reasons why your car may be having trouble shifting gears, some of which are more common and affordable than others. As with any transmission repair, it's best to have a mechanic diagnose the underlying problem rather than trying to handle it yourself, but we have a few possible causes that your mechanic may be able to answer after diagnosing it. Does automatic or manual transmission matter? Yes and no. While automatic transmissions are mechanically different from manual transmissions and therefore may require slightly different repairs, all transmissions perform the same functions and have similar parts. Most of the reasons why your car won't shift smoothly are the same in both automatic and manual transmissions. Regardless of which type of transmission your car has, your mechanic should be able to accurately diagnose any…
My Transmission Is Leaking Black Fluid: What’s Wrong?
If your transmission is leaking fluid, there is no other solution - you need Transmission repairBut don't worry, it's probably not a big deal. There are several car problems that could cause a transmission leak, and several ways to help prevent leaks in the future. Caring for your transmission is key to the longevity of your car, as is caring for your engine. Both are complex systems that are essential to keeping your car running properly. Let's look at what your transmission fluid should look like, what a black transmission fluid leak could indicate, and how to help prevent transmission leaks. First, what should your transmission fluid be like? There is no set answer to what transmission fluid should look like. Different types of transmission fluid look slightly different. The color is different, so you can't necessarily tell from that whether or not your transmission fluid needs to be changed. However, just like engine oil, transmission fluid can accumulate debris…
3 Reasons Your Car Might Be Louder Than Normal
Has the smooth, quiet hum of your car's engine been replaced by a louder rumble or roar? There could be a problem with your car's exhaust system, which is responsible for moving exhaust gases out of the engine and blocking them from entering the cabin. Or, it could be a problem with the engine's combustion chamber. Whatever the cause, pay attention to any other symptoms that arise and let your mechanic know, although these three car repairs are commonly associated with car running noises. Exhaust system leaks One of the most common causes of extra noise when the engine is running is a leaky exhaust system. Most of the components of a car's exhaust system are located at the bottom, so they are most exposed to bumps and debris on the road. This means they can easily become damaged or worn to the point of leaking. When you hear a loud roar while driving, it could be exhaust gases gushing…
What to Check When Your Car Won’t Start
Hop in your car, buckle up, turn the key... and nothing happens. What do you do? It can be extremely stressful to find out your car won't start when you're about to go somewhere. So when this happens to you, take a deep breath and then try one of these three methods. As with any car problem, it's ultimately best to have a mechanic inspect your car and diagnose any necessary auto repairs. While you can do a temporary fix, a trusted mechanic is best at ensuring that all of your car's systems are in good working order. If the lights and radio are not responding, try starting your car When you try to start the car, pay attention to whether the radio or any lights react. These are powered by the car battery, which means that if they don't light up, the problem is most likely with the battery, not the fuel system or engine. Fortunately, this means you…
You need to call your mechanic when your car:
Is your car having a hard time getting you from point A to point B? Not only is it frustrating when your car stalls, but it can also be a sign of a bigger problem with your car. It's important to know when a car stall can be easily fixed and when a mechanic should check your car to diagnose any car repairs you may need. Depending on the circumstances of your car stalling, we've listed some common reasons and what to do if they might be related to your car's malfunction. There are only certain circumstances where a car stalling is not a cause for concern When your engine stalls, there are several reasons why it could be your driving habits or other simple issues that you can fix on your own. Check for signs that your engine stalling could be caused by these reasons, and then you can fix the problem accordingly. You are driving a manual transmission…
Car parked in a parking space? Things to note
Buckle up, start your car, shift into reverse, and then—still in park? Whether you're at home or leaving get off work, it can be frustrating and stressful when you feel helpless. If you find yourself in this situation, we have a few things to remember to either avoid it or try to get your car started again. If all else fails, your local AAMCO mechanics will help you get to your auto repair shop safely. First, avoid doing things that could cause more problems for you and your car. When you're already feeling helpless, the last thing you want to do is make the problem worse. When your car is stuck in park, it's a sign that something is wrong with a major component of your car, so it's always a good idea to get it checked out sooner rather than later, even if your car is running again. Don't force the shift lever too hard. Although frustration may make…