Signs that your Transmission is Wearing Off

It is inevitable that our transmission will eventually wear out even with proper maintenance. Since we’re talking about transmission failure, let us first tackle the causes of this problem. Transmission failure is caused by improper maintenance and the misuse of the vehicle. And if you are driving and you feel something is not right when the gears are shifting, it’s time to have it checked. 

Here are some signs of Transmission Problems:

1.       Transmission Slipping

Transmission slipping is where you’re driving in a certain gear and it suddenly changes for no apparent reason. The noise from the engine may change in pitch or start to sound like whining. Other signs are that your car seems like it is having a hard time, underpowered or isn’t accelerating like it should. Get it checked immediately.

2.       Delayed Engagement

Another thing that you would notice is a delay when the car actually engages into drive and starts moving forward. Also, when you shift out of “Park” to “Drive”, there may be a long pause during which the car revs the engine as you give it fuel, but it is not moving forward as it should be.

3.       Fluid Leaks

If the transmission is sealed, it should not experience fluid leak. If you notice some leak spots on your garage floor, lay down some cardboard under the car in the middle and front to determine if your car is actually leaking. If your transmission is leaking, the fluid is bright or dark red. If that happens, visit your transmission specialist or mechanic. And if you are from Melbourne, we at N & V Automatics are your Automatic Transmissions specialist in Seaford. 

4.       Rough Shifts

When driving your car, the transmission refuses to shift or the gear shifts aren’t very smooth. You might also hear a noticeable clunk or thud when the car shifts gears. Your car can also have difficulty in speeding up.

5.       Warning Light

A warning light alone, such as the “Check Engine” light typically doesn’t mean you have a transmission problem, but if symptoms above occurs, you might want to get your car checked or fixed immediately.

Different Vehicle Transmission

Manual transmissions have remained relatively unchanged throughout the years, while other transmissions like automatic transmissions, semi-automatic transmissions and CVT’s have become increasingly complex, but easier to use.

Today, we’ll discuss the different types of transmission, how they work and advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Manual Transmission

Most modern manual transmissions today has five or six forward gears. A manual transmission is connected to the engine via a clutch, which if disengaged, removes torque from the system. With the clutch engaged, power is delivered to the transmission through an input shaft from the primary cluster, and rotates through different speeds to the cluster.

Pros:

·         Cheap Repair;

·         Extremely robust and can handle high torque loads;

·         Very reliable and relatively easy to maintain and repair;

·         Solid link between the wheels and engine.

Cons:

·         Can be difficult to operate for drivers who are accustomed to automatic transmission

CVT or Continuous Variable Transmission

Unlike other transmissions, this kind of transmission doesn’t use gears to produce various vehicle speed. Instead of gears, the system relies on a rubber or metal belt running over pulleys. And to keep the belt at its optimum tension, one pulley will increase the effective diameter while the other decreases its effective diameter by exactly the same amount.

Pros:

·         Better fuel efficiency;

·         Faster response to changing driving conditions;

·         Eliminates energy losses associated with torque converters;

·         Constant acceleration throughout the engine’s optimum operating range;

·         Provides a comfortable ride by eliminating Shift Shock.

Cons:

·         Unsuitable for off-road environments

·         Cannot provide engine braking

Full Automatic Transmission

In an automatic transmission, the hydraulic operated control system is managed electronically by the vehicle’s computer. All the driver has to do is shift the selector from Park, Neutral and into Drive and the gear shifting will take place automatically and smoothly.

Pros:

·         Very easy to use;

·         Modern Automatic Transmission can match the manual’s fuel efficiency and performance;

·         Provides a comfortable driving experience.

Cons:

·         Can be Unsuitable for off-road because it doesn’t provide engine braking

·         More complex system.

Installing a Transmission Cooler

One of the causes of transmission failure is overheating and installing a transmission cooler would help prevent this from happening. Not only will it prevent too much heat inside your transmission but will also extend the life of your vehicle transmission. Ordinary driving scenarios can place stress on any transmission and hard driving or trailer pulling can make the strain even worse. Installing a transmission cooler on your vehicle can reduce the stress and strain on your vehicle and help it run more efficiently. Here are some advantages you should know.

1.       Cooler Running

If you are regularly pulling a trailer, it can put strain on your transmission and additional weight can cause the transmission to overheat. Installing a transmission cooler is the best way to prevent this and stop the transmission fluid from breaking down. When the transmission fluid gets hot, the transmission fluid begins to break down and won’t be able to provide the protection it was assigned to do. By using a transmission cooler, you can make sure that this problem won’t happen.

2.       Reduced Cost

Installing a transmission cooler can greatly increase the life of your transmission by allowing the transmission to run cooler and efficiently. Considering the cost of new transmission, it would be costly and installing a cooler to help your transmission is money well spent and a great investment that will help you save money for the long run.

3.       Fuel Economy

The prices of fuel continue to rise and investing on a transmission cooler will alleviate the engine and transmission that can result into better fuel economy.

Aside from installing a transmission cooler, vehicle maintenance will also help with the efficiency and longevity of your vehicle. If you are looking for someone who will check and service your transmission, we are always available at N & V Automatics. Visit us today! 

Misconceptions on Engine Oil Change

When it comes to keeping our car running, we need to conduct preventive maintenance. Changing your engine oil is one of the most important part of car maintenance routine. It is where you change your dirty engine oil and replace it with clean oil. But there are some misconceptions about the process which we’ll debunk and tackle for today.

Myth # 1 Thicker Motor Brings Extra Protection

The thickness of the motor oil doesn’t indicate wear protection. An additive called ZZDP or Zinc is the main formula that protects the engine from wear. Motor oil that is too thick can cause decrease in engine performance in some cases. Many vehicle manufacturers are now recommending vehicle owners to use motor oil that isn’t too thick for better economy.

Myth # 2 Change the Oil Immediately if it’s Black

Oxidation is the main reason why your engine oil is turning black. If your engine is exposed to high temperatures, the motor oil darkens rapidly. The motor oil also darkens because it absorbs by product from combustions. The dark colour doesn’t mean that you need to change oil immediately, it is better to have a qualified mechanic to check the vehicle first.

Myth # 3 Synthetic Oil is more slippery and Causes engines to leak

This myth began to circulate when synthetic oil was brought out in the market in the 1970’s due to the misunderstanding of the product. Well, this myth isn’t true.

Myth # 4 Don’t switch between synthetic and conventional motor oil

It is okay to switch back and forth between conventional and synthetic oil. Also, motor oils that are labeled as synthetic blends are already a blend of both conventional and synthetic oil. Check the owner’s manual for your vehicle for recommendations.

It’s always safest to consult your trusted mechanic for advice and check-ups, on oil changes and other vehicle maintenance matters.  N & V Automatics in Seaford, Melbourne can help you keep your vehicle running like a well-oiled machine. We specialise in transmission servicing and transmission preventive maintenance. 

Transmission Repairs Jobs

Transmission Repairs Jobs

Having transmission problems but worried about the cost of repair?  Well don’t, not all transmission repairs are expensive. Today, we’ll be discussing several problems we encounter within our automatic transmission repair shop.

Low Transmission Fluid Levels and Leaks

Transmission leaks will eventually cause your transmission fluid to run low. This, is by far the most common problem we encounter in our shop. Leaks can be caused by several things and a certified transmission mechanic should be consulted in order to determine the exact cause.

Some leaks are minor and require a new seal at the shifting linkage, or a drain plug may be loose and needs to be tightened. Other causes include a loose filter tube, or the coolant line may have sprung a leak and need replacement.

Looking under the car to locate where the leak is coming from is the first step. If you see that the leak is coming from around the pan on the bottom then it’s time to change your filter and gasket. If the fluid comes from the front or the back of the transmission, it is probably leaking from the main seal, which may need to be replaced immediately.  

Transmission Noises

Transmission noises are signs of a problem inside your transmission and calling in some transmission experts to check on your transmission is essential to avoid the possibility of increasing cost of repair. Another sign of an automatic vehicle transmission problems is the delay in the movement when you shift your vehicle.  This should also be investigated immediately.  

Shaking and Grinding

If you start your engine and you feel that your car is shaking or grinding, there might be a problem with your transmission. Grinding and shaking are indicators that your transmission isn’t working well and needs attention right away.

As with many mechanical problems, deferring investigation of transmission issues can lead to much higher repair costs than a repair made early on.  Do you need help from experts? Call N & V automatics today to book an inspection and quote.  We specialise in automatic transmissions and offer professional services that will suit all your transmission needs. 

Changing your Engine Oil

Changing your engine oil is essential to keep our vehicle running smoothly. When that time comes, there are three choices; ignore the problem, change the engine oil yourself or go to your trusted mechanic to do the job. It’s tempting to do it yourself, right? But here’s what experts has to say about changing your oil.

Why is it important for us to change oil?

There are important task your motor oil is doing for your vehicle. First, it lubricates the engine to keep it working smoothly. Second, it acts as a cooling agent keeping the engine at optimal level and keeping it from overheating. Lastly, it prevents harmful substance from accumulating and sludging up your engine.

Changing your motor oil prevents damage and offers additional benefits like fuel economy and convenience.

Professionals are trained to do this 

                                

Changing your engine oil is a dangerous task and can damage your vehicle if not done properly. Improper disposal of the dirty motor oil can also be dangerous to you and the environment. Amateurs are likely to commit mistakes such as using the wrong motor oil, overlooking engine leaks or cross threading the filter.

Changing Engine Oil isn’t Easy

Changing oil can be tricky especially when dealing with an old vehicle. You can avoid the inconvenience and mess by having a professional take care of it.

How often you should change your oil?

The standard recommendation is to change oil about every 3000 miles to 4000 miles. Others recommend every 3 months depending on how you use your vehicle. However you shouldn’t have to undergo change oil frequently because of the advancements in vehicles and motor oil. Technicians will be able to estimate if your oil will need to be changed based on the condition of your vehicle and your engine oil. 

Importance of Transmission Coolers

Transmission overheating is a major problem for vehicle owners. The ideal temperature for a transmission is under 75 degrees and every increase can cause serious problems. To prevent this from happening, vehicle owners may choose to install an auxiliary oil cooler for the transmission fluid.

Most automatic cars comes with a separate heat exchanger for the oil, close to the radiator. Given the temperature of the radiator, a short cycle through this heat exchanger doesn’t reduce the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid.

However, if you are using your vehicle to tow a trailer, boat, caravan, etc. It may be better to install an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler on your vehicle. During the process of towing, the vehicle’s transmission takes extra stress, which raises the temperature of the transmission resulting to overheating. Due to the high temperature, the transmission fluid becomes viscous and doesn’t perform its job of lubricating and cooling the transmission. This can reduce the life span of the other parts of the vehicle.

Installing an auxiliary cooler for your transmission can keep the fluid cool and at optimum temperature. These coolers reduce the temperature by between a third and half the time the fluid enters the cooler to when it goes back inside the transmission.

What kind of transmission cooler do you need?

The bigger the better. The larger the cooler, the better in lowering transmission fluid temperature. The plate coolers and the fin offer a large area to cool transmission fluid faster and better.

Aside from having a transmission cooler, a responsible vehicle owner should be able to do preventive maintenance for their vehicle. If you are experiencing signs of transmission slipping or any other transmission problems, don’t hesitate to get your vehicle and your transmission checked by some experts or your trusted mechanic.