Transmission Flush

Archive for January, 2010

guy fixing his transmission on the side of the road in Mongolia

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There are many tips to consider when you arrange your car hire. Whether you are arranging car hire in your own country or abroad many of these car hire tips are still relevant.

Car Hire Tip 1) It is very important to shop around for the best car hire deal and the internet offers the perfect opportunity to research the best car hire deal at your finger tips.

Car Hire Tip 2) Many car hire companies will offer very attractive rates to upgrade your car hire locally at the pick up point. Some companies’ will even a complimentary upgrade if the model you have selected is in strong demand. It is always worth asking at the rental counter if there is any possibility of an upgrade at the collection point.

Car Hire Tip 3) It is always prudent to pay for your car hire online including all extras. Some car hire companies ask for a deposit with balance payable upon collection of the car at your destination. However you will probably have to pay the balance on a credit card in the local currency, which is then subject to the penal currency conversions rates charged by the credit card company which can have a real impact on the amount you actually end up paying for your car hire. The tip here is to try to pay in full at the time of the car hire reservation and in the currency of your credit card.

Car Hire Tip 4) You should always check the terms and conditions of your rental contract prior to confirming the reservation, especially the amount of the insurance excess. As it may appear that you have got the best car hire quote but the insurance policy may be subject to a prohibitly high insurance excess which could prove to be very costly in the event of an accident even a minor prang.

Many car hire companies also offer an option to purchase additional insurance to reduce the amount of excess you are responsible for. Some companies will even provide a Nil insurance excess for a small additional insurance premium.

Please also check the position regarding breakdown cover and what you are liable.

Car Hire Tip 5) Always book your car hire as early as you are able, as it is very unusual to find late availability reservation offers. Book your car hire early, especially if you have a specific vehicle or type of car hire in mind. For example minibuses, people carriers, 4×4, automatic vehicles and the like are in much demand. Car Hire Tip 6) Automatic car hire or manual transmission? If you have a preference please ensure that you make this request when you make your car hire reservation. This tip is crucial if you only drive automatic transmission cars.

Car Hire Tip 7) Many car hire companies request for the rental car to be returned at the end of the rental period with a full tank of petrol. It is a good idea to fill the car with petrol or diesel close to the return location, as if the car hire company has to fill the car when you return the vehicle, they usually charge a much higher rate per litre than you would be charged at a petrol station.

Some car hire companies ask you to return the car empty and charge you for a full tank of petrol. This can work out to be an expensive option, unless you are going to be completing a lot of miles and are in a position to return the car with a fairly empty petrol tank. Which can in itself be dangerous as you would not wish to run out of petrol whilst driving.

Car Hire Tip 8) Please always remember to take your passport, driving licence and credit card with you when you collect the rental car. You will need to have the driving licences of all named drivers and these drivers will need to be included on the rental contract.

Car Hire Tip 9) Always plan you route and journey from your pick up point. The car hire company will be able to provide maps and directions to your destination when you collect the vehicle. However it would be prudent to work out your route in advance. Please bear in mind that if your route involves motorways or toll roads, you will need to have sufficient local currency to cover these toll charges.

You could also consider a hiring or taking a Satellite Navigation system. You will then need to have the full postal address or Post or Zip code of your final destination.

Car Hire Tip 10) Please remember to pre book any extras when you make your reservation, especially childrens equipment such as baby seats and booster seats. Baby seats are in great demand during school holiday periods and remember to be specific should you require a forward facing or rear facing baby seat.

When the time comes that you need to take your car in for repair, it helps if you have at least a minimal understanding of the various parts of your engine and other inner workings. Otherwise, you make an easy target for unscrupulous technicians.

One of the most costly parts of an automobile to have repaired is the transmission. Sometimes though, the repair cost is only so high, because a shady mechanic has informed a car owner that something needs to be fixed, that really doesn’t. If you have just a bit of basic knowledge about your transmission, then you stand a better chance of preventing yourself from being scammed by a dishonest auto technician.

Crucial Components of the Automatic Transmission.

-> Gears
• Planetary gears- this set consist of the sun gear, a ring gear, and at least two planet gears. They all operate together and spin on pinions, (shafts).
-> Seals and Gaskets
• This is what prevents the oil in the transmission from leaking out into the parts of the engine.
-> Torque Converter
• In an automatic transmission, this is what allows the car to stop while in gear, like a clutch.
-> Bell Housing
• When you look under your hood, you should see a cone shaped metal case; this is what holds the transmission.
-> Transmission Fluid
• Without fluid, none of the transmission components will work very well, or not at all.
-> Filter
• The fluid has to be kept clean, and the filter is what does this. The fluid flows through the filter, and the filter catches all the little particles of dirt.
-> Hydraulic System
• Pretty much runs the transmission, by sending the fluid sent by the oil pump through the valve body, which controls the clutches and the bands, which control the planetary gear sets.
-> Computer
• Newer vehicles have electrical solenoids, which enable the oil flow to reach the component needed at the appropriate time. The computer controls the shift points, which direct the solenoids.
-> Throttle cable
-> Vacuum Modulator
-> Governor
• Each of these components monitor speed and throttle position, and determine when shifting is needed.
-> Oil pump
• The oil pump in the transmission creates and maintains the pressure needed to power the transmission.
-> Valve body
• Basically, this is the control center of an automatic transmission, the hydraulic fluid is directed through the valve body, without it, the engine could not function.

Do Not Let The Repair Technician Intimidate You.

Now that you know what the basic parts of your automatic transmission is called, and how each one contributes to the workings of the transmission, you have a small advantage over less informed car owners. When the car starts acting odd, or making funny noises, take it in to be fixed, but do not allow yourself to become a victim of auto repair fraud. Ask the mechanic to explain what he needs to fix, and why he believes it needs to replaced or repaired, and you have the right to know how he intends to go about the process. You will feel less intimidated by the technical jargon, now that you know what the mechanic is talking about.

http://www.juble.com/articles/a295-getting-to-know-your-transmission.html

You may be surprised when your car blows a tire or a belt gets worn down until it fails.

Maybe next time your car makes a funny noise, instead of blaming it on the manufacturer, ask yourself, “When was the last time I had the engine inspected by a mechanic?”.

When we get sick, we waste no time making our way to the doctors office to see what is wrong, so how come we blame our cars when they get sick?

Usually the car breaks down only after years of abuse and disuse, and much of these break downs and failures can be thwarted by simple, timely maintenance.

Here are some tips on what you need to do, why, and when.

When your car breaks down, it is guaranteed to mess up an otherwise perfectly good day. If you knew when and where your car was going to break down ahead of time, you probably would maintain it much better than you already do.

The key reason regular maintenance is so pertinent is that it keeps your car healthy, and you happy.

So what exactly does regular maintenance consist of? Is an oil change every 5000 miles enough? Or should you change the air filter as well?

Proper maintenance is essentially checking every renewable aspect of the engine and body regularly to see to it that it is in tip top condition. This means you should change the oil, lube, and filter every 3000 miles, and have the air filters checked at the same time.

It is also recommended that you give your car a chassis lube and have all the vehicles fluids topped off and hoses and belts inspected. Do not forget to check the tire pressure because this is the key to good grip and gas economy.

Most manufacturers suggest you have an inspection performed on the fuel system at the 6000 mile mark. At 15000 miles, you should perform all of the above as well as order an air filter change and a 4-wheel alignment.

At 18000 you should get an engine oil system flush, and at 30000 it is recommended that you perform all of the above as well as injector cleaning and throttle body service, tire balancing and rotation, a power steering flush, automatic transmission flush, radiator system flush, and an evaporator system flush.

This may sound quite involved for simple car maintenance, but remember in the case of a car, the more you put in the more you get out in the form of prolonged, reliable function.

If you perform regular maintenance, do not forget to keep records. These records are for your own organization as well as a great positive for your car’s worth, should you decide to sale.

If you take good care of your car, it will take great care of you.

As you can see, there are many different measures that you can take in order to properly prepare your vehicle. However, not taking these steps can lead to roadside trouble that may prove to be extremely challenging!

The latest edition of our monthly maintenance “how to” series, is going to teach us how to check the hydraulic fluid in a vehicle with a stick shift, or in other words, a manual transmission. Cars that have a manual transmission use either a cable, which connects the transmission and the clutch, or a hydraulic system, for which you need a fluid to help keep it running efficiently, and smoothly.

For the purpose of this article, we will assume that you have determined that your vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic clutch system. You can easily find out which type of automatic transmission that you have in your car, by reading your owner/operator manual, or by researching your vehicle make and model online. A browser search using the name and year of your car will return results pertaining to any question about your type of car that you want to ask.

The steps listed below will guide you through the process.

Hydraulic clutch fluid in a manual transmission.

There really is no actual “clutch fluid”, so what you are going to use will be stated in your manual. Likely, it will be either some type of automatic transmission fluid, or perhaps even a brake fluid, or motor oil, which is also designed for use in manual transmissions.

1.    Park the car on level ground, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool down.
2.    If the clutch pedal went directly into the engine compartment, this is where you would find the clutch master cylinder and clutch reservoir. At the back of the engine.
3.    You should be able to see a plastic container; it is only about an inch big. It looks similar to the brake fluid reservoir, only quite a bit smaller.
4.    The hydraulic fluid reservoir is usually made of clear plastic, so you should be able to check the fluid level without even having to open it up.
5.    If the fluid level does not reach the top of the reservoir, then you should add hydraulic fluid.
6.    If your clutch pedal is not working properly even after you add fluid, or the fluid level continues to drop, then there is probably a leak somewhere in the hydraulic line, or in the reservoir itself, or at the connection between the pedal and the hydraulic line.

In some vehicles, there is actually no place in the engine compartment where you can easily check the hydraulic fluid level. The only way a check can be accomplished is from underneath the car. If you’re not comfortable yet with your newly learned acquired maintenance skills, and your vehicle is not exhibiting any shifting symptoms, don’t worry. Just have the hydraulic fluid level checked at your next oil change.
However, if you want to give it a try, here are the steps to do it.

1.    Get under the vehicle, and locate the fill plug, it should be underneath where the clutch pedal is.
2.    Remove the plug and stick your finger in, (it won’t leak out on you because the reservoir is tilted), if you cannot feel any fluid with your fingertip, add some.

Do not try to check your hydraulic fluid level, without consulting your manual first.

http://www.juble.com/articles/a303-manual-transmissionhydraulic-clutch-fluid-monthly-automotive-maintenance.html

AplusB Software is releasing its latest product, the SIMURIDE (Manual Transmission Car – Driving Simulator). This unique one of a kind simulator helps the user gain experience behind the steering wheel of a vehicle with a manual transmission (has option for automatic transmission also). The SIMURIDE is an excellent training tool. In fact, the first few hours on a stick shift should be taken on this simulator to avoid stress and damage to your vehicle. Through the car driving simulator you will learn how to properly use the clutch and the gear shift either in a small car or big semi truck. This SIMURIDE gives the user the option of selecting several different driving terrain environments such as: city streets (with or without traffic), country roads, maze with obstacles, or just a maneuver lot to practice parking and backing up your vehicle. It also offers driving on a bright sunny day, foggy day or at night, with the option of using either high or low beams when necessary.

The purpose of SIMURIDE is to give the user enough experience of driving without any of the downfalls. This educational program together with the G25 Logitech steering wheel, offers the feeling of driving a real vehicle. With this new product by AplusB, driving schools will be able to save money and time.

Vehicles will stay safe, clutch and transmission will be undamaged, gasoline bill will be reduced and insurance rate will not go up. Even the environment will benefit from the SIMURIDE since it releases no air pollutants. Find out more on this product plus other AplusB Software Corporation software such as “CDL Commercial Driver’s License Manual” and “Road Rules – US & Canada Driving Test” at www.aplusbsoftware.com