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Manual Transmission and Fuel Economy
One of the common misconceptions about manual transmissions is that they are significantly more fuel efficient than automatic transmissions. While there was a time when this was true, manual and automatic transmissions achieve virtually identical fuel economy. More than anything, your fuel economy depends on your driving habits and how well you maintain your vehicle, including your transmission. Watch this video to learn more.
If you want to get the best fuel economy in your car, make sure you have your manual transmission checked out by an experienced transmission technician in Rockville, MD at the first sign of transmission trouble. Poor transmission performance can rob your car’s gas mileage, and can also end up costing you a lot more in repair or replacement costs the longer you wait to have the problem checked out at your local transmission shop.
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Tips for Maintaining a Manual Transmission
A manual transmission will provide you with unbeatable control over the performance and power of your vehicle. If you choose to drive a car with a manual transmission, it is essential that you bring your vehicle to the transmission shop at the first sign of manual transmission problems. With transmission repair from a shop that specializes in transmission services near Rockville, MD , you can rest assured that your manual transmission will remain in great condition for all of your driving needs. To help you keep your car in peak driving shape, here is a look at some essential tips for maintaining a manual transmission.
Use the Clutch Carefully
When you are driving your manual transmission vehicle, it is very important to use your clutch with the utmost care. For example, while it may be tempting to engage the clutch only part of the way when you are shifting, you should always make sure to press the clutch all the way down to the floor. Fully engaging the clutch will help to prevent shifting problems in the future.
Avoid Engine Braking
Engine braking is a driving technique that uses the gears of the transmission to slow the vehicle. In order to preserve the lifespan of your manual transmission, you should be sure to avoid engine braking whenever possible. When you engine brake, you can cause excessive wear and strain on your gears. Instead, you should always use the brake pedal when you need to slow or stop your vehicle.
Schedule Routine Tune Ups
Another great way to maintain your manual transmission is to schedule routine tune ups with a transmission specialist in your local area. By bringing your vehicle in for routine transmission maintenance, you can make sure that the clutch and gears are in smooth operating condition. With these simple steps, you can go a long way towards keeping your manual transmission running smoothly for years to come.
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How to Pick a Transmission Fluid
Changing your transmission fluid is one of the most crucial steps of transmission repair and maintenance. When you bring your car into the transmission shop to change your transmission fluid, you will have several different types of fluid to choose from. In order to preserve the performance of your transmission, you will want to only use transmission fluid that has been recommended by the manufacturer of your car. A transmission specialist in Bethesda, MD will be able to help you choose the right fluid for your vehicle. After your transmission fluid change has been completed, you will be amazed at the performance and smooth function of your transmission; plus, you will extend the life of your vehicle by a number of miles. For more information about how to pick a transmission fluid, be sure to watch this video.
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Investing in a Rebuilt Transmission
Transmission problems are among the first major mechanical issues that you may have to deal with in your car. When your car is in need of a significant transmission service, you will want to bring your vehicle to a transmission shop that specializes in auto transmission repairs in Silver Spring. With the help of a team of transmission specialists, you can determine the best course of repairs for your transmission problems. In the event that your transmission is severely damaged, you may need to schedule a full transmission rebuild. Here is a look at some of the benefits of investing in a rebuilt transmission.
Financial Savings
One of the top reasons to consider rebuilding, rather than replacing, your transmission is that your rebuilt transmission will fit easily in your auto repair budget. A brand new transmission can be a significant expense for any driver. When you purchase a rebuilt transmission, your technician will use repurposed parts to help you save on the costs of repairs. As a result, you will find that your transmission rebuild is very affordable.
Improved Performance
Another great benefit of rebuilding your transmission is that your newly rebuilt transmission will vastly improve the performance of your car. For example, if your current transmission is slipping or grinding gears, you can remedy these issues by rebuilding your system. Your transmission specialist can provide you with more information about how your newly rebuilt transmission will improve the safety and performance of your car.
Environmental Protection
Finally, a rebuilt transmission can help you do your part to protect the environment. When a brand new transmission is built, it will be constructed from valuable natural resources. By contrast, a rebuilt transmission will often be composed of recycled parts and materials. When you choose to recycle parts in your transmission, you can help protect the Earth. With these great benefits, you may want to talk to your technician about rebuilding the failing transmission in your car.
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The Steps of Checking Transmission Fluid
Checking your transmission fluid is one of the most important steps of routine transmission repair. When you check your transmission fluid, you will be able to make sure that your transmission is in proper working condition. Before you perform a transmission fluid check, you will want to make sure that you know what type of transmission fluid is used in your vehicle. In the event that you notice that you have low or leaking transmission fluid, you should be sure to visit a transmission specialist in Silver Spring. Your transmission repair expert can provide you with a transmission fluid change and other essential services for your vehicle. To learn more about the steps of checking transmission fluid, watch this video from eHow.
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What Causes Hard Shifting?
Hard shifting is among the most common transmission problems that are reported by car owners. When your vehicle has trouble shifting between gears, you should be sure to visit a transmission specialist in Bethesda, and Rockville to receive a diagnosis of your problem. Typically, there are a few common causes for hard shifting in vehicles. Oftentimes, hard shifting can occur when you fail to change transmission fluid at the recommended interval. In the event that your transmission fluid gets low or dirty, your vehicle’s ability to shift could become compromised. Along with low transmission fluid, hard shifting can also be caused by electronic sensor issues. The only way to troubleshoot an electronic sensor problem is to bring your vehicle to a transmission shop that is equipped with computerized diagnostic equipment. With the right diagnostic tools, your transmission specialist will be able to determine whether your car’s computer is sending the wrong codes to your transmission. With the help of your transmission shop, you can get to the bottom of your car’s hard shifting troubles. -
What Are the Most Common Transmission Problems?
Your transmission is designed to transfer power from your car’s engine to its wheels. Without a properly functioning transmission, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road. When your vehicle is in need of transmission repair, you should be sure to visit a transmission specialist in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, or Baltimore, MD. The specialists at a transmission shop near you will be able to diagnose and replace any transmission issues that may be troubling your vehicle. To help you identify when it is time to bring your car in for service, here is a look at some of the most common transmission problems .
Low Transmission Fluid
Much like your brakes or engine, your transmission requires fluid in order to remain powered and lubricated. Occasionally, your transmission may spring a leak, which can cause your fluid to dip to dangerously low levels. Some of the signs of leaking transmission fluid include burnt odors coming from under your hood, as well as slipping gears. By checking your fluid regularly, you can help prevent some common transmission problems.
Damaged Torque Converter
In an automatic transmission , the torque converter is responsible for releasing the gears as they shift. When the torque converter becomes damaged or broken, your transmission may begin having difficulty on the road. For example, you may notice unusual grinding noises as you are driving. Since the torque converter is a highly complex device, this part of the transmission requires professional attention from a transmission mechanic.
Electronic Solenoid Issues
Your transmission’s solenoids are used to control the flow of transmission fluid when your car is in motion. Since the solenoids are electronically controlled, any sort of electronic failure in your vehicle can create issues in your transmission. You may find that your fluid levels become unusually low when you have solenoid issues. With the help of your transmission specialist, you will be able to diagnose and repair your transmission problems and get back out on the road.
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Signs and Sounds of Transmission Problems
Transmission problems in Washington DC should be taken care of as soon as possible so they do not get worse and cause additional damage to the vehicle. Fortunately, manual and automatic transmission problems typically give off warning signs when something is wrong. Watch this video to learn about the signs and sounds of transmission problems.
Transmissions are not immune to wearing out over time, but at least they warn their owners when it is time for transmission repair. Always keep an ear out for any unusual sounds that you may hear coming from your vehicle; this could indicate a lack of lubrication of the transmission that can cause the gears to wear out as well as worn out bands in an automatic transmission. Grinding and slipping gears both suggest that it is time to see a transmission specialist for service as soon as possible.
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Spotting Problems with an Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmissions may be easier to maintain and repair than manual transmissions, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t without their own unique set of problems and challenges. Fortunately, automatic transmission problems are relatively easy to spot, which means you can have the problem repaired before your transmission fails completely. Leaky fluid, rough shifts, delayed gear engagement, and dashboard warning lights are some of the most obvious signs of a transmission in need of repair. Watch this video to learn how to spot problems early on with your automatic transmission.
If you suspect your automatic transmission is going out, visit a transmission repair shop in Washington DC as quickly as possible. The sooner your transmission is diagnosed and repair by a professional, the better. Putting off transmission repair will only make the problem worse, and may even lead to more expensive and time-consuming repairs.
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Determining When a Car Needs a New Transmission
Your transmission is an integral part of the functioning of your vehicle, so it should be maintained with great care. If you notice any signs of transmission problems in the Washington D.C. area, it is a good idea to meet with your preferred transmission experts before your transmission completely fails. Watch this video for help in determining when a car needs a new transmission.
There are a number of signs that suggest that you should seek transmission repair in the near-future. Slipping of gears or struggling when shifting to a new gear with an automatic transmission can be one of these signs. You should also keep an ear out for grinding or banging sounds coming from your car. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell if these signs are indeed indicating that the transmission is bad, and the only way to know for sure is to meet with your transmission repair service.