The winter season can be very hard on your car’s internal and external components. To help prevent transmission problems and other maintenance issues during the cold months of winter, it is a fantastic idea to schedule preventative seasonal services. A transmission shop in Silver Spring can identify and repair any transmission issues that could arise when outdoor temperatures drop. Your transmission specialist may also be able to answer any other questions that you have about seasonal car maintenance. To help you prepare for your visit to the transmission shop, here is a look at some essential winter car care tips.

Check Your Fluids

Checking your fluid levels is important during every season of the year. In the winter, however, low fluid levels can spell disaster for the various components of your engine and transmission. To practice proper winter car care, you will want to get into the habit of checking your car’s fluid levels at least once every two weeks. When you start to notice unusually low fluids, it may be time to visit the mechanic.

Inspect Your Tires

Bald tires can be extremely dangerous when winter weather arrives in your area. To care for your car during the winter months, you will want to carefully inspect your tire tread wear before the first major snow storm arrives. Drivers who live in extremely snowy areas may also want to consider investing in winter tires, which provide better traction over snow, ice, and other wintery road conditions.

Evaluate Your Battery

Your car’s battery allows all of its various electrical systems to run properly. Without a properly charged and functioning battery, your car’s transmission and other systems will not be able to function. During the winter months, you will want to evaluate your battery to see whether it shows signs of corrosion or other forms of damage. A certified mechanic or transmission specialist can provide you with many of the services that you need to keep your car running, all winter long.

Manual transmissions have served drivers and their vehicles for many decades. In this video, you will receive a basic overview of how manual transmissions work. The primary function of a manual transmission is to transfer power from a car’s engine to its wheels. When you start to find that your car is losing power or traction, it may be time to set up transmission repair in Bethesda.

When you schedule an appointment at your transmission shop, your transmission specialist will be able to determine whether your transmission is delivering the right amount of speed and torque. Transmission experts are familiar with the inner workings of manual transmissions, and they can make sure that all of the mechanisms are functioning properly.

Without a properly functioning transmission, your car will not be able to drive down the road. Since major transmission problems can lead to serious driving issues, you will want to visit your transmission shop in Rockville before a major repair emergency develops. When you are consulting with your transmission specialist, it is a great idea to ask about any transmission services that can be used to help your transmission last for as long as possible. If you are looking for great ways to drive more efficiently, here is a look at some tips for extending the lifespan of your transmission.

Check Your Transmission Fluid

Neglecting to check and change your transmission fluid could cause your system to fail suddenly. When your transmission fluid starts to leak or wear down, the internal components of your transmission will start to experience extreme amounts of strain. At least once a month, you will want to get into the habit of checking your car’s transmission fluid levels. Low transmission fluid requires immediate attention from a transmission repair specialist.

Avoid Harsh Driving Conditions

Your typical driving habits and conditions will have a direct impact on how long your transmission is able to last before it requires significant repairs. To keep your transmission running smoother for a longer period of time, you will want to steer clear of harsh driving conditions whenever possible. For example, you can preserve your transmission by avoiding very steep hills or extremely heavy loads of cargo.

Visit the Transmission Specialist

A certified transmission specialist will have the training and equipment that is needed to keep your transmission up and running for thousands of miles. Just like oil changes and brake exams, regular transmission repair appointments are an essential part of routine car maintenance. By taking the time to bring your car into the transmission shop before a serious problem arises, you will be able to efficiently repair any mechanical or electronic issues that have started to develop.

Engine and transmission problems can dramatically affect the safety and performance of your vehicle. This video will provide you with a detailed overview of how to deal with an engine or transmission problem in your vehicle. Before you make an appointment with a transmission specialist near Silver Spring, you may want to evaluate your car for some signs of common engine or transmission issues. More complicated problems can be identified using a computer diagnostic system.

Once your transmission mechanic has identified the source of your car’s mechanical problems, you will be ready to embark on your transmission repair procedure. More serious transmission problems may require your transmission to be completely rebuilt. Using the latest equipment, a transmission repair professional will be able to reverse your transmission issues and get your car back out on the road.

When you bring your vehicle in for transmission service, your technician may recommend that you schedule a transmission fluid change. Like many of the other systems in your car, your transmission requires fluid in order to run smoothly and efficiently. With routine fluid changes performed by a transmission specialist at a transmission shop near Bethesda , you will be able to prevent many of the most common transmission problems. Before you schedule your fluid flush, you may want to gather information about the role that transmission fluid plays in your vehicle. Here is a look at the basics of transmission fluid.

Lubricate Moving Parts

One of the primary functions of transmission fluid is to lubricate the many moving parts that are housed within your transmission system. As the gears in your transmission rotate, they are exposed to high levels of stress and friction. With properly maintained transmission fluid, you can ensure that your transmission’s moving components are properly lubricated and prevent transmission wear and strain from causing significant damage to your vehicle.

Cool Down the Transmission

Along with performing the important job of lubricating your transmission’s moving parts, transmission fluid is also responsible for cooling down your transmission when it is in operation. Your transmission can quickly heat up when your vehicle is in motion. When transmission fluid is pumped through the system, it will absorb heat from the gears and other moving components. With its cooling properties, transmission fluid can help prevent your transmission from overheating.

Transfer Power from the Engine to the Wheels

Transmission fluid is also responsible for transmitting power from your car’s engine to its four wheels. As your engine turns, it will create hydraulic energy in your transmission fluid lines. Depending on your gear ratio and rate of acceleration, your transmission fluid will send more or less power to your wheels. Without the right level of fresh transmission fluid, you may find that your transmission loses power rapidly. To prevent many types of transmission repair problems, you can set up routine fluid flushes with your transmission mechanic.

When you are shopping for a new car, you may have the option of selecting a vehicle that is equipped with a manual or an automatic transmission. While manual transmissions were the standard for decades, automatic transmissions are now very popular for many drivers. No matter what type of transmission you use, you may eventually encounter transmission problems in your vehicle. For help solving your transmission problems, be sure to visit a transmission specialist that offers auto transmission repair in Rockville. To help you determine which type of transmission will be best for your lifestyle, here is a quick comparison of manual and automatic transmissions.

Initial Costs

Manual and automatic differ in their initial costs. As you are comparing models at the car dealership, you may find that manual transmission vehicles are more affordable than their automatic counterparts. Typically, a standard transmission vehicle will cost up to a thousand dollars less than a car that is equipped with an automatic transmission. If you are shopping for a budget-friendly vehicle, you may want to purchase a stick shift car.

Maintenance Requirements

The maintenance requirements of manual and automatic transmissions are very different. When you drive an automatic transmission vehicle, you can rest assured that your car will last for tens of thousands of miles before it needs a major transmission repair service. However, automatic transmissions require regular fluid flushes, whereas manual transmissions do not. A manual transmission may need to be adjusted by a technician at regular intervals in order to remain in good operating condition.

Ease of Operation

Many drivers choose automatic transmissions due to their ease of operation. When you drive a car that has an automatic transmission, you will not need to worry about operating a stick shift or engaging a clutch pedal. If you love to drive, however, you may appreciate the deeper level of control that is offered by a manual transmission. Some drivers like the close connection that manual transmissions provide them to their vehicles.

Transmission problems can take your car off the road for an extended period of time. While your car will typically not need transmission repair on a very frequent basis, neglecting transmission issues when the arise may eventually result in the total breakdown of your vehicle. When your car starts showing the signs and symptoms of transmission failure, a transmission specialist serving Rockville, MD , can fully repair the issue. A transmission mechanic will have access to special tools that your regular auto repair technician may not have in his shop. If your car is having transmission troubles, read on for some advice on choosing a reliable transmission mechanic.

Consider Customer Service

Your experience with a transmission mechanic begins with your initial phone call to the shop. A reputable transmission mechanic will offer great customer service, and will be able to answer all of your questions in preparation for your service appointment. Along with relying on your own experience with a shop’s customer service, you may also want to research whether the facility has received any awards or recognition for its great consumer and community services.

Ask About Policies

A reliable transmission mechanic will have a series of policies in place that will protect you against transmission problems in the future. When a transmission mechanic stands behind the quality of his work, he will offer a full warranty for all repairs. Before you book your transmission service appointment, you may want to ask about any warranty policies that will cover your services.

Research Certifications and Accreditations

One of the best ways to find a reliable transmission mechanic is to find a shop that has been certified by nationally recognized organizations. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, for example, provides an extensive certification program for transmission repair facilities. Taking the time to become certified and accredited shows a transmission mechanic’s dedication to excellent repairs. With these factors in mind, you can book your transmission repairs confidently.

Have questions about transmission repair? We have answers! Of course we can’t answer all of your questions here, but we find these are among the most frequently asked questions we receive. If you have a specific question or need clarification, get in touch with a transmission specialist at your local transmission repair shop in Bethesda, MD .

Q: How much does transmission repair cost?

A: It’s tough to say exactly how much it will cost to repair your transmission without first knowing a few specific things, like the age and condition of your transmission and the extent of the trouble with it. For more expensive repairs, some shops like Superior Transmission will offer financing to help ease the sudden burden on your wallet of getting your transmission fixed.

Q: What’s the difference between a rebuild and a replacement?

A: As the name implies, a rebuild is when your existing transmission is rebuilt using new or refurbished parts and components. A replacement is when your existing transmission is swapped out with a new one. Your transmission specialist will make a recommendation based on the extent of the transmission trouble you are experiencing.

Q: Should I get a second opinion?

A: You’re always welcome (and even encouraged) to get as many quotes as possible in order to feel comfortable with the transmission repair shop you end up doing business with. However, keep in mind that the lowest quoted price is not always the best option. Take other factors into consideration such as the quality of the work the shop provides.

Your local transmission repair shop in Rockville, MD can be of help in a lot of situations, not just when your transmission completely breaks down and needs to be rebuild or replaced. For example, a transmission specialist can help you choose the right fluid for your transmission to keep it running smoothly. Of course this is also one of those transmission maintenance services people like to perform on their own, and there’s nothing wrong with that if you would rather change out your own transmission fluid instead of having a professional do it for you. However, you might still need some help choosing the right transmission fluid for your car. Here are some tips to help you out.

Check Your Owner’s Manual

The best place to start is by consulting the owner’s manual. This is a great source of information for all things related to the maintenance of your car, including transmission maintenance. The owner’ manual will note whether your vehicle requires Dextron or Mercon transmission fluid, or whether there is a make- or model-specific fluid your car requires.

Compare Synthetic vs. Conventional Fluid

Once you know which type of transmission fluid your car takes, you will need to decide whether you want to purchase synthetic or conventional fluid. There are pros and cons to each choice. Synthetic fluid, for example, is more durable at higher temperatures and provides better performance than conventional fluid, but it can also be costlier. On some older models, it’s sometimes recommended to stick with conventional fluid since making the switch can actually do more harm and lead to unwanted transmission repair issues.

Consult with a Transmission Specialist

If you want to make sure you get the absolute best transmission fluid for your vehicle, consult with an expert at your local transmission maintenance and repair shop. A specialist will provide you with sound advice on which type and brand of transmission fluid is best for your make and model. A transmission specialist will also take into consideration the age and condition of your transmission as well as your budget and performance requirements when making a recommendation.

Your car’s transmission allows your wheels and engines to match one another’s speed of travel. Today’s transmissions are typically equipped with automatic transmissions . These transmissions allow your vehicle to shift automatically between gears. Some of the most components in your automatic transmission are the valve body and the torque convertor. The torque converter is designed to provide the automatic transmission with its smooth drive feel. If you are experiencing transmission problems, you should be sure to visit a shop offering auto transmission repairs in Rockville, MD. A transmission specialist can diagnose your transmission problems and get you back on the road. For a closer look at the different types of transmissions, watch this video from CNET.