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Transmission Types and How They Work

Your car’s transmission is among the most essential

elements of motorized travel, transferring power from the engine to the wheels. Maintaining your vehicle’s transmission properly is vital to proper performance, fuel efficiency, and extending your vehicle’s operating life.  Let’s look at the basic transmission types, how they work, and how they differ from each other.

 
Manual Transmission
The earliest transmissions required the driver to shift manually from gear to gear using a clutch

pedal. When the pedal is pressed, the gearbox employs a friction clutch to connect the energy

from the engine to the transmission’s input shaft, engaging a fixed set of gears. The simplicity

and sturdiness […]

By |August 31st, 2021|Main list|0 Comments
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Why You Should Avoid Using “Stop Leak” Transmission Products In Your Vehicle

Whether you drive a standard or automatic transmission, your vehicle relies on several vital fluids to operate properly—including transmission, brake, and steering fluid. But factors such as temperature fluctuation and daily wear can compromise seals and crack hoses, resulting in leaks that can drain away these essential fluids, often without you even knowing it.

A slow transmission fluid leak, if undetected, can rob your vehicle of the viscosity needed to shift gears smoothly. Attempting to operate your vehicle with low, dry, or compromised transmission fluid can cause significant damage to your vehicle’s transmission and could result in a very expensive […]

By |March 5th, 2021|Main list|0 Comments
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Why Is Winter Weather So Tough On Your Car?

December’s here, and many of the nation’s roads have already seen the first snow of the season. With a tough winter ahead, it’s time to think about getting your car ready for the challenge.

So why is winter weather so tough on your vehicle—and what can you do to ensure that your car or truck is operating at its best, no matter what the temperature? Let’s look at some of the ways winter weather affects your car’s systems.
Tires
Winter ice and snow can quickly turn a safe driving surface into a treacherous gauntlet. And worn or bald tires can further reduce your […]

By |December 17th, 2020|Main list|0 Comments
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How Does Winter Weather Affect Your Vehicle’s Systems?

It’s no secret that winter can take a toll on any vehicle. Icy road surfaces, fluctuating temperatures, and just prolonged cold itself can each have negative effects on your vehicle’s systems, resulting in reduced efficiency, underperformance, and safety issues.

So how does winter stress your car’s systems, and what can you do to get the most from your vehicle during the winter months? Let’s take a look at a few key factors.
Tires
Your tires are your connection to the road and you rely on them for traction, especially in wet or icy conditions. But did you know that extreme cold can […]

By |November 13th, 2020|Main list|0 Comments
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Are Your Family Cars School Ready?

Whether you’ve spent your summer adventuring or staying close to home, the season’s high temperatures can put a strain on your family’s vehicles. Tires wear, lubricants lose viscosity, and coolant can become contaminated with dirt. Before the mercury dips and the roads become slick with wet leaves, now’s the perfect time to check that all your family vehicles are safe and road ready.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you get your vehicles up to spec.

Tires
Whether you’re driving your kids to middle school or sending them off to college, good tires are essential to the safe and efficient operation of […]

By |September 22nd, 2020|Main list|0 Comments
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IS YOUR SUMMER RIDE SUMMER-READY?

Summer’s almost here and it will soon be time to take to the roads for some outdoor adventure. But before you start packing, be sure that your summer ride is ready for the challenge. Whether you own a classic car, an off-roader, or a recreational vehicle, all motor vehicles need regular maintenance. If your summer ride has been mothballed during the off-season, here are some things to check before you hit the road.

 

Vehicles Idled by the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think about travel. If you’ve been furloughed from work or have been otherwise affected by a […]

By |May 29th, 2020|Main list|0 Comments
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GEARED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS VS. CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS (CVTs)

Transmissions have evolved since the early days of motoring, but one type of transmission that may not be immediately familiar to you is the continuously variable transmission (or CVT). First marketed in 1989, CVT systems power many of today’s vehicles, including the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Hybrid, Subaru Forester, and a range of Nissan and Infiniti models. But how does a CVT work, and how does it compare to traditional automatic transmissions? Let’s have a look.

Gears vs CVT: How They Work

The job of any transmission is twofold—to transfer power from the engine to the wheels of your vehicle, […]

By |February 25th, 2020|Main list|0 Comments
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FALL CAR CARE TIPS—BEST PRACTICES FOR HEADING INTO COOLER WEATHER

Now that the beach umbrellas and lawn chars are put away, it’s time to think about prepping your car for the harsher conditions to come. Autumn brings more volatile weather, leaf-covered roads, and for some, the first snows of the coming winter season. October is Fall Car Care Month and the ideal time to give your vehicle a fall fitness checkup.

Here are a few car care tips to get you ready for fall…

Check Your Tires

The quality and condition of your tires are critical to road traction and safety. When autumn leaves fall, they coat the pavement and roadways, often […]

By |October 29th, 2019|Main list|0 Comments
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HOW DO SUMMER TOWING AND HAULING AFFECT YOUR TRANSMISSION?

Summer vacation season is almost upon us, and if you’re like many Americans, you’ll likely be using your vehicle to tow a trailer, boat, or popup camper at least once during the vacation season. Whether you’re taking your speedboat to the launch or pulling a heavy camper up a mountain, heavier than usual workloads can put added strain on your car’s transmission.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the ways heavy hauling can damage your transmission. Then we’ll look at a few simple things you can do to keep your vehicle operating at peak performance.

Heavy Loads Can […]

By |June 14th, 2019|Main list|0 Comments
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5 SIGNS YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LOW… AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Most drivers don’t think about their auto transmissions until a problem arises. And by then, the only fix may be a costly transmission rebuild or replacement. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with regular maintenance and to recognize the early signs that your transmission might need some TLC.

Like your vehicle’s engine, your transmission relies on sufficient lubrication to function at its best. When transmission fluid is low or in need of replacement, your car’s transmission can suffer increased friction and decreased efficiency. Left untreated, the problem can lead to transmission failure and a major repair […]

By |March 7th, 2019|Main list|0 Comments
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